Vastly superior to the more recent version with Patty Duke, based on Truman Capote's autobiographical piece of the same title (originally published in conjunction with Breakfast at Tiffanys).
Geraldine Page is absolutely magnificent as Sook, the simple but loving companion of Buddy, Capote's young self, a lonely boy not yet corrupted by the realities of life. This moving story of their special relationship revolves around the annual event of baking large numbers fruit cakes to give as Christmas presents to everyone from friendly passing acquaintances to the president of the United States.
Living as they do in near poverty, dependent on the seemingly grudging support of uninterested (?) family members, they must scrounge and forage for the necessary ingredients to make the cakes. Particularly touching is their visit to the local bootlegger to purchase a bottle of whiskey. Frightened tho they are of approaching this intimidating character, they screw their courage to the sticking place to achieve their goal, with a surprising result.
As a young teen, I happened to read this story shortly before seeing the television presentation. It was a real emotional double whammy to experience the sensitive story of the love between these two 'outcasts', first on the page and then upon the TV screen. Surprisingly, I also got to see it on the movie screen several years later, 1972 or 1973, in a southern CA movie theater, where it was, if I recall correctly, shown before a screening of The Devils. Strange, very strange, double bill!
Page, of course, was brilliant in her portrayal of this 'cracked teacup', her ability to allow a character to be as vulnerable, yet strong in some surprising ways, has never in my opinion seen its equal in any actor. And the young actor, Donnie Melvin as Buddy, delivers a performance of heart aching innocence so fine that it cannot help but thaw the meanest Christmas Scrooge.