Movie Based on Terry Kay Book Moves Audience

It was almost like a movie premiere. There wasn’t a red carpet walk and Duluth Patch was the only paparazzi there, but local celebrities including Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris and leaders in the arts community turned out to see a showing of “To Dance With the White Dog” Friday (March 11) night at the Red Clay Theatre. The movie tenderly depicts a family dealing with their aging father after their mother dies.

The showing of the Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie was part of the Duluth Fine Arts League's Duluth Reads project, which encourages the community to read the same book and discuss it. Starring Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, the movie was filmed on location in Americus, GA. Cronyn won an Emmy for his portrayal of Georgia pecan farmer Sam Peek in the movie.

It was the second of three Duluth Reads events sponsored by DFAL. The Duluth community will have an opportunity to meet the book’s author Terry Kay during a at 11 a.m. March 19 in the Community Room at Duluth City Hall. The first event was a book talk and discussion at the Duluth Branch of the Gwinnett Public Library March 3 at which Kay made a surprise appearance.

Movie-goers sipped wine, nibbled on cheese and fruit, and mingled in the Red Clay Theatre lobby before the movie was shown.

Harris welcomed the 50 to 60 attendees after they were seated and waiting for the movie to start. “I’m delighted to see so many people here,” she said. Kay’s book was selected for the community reading project, Harris said, because it is a southern classic and family-oriented. The book and the movie appeal to all ages, she said.

Harris recognized the sponsors, whose support allowed all three Duluth Reads events to be free and open to the public, and members of the Duluth Reads committee. Sponsors included Duluth Councilman Billy Jones, Tidwell Alfa Insurance Agency, Duluth Fine Wines and Spirits, Chocolate Perks, Gwinnett County Public Library System, and the City of Duluth.

DFAL was formed in November 2008 by Harris. “Our purpose,” she said, “is to educate and engage the community in cultural activities.” The organization also sponsors monthly “First Friday Art Walks,” “Arts at Twilight” in July and a “Holiday Walking Tour of Homes” in December. Proceeds fund scholarships to Duluth seniors planning to pursue art careers. DFAL awarded two $1,500 scholarships last year and is now accepting applications for this year. Application forms are available online. 

Kay's book, and the movie, too, is a love story between Sam and his wife of 57 years Cora. A mysterious white dog starts appearing to Sam after Cora suddenly dies and stays with him until just before his own death. Initially, Sam is the only one who can see the white dog, but eventually his family begins to see the dog, too. A touching relationship develops between Sam and the white dog. It turns out that the white dog is really Cora, who assumed the form of the white dog to watch over him.

The book, published in 1990, is based on Kay's experiences with his father. The movie premiered on The Hallmark Channel in 1993. Stars Tandy and Cronyn are now both deceased, which made the movie even more poignant.

Harris announced that Kay released a new book in March. It’s another love story, and it’s titled “Bogmeadow’s Wish: A Love Story Set in Ireland.”