During World War II, hard-luck farmer Colvis Nevels leaves his rural Kentucky home to take a factory job in bustling Detroit. Reluctantly accompanying Colvis is his long-suffering wife, Gertie, a talented woodcarver set in her traditional ways. When the perils of city life and Colvis' reckless squandering of money send the Nevels into precarious financial straits, Gertie starts a business making hand-carved dolls in order to provide for her family.
Jane FondaGertie Nevels
Levon HelmClovis
Amanda PlummerMamieSusan KingsleySophronie
Ann HearnMaxRobert SwanVictor (as Bob Swan)
Geraldine PageMrs. KendrickJason YearwoodReubenDavid Brady WilsonEnochStarla WhaleyClytieDavid DawsonAmos
Nikki CreswellCassie
Raymond SerraJoe
Dan HedayaSkyros
Christine EbersoleMiss Vashinski
