1994 saw “Kathryn” making her 1st on-screen appearance in Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All (to give it its full title). Sort of. It was actually her 4th film but she’d previously she’d been credited as “Kathy” 
So what is Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All about? Well, it’s about a widow, of a confederate soldier, still living, but very old, telling all. I think that about covers it. On to the pictures
Sorry, you’ll have to read a bit more first
At nearly 3 hours long this is more of a mini-series than a TV movie. I would imagine that for most showings it is broadcast in 2 to 4 parts.
We first see our widow, Lucy Honicut, as a teenage girl, and young teenager at that, who meets an already middle aged man, Captain William Marsden (Donald Sutherland) who fought in the American Civil War as young man. The film is the story of their life together as told by Lucy. Diane Lane plays Lucy for most of the film, covering her life from 14 to old age. Much make-up is used to make the not even 30 at the time Diane look more than twice that. A lack of make-up probably makes her look like a young girl at the start.
Anne Bancroft takes on the role of the present day Lucy, now 100 years old and living in a retirement home. Kathryn plays a careworker in the home. Kathryn as “Zundro” (real name Sandra) spends time talking to Lucy, listening to her stories. This gives us the flashbacks to Lucy’s earlier life, putting Kathryn in what is now familiar territory for her as Det. Rush.
Zundro is clearly set up to contrast the lives that women have today and those that they had less than 100 years ago. Her insisting on going by the odd name, the nose stud, the many hair dos and the outlandish clothing choices are signs of the freedom women have rightfully gained. Couple that with the naïveté of a teenager about the ways of the world in the early 1900s compared to girls now.
Speaking of the hair dos: Kathryn must have set some sort of record here. In only a few minutes of on-screen time Zundro has 5 distinctly different hairstyles. What’s more she only has 3 different outfits. Surely that can’t be right? Normally in movies it is lots of outfits and only a couple of different hairstyles. Isn’t it?
Kathryn gets to use her lovely southern accent and beaming smile throughout and looks very cute in her shorts (legs!) and cropped tops. I’m really not sure about the centre parting and bows look though (above right).
The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All was nominated for a variety of awards and won 4 Emmys. One of the Emmy’s was for “Outstanding Individual Achievement in Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special”. Wonder if Zundro’s collection had anything to do with that?
170 not as great as I’d like quality screencaps and a couple of small video clips can now be found in the Gallery.
She looks so young there, I have to say that it’s a good thing she doesn’t go by the name,” Kathy”, anymore. It sounds so old to me.
I saw this movie a long time ago. What amazes me is that Kathryn has come so far, from doing this movie to where she is today.
Wait… does KM have a natural southern accent? I’m confused. 😮 haha!
Aww, she looks so different in these, hahaha and the 90’s definitely had some interesting style choices… but that was my favorite decade so I can’t complain. 😀
I don’t think Kathryn has a natural Southern accent, she’s not exactly from that part of the country. She does seem very good at it and it nice to listen to her speak with it.
Kathryn has more a midwest accent, than anything else.
Haha, that’s what I had thought so that’s why I was confused when I read southern accent. :p