Promotional poster for Melody 1963: Love Has to Win.
Melody 1963: Love Has to Win is a BeForever film focusing on Melody Ellison.
Cast[]
Starring
- Marsai Martin as Melody Ellison
- Idara Victor as Frances Ellison
- Frances Fisher as Miss Abbot
- Frankie Faison as Frank Ellison[1]
Supporting cast
- Garrett McQuaid as Donald
- Dara Iruka as Lorraine
- Lola Wayne Villa as Trish
- Matthew Foster as Principal Davis
- Briana Lane as Sales Clerk aka Val
- Chuck McCollum as Store Manager
- Rocky McMurray as Mr. Schuler
- Daija Bickham as Neighborhood Girl #1
- Skyelar Wesley as Neighborhood Girl #2
- Libby Ewing as Mother in Store
- Joelle Better as Daughter in Store
Plot[]
Book Plots Included in the Film[]
Book and Movie Differences[]
- In the movie, Melody's family structure is radically different. She is an only child and her mother, Frances, is a single mother; Melody's father has passed away. Frank Porter's last name is also given as Ellison, implying that he might have been her paternal grandfather instead of maternal, and Melody's cousins and grandmother also do not appear in the movie.
- In the movie, Melody does not have a dog, although she wants one.
Characterization Differences[]
- In the movie, Melody enjoys creating costumes, and creates an astronaut costume using a portable hairdryer. This is not a trait in the books.
Errors and Inaccuracies[]
Digital Release[]
The movie was released on Amazon Prime Video on October 21, 2016.
Items Associated With the Movie[]
Trivia[]
- Garrett McQuaid's character was originally named Douglas, but Tara Sorenson, the head of Amazon Studios, mistakenly read the name as Donald when reading Alison McDonald's script.[2]
- A yellow sleeveless floral print dress which was worn by Kit in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl appeared in this movie.
References[]
- ↑ While the Deadline Hollywood article mentions Frankie Faison's role as Melody's grandfather Frank Ellison, it is not known if this is an original character or if the character is intended to be Frank Porter.
- ↑ 'American Girl' dresses down racist 'Donald' in new Amazon film, nydailynews.com, accessed October 26, 2016.