David Brown (producer) debut, for a motion picture. Thereafter, the pair were credited as producers or executive producers of more than a dozen films, including the courtroom drama "The Verdict" (1982), directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Paul Newman; the science-fiction "Cocoon" (1985), directed by Ron Howard; and the comedy-drama "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989), directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman. "Driving Miss Daisy" won four Academy Awards, including the Best Picture award. Without Zanuck, Brown went on to produce films including the drama "Angela's Ashes" (1999) and the romance "Chocolat" (2000). He and partner Zanuck were jointly awarded
The Miss Firecracker Contest producing a positive message about self-confidence, courage, perseverance, and compassion pleased critics, who praised Henley for her quirky characters and warm messages. The play's popularity allowed for the production of "Miss Firecracker," the film version of this play, which was produced in 1989 directed by Thomas Schlamme and starring Holly Hunter. Hunter has been cast in many of Henley's plays in addition to "The Miss Firecracker Contest". The Miss Firecracker Contest The Miss Firecracker Contest is a Southern literature play written by Beth Henley. It was originally produced in Los Angeles in 1980 at the Victory Theater directed by Maria