Sometimes it's a lucky break that makes an independent movie hit the big time, but in this case, it is a good old-fashioned work ethic and pride in high-quality cinema. With Five Sisters Productions, it's not just team work, it's work as a family.
Comprised of a mother and her five daughters, the Los Angeles-based company has tirelessly promoted "Manna From Heaven" for over a year. The mother, Gabrielle B. Burton, wrote the script, and after filming in 2001, Five Sisters Production did post-production in Southern Los Angeles, Buffalo and New York City. They began showing the film in festivals before its "opening" in Kansas, Missouri, and Washington D.C - where the film ran before Congress. Finally, it's time for the picture to open in Buffalo.
Speaking with co-director Maria Burton and actress Ursula Burton conveys the commitment and passion of the Burton sisters even more vividly. As sincere and grounded individuals, the Burtons spoke of their experience with "Manna From Heaven" with both fear and pride.
"So much rides on Buffalo now," Maria Burton said. "Every place we've gone, we've gotten more theaters. This is our first citywide big release. Depending on how we do here, that's how everyone else will decide whether or not to book it in their towns and theaters."
While viewers young and old have loved the film thus far, there is always the "apprehension and anxiety of showing it to a new crowd, particularly when the movie is filmed there," Ursula Burton said.
"Manna From Heaven" is a story of hope and redemption, much of which centers on Sister Theresa (Ursula Burton). Thirty years after a massive amount of money falls from the sky, and into the hands of her family, Theresa asserts that the cash was not a windfall, but a loan that God expected to be repaid when the family could better afford it. The comedy follows the conniving and convincing of the characters as they, through Theresa's diligence, realize what course of action they must take.
The cast is impressive, featuring an interesting cross-section of stars that have achieved great prestige in their careers. Wendy Malick, a Buffalo native and star of the television sitcom "Just Shoot Me," is featured, as well as Frank Gorshin - Batman's nemesis the Riddler. They star alongside actors and actresses with more awards than they know what to do with.
Academy Award Winner Louise Fletcher from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and fellow Oscar winners Shirley Jones, is memorable as the mothers of the Partridge Family and Cloris Leachman, respectively.
There is also an Oscar nominee (Seymour Cassel), a Tony nominee (Harry Groener), distinguished UB faculty (Vincent O'Neill), and flat-out outstanding players (Shelley Duvall and Faye Grant amongst others).
But how did the Burtons assemble such a distinguished cast?
"It's easier with each film," Maria Burton said. "The first time, you have to convince the people in the quality of your product. It's a large investment of money and time (for the cast)."
"Once you have something, it becomes a different organization or budget," she explained. "You meet your cast in different ways. Shelley Duvall saw one of our films and stood up to say 'I want to be in the next thing you do.' Things happen along those lines. The logistic problem with this film was to coordinate a schedule where all these people could be here to film at the same time."
As a city, Buffalo can stand a little taller today. Joining great sports moments, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens, is the Burton family, with their comedic, yet touching, "Manna From Heaven."
"Manna From Heaven" is rated PG and is showing at all four area Regal Cinemas, the Dipson Market Arcade downtown, and Depew's Flix Theatres, and opens today, with proceeds from one screening each night being donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
