DramaRomance

The Whole Wide World

- Based on a true story.

In 1930s Texas, pulp fiction master Robert E. Howard is introduced to Novalyne Price, a teacher with aspirations of becoming an author herself, and they begin a unique relationship filled with conversation and imagination. Although the possibility exists for romance, Howard's obsession with his work and dedication to his sick mother leads Price to look elsewhere for love, leaving Howard feeling betrayed and alone.

Release Date : 1996-09-08

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company :

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Robert E. Howard

Original Name : Vincent D'Onofrio

Gender : Male

Character Name : Novalyne Price

Original Name : Renée Zellweger

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mrs. Howard

Original Name : Ann Wedgeworth

Gender : Female

Character Name : Dr. Howard

Original Name : Harve Presnell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Clyde Smith

Original Name : Benjamin Mouton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Enid

Original Name : Helen Cates

Gender : Female

Character Name : Ethel

Original Name : Leslie Buesing

Gender : Male

Character Name : Truett

Original Name : Chris Shearer

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mammy

Original Name : Sandy Walper

Gender : Male

Character Name : Woman on Bus

Original Name : Marion Eaton

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mrs. Hemphill

Original Name : Dell Aldrich

Gender : Male

Character Name : Etna Reed Price

Original Name : Libby Villari

Gender : Female

Character Name : Booth Adams

Original Name : Michael Corbett

Gender : Male

Character Name : Teacher

Original Name : Antonia Bogdanovich

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mrs. Smith

Original Name : Elizabeth D'Onofrio

Gender : Female

Character Name : Director

Original Name : Stephen Marshall

Gender : Male

Character Name : Wolf

Original Name : Bridgett

Gender : Male

Reviews

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2021-06-23

Dating Conan the Barbarian’s creator in the heart of Texas in 1934-1936 Released in 1996, the movie focuses on budding writer Novalyne Price Ellis (Renée Zellweger) and her experiences with famous pulp writer, Robert E. Howard (Vincent D'Onofrio), creator of Conan the barbarian and other characters, like Kull, Solomon Kane and Red Sonya. The events take place in central Texas (Cross Plains and Brownwood) during the last two years of Howard’s life, 1934-1936, and are based on Novalyne’s memoirs “One Who Walked Alone” and “Day of the Stranger: Further Memories of Robert E. Howard.” Ann Wedgeworth is on hand as Robert’s sickly mother. Howard’s great imagination and expertise with words made him “the greatest pulp fiction writer in the whole wide world,” as he was known. Unfortunately he died way too young at the age of 30 but, thankfully, he was prolific and so we have a lot of material by him to enjoy. It has always been a mystery to me why this talented man died the way he did, but this film gives life to REH’s last two years and helps the viewer understand what happened. This is a true-life drama with elements of romance consisting of the simple way of life of a writer, his parents and friends in the plains of central Texas in the mid-30s. Most of the sequences take place at the quaint Howard abode, the theater in Brownwood, the school where Novalyne taught and, mostly, Robert & Novalyne driving the desolate landscapes or walking and talking, sometimes in conflict. In other words, this is a simple drama. The potency comes with the subject matter, Robert E. Howard. I found the drama gripping as insights emerge in the dialogues and other sequences. The film runs 1 hour, 51 minutes and was shot in the heart of Texas (Austin, Bartlett, Bastrop and Rockne). GRADE: A-