In this made-for-TV drama,
Jessica Tandy plays Grace McQueen, an elderly woman who has grown bored and restless following the death of her husband. Grace has always loved telling stories to children, and as a way of keeping herself occupied she comes up with an idea for a public access television series in which she will read great children's books aloud. The show becomes a local favorite -- enough so that a pair of advertising executives approach her with the idea of selling the show to a major network. Grace agrees, but when the marketing experts and network brass are finished with the idea, the simple format of "The Story Lady" has been transformed into a garish program called "Granny Goodheart," and Grace must decide if she should pursue the money and success that's being offered to her or stand up for her ideals. The Story Lady also features
Stephanie Zimbalist,
Lisa Jakub,
Richard Masur, and Ed Begley, Jr.;
Tandy Cronyn,
Jessica Tandy's daughter, is appropriately cast as Meg, Grace's daughter. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide