Tramp at the Door is the story of a stranger (Ed McNamara, perfect in this role) who charlatans his way into a family in 1930's Manitoba by claiming to be a long-unseen cousin of the father (August Schellenberg). He tells a great wealth of stories of the father's relatives which may or may not be phooey, but enrapture the family despite their suspicions he's nothing more than a hobo. The enormous charm and wealth of spirit in the stranger, calling himself Gustav, helps him to practically become a member of the family, and inspires the daughter, future Francophone writer Gabrielle Roy, towards storytelling. Very well acted and beautifully shot, this is one of the best TV-movies I've ever seen, and should be on your watch list of you're a fan of period dramas like Days of Heaven.
Review of Tramp at the Door
Tramp at the Door
(1985 TV Movie)
Warm and endearing exploration of storytelling, hucksters, and family history
17 August 2011