One of the most popular movies of the 1950's was FRIENDLY PERSUASION. Directed by William Wyler, this 1956 film starred Gary Cooper, Anthony Perkins, Dorothy McGuire, Richard Eyer, Peter Mark Richman and Phyllis Love.

Based on Jessamyn Wests novel "The Friendly Persuasion", the story details the experiences of a family of Indiana Quakers in 1862. As the Civil War rages, the Birdwells are forced to wrestle with their pacifist convictions.

FRIENDLY PERSUASION was nominated for six Academy Awards, and in 1957, it won the Golden Palm Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Unlike many other older titles, FRIENDLY PERSUASION is available in DVD format and has been available in VHS since the mid 1980s.

Phyllis Love played Mattie Birdwell, the 16-year-old daughter of Quaker patriarch Jess Birdwell. After retiring from acting in the early 70's, she changed her name to "Osanna" and now lives in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles with her husband, Alan Gooding

Osanna appeared in numerous classic TV programs including THE TWILIGHT ZONE, GUNSMOKE and THE FUGITIVE and captured parts in three other films, the most notable being the role of Dick Clark's wife in THE YOUNG DOCTORS (1961).

She enjoyed outstanding success on Broadway, appearing in eight shows and in 1951 winning the New York Charles Derwent Award for the years most outstanding actress for her portrayal of Rosa Delle Rosa in the original production of THE ROSE TATOO.

With all that she's accomplished, Osanna considers her role as "Mattie Birdwell" the "apex" of her career.

In Spring and Summer of 2001, the retired actress shared her memories of working in FRIENDLY PERSUASION with freelance writer Chris Williams. The text of that fascinating interview begins on page 2.