Peege

Wow, I haven't thought of this short film in years! It was shown to me and others back in grade school, or maybe junior high, as a "message film" I suppose about not discarding the elderly. I guess it was very popular and well known back there in the 1970s and 1980s. I remember it being very touching and well done, though probably rather maudlin. But if nothing else it is a sweet and moving premise, not to brush aside an elderly person, who still has plenty of feelings and memories in her. I guess i couldn't help but see my own experiences with grandma in the film, so in that sense it just yanks on your heartstrings determined to get you to cry! I would love to get my hands on it to see it again!

I first saw "Peege" as a junior in high school in 1979 in my English class. It was one of those message film shorts made in the 1970's. But for me it was much more. Filled with the usual TV movie moments, but it also had a spirited performance by the superior Jeanette Nolan. I remember looking around the classroom seeing my classmates tear up quite a bit, guys too! This is a great film short that everybody should see at least once in their lifetime. TV regulars William Schallert (The Patty Duke Show)and Barbara Rush (Magnificent Obsession, Bigger Than Life) aptly play the upper middle class parents. Rounding out the cast is David Alan Bailey (Room 222, The Andy Griffith Show as younger brother Jerry, and (the perennialy overlooked) Bruce Davison as Greg. Davison shines here as the oldest son who fondly remembers the better times with his ebullient grandmother Peege. It is now on DVD!

I've seen this several times, and, although it's not particularly lengthy, it's quite poignant. It reminds me of my own grandmother who developed Altzheimer's disease in her 70's, and the memories I had of her when she used to invite me often for a weekend. I would travel on two buses from the South end of Seattle to Queen Anne Hill. It was a time of great bonding, and my greatest memories of her. But when I last saw her on her 89th birthday, she didn't even know who I was, nor that it was her birthday. Seeing the grandson remember how vibrant his grandmother was in the past always causes me to cry when I watch this movie.

I first saw this short in high school. It has a VERY powerful message. I was able to make a copy of it for my libary. The story follows a family trip to visit Peege(Jeanette Nolan), an elderly aunt that is now in a nursing home. We see the nursing home during the Christmas season. We enter the home and see the rooms and residents and we can almost experience the smells and drabness of the "old folk home". Greg (Bruce Davison) is the oldest son that has flashbacks to his times with Peege when he was young. While the rest of the family makes small talk to Peege who can not communicate well, Greg remembers the fun and special time he and Peege shared. The trip ends with the family eager to leave, while Greg stays behind for a moment to see the light in Peeges eyes that SHE does understand the special bond they shared. While this short is somewhat time dated, the images and emotion it invokes are timeless.

Contact your local Community College, as often they have a copy for their humanities class.

See it and expect to be moved.

I wish it was on DVD.

I first saw this as a kid, and continue to watch it every year at Christmas on my home-made videotape. It's a nostalgic, sad Christmas piece about a family who visits their Grandmother (Peege) in a nursing home. No one wants to be there except the oldest son, who remembers old times with Peege and helps bring a smile to her face. It is very touching and reeks of the '70s. I hope it comes out on video or DVD someday.