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DramaYear2016Duration4hIMDb7.5

An American Girl Story: Melody 1963 - Love Has to Win

DramaFamily

Melody is an irrepressible African-American girl whose vivid imagination and creativity reinforce her optimism. When shocking national events threaten her sense of security, Melody must find strength to restore her hope for a better world.

Trailer

Cast

Tina Mabry

Director

Marsai Martin

Melody Ellison

Idara Victor

Frances Ellison

Frances Fisher

Miss Abbot

Frankie Faison

Frank Ellison

Garrett McQuaid

Donald

DI

Dara Iruka

Lorraine

Lola Wayne Villa

Trish

Matthew Foster

Principal Davis

Briana Lane

Sales Clerk aka Val

Chuck McCollum

Store Manager

Rocky McMurray

Mr. Schuler

DB

Daija Bickham

Neighborhood Girl #1

SW

Skyelar Wesley

Neighborhood Girl #2

Libby Ewing

Mother in Store

Joelle Better

Daughter in Store

Isabel Myers

Mary Beth

Joshua Wilkinson

Male Bystander

EG

Errol Gillett

Church Choir

Alison McDonald

Writer

Comments

7 Comments

drmarymkandawireNov 23, 2025

Jp VanzylNov 23, 2025

Omar_nino_brownApr 28, 2023

Spiritually moving and inspires critical thinking. Well acted by a quality lead cast. Tough to watch because it speaks to critical matters of race relations, yet, well worth seeing.

Alex GonzagaApr 28, 2023

American Girl has a great way of tackling sensitive historical issues in a way that appropriately educates & entertains. Similar to the American Girls Addy, Josefina & Kaya in their depictions of young girls who lived through tumultuous cultural periods of American history, Melody is no exception & true to form. We see her innocent view of the world challenged as she increasingly becomes aware of the social injustices that surrounds her. But in true American Girl spirit, that innocence merges with an irrepressible spirit of determination, strength and the faith that good & love will always triumph in the end.

5 santimApr 28, 2023

I grew up in the 60's, although younger than the age of Melody. I dressed like her even down to the eyeglasses. I grew up in Indianapolis. This was very realistic! The majority of my white teachers cared. I'm from a two parent home and had a mother who was so loving but she also stood up for us and taught me to stand up for myself. I never saw this or even knew about this show. I'm so pleased and impressed by this excellent production! I have spent much of my creative life telling people in community theater and the musical productions I've been involved in, the real black experience. Thank you for the excellent job done here!!!

Ada SALIOU Apr 28, 2023

I was very disappointed by this movie. I've seen the other American Girl movies so I wasn't expecting it to completely faithful to the book. However, this film barely resembles the books besides having a main named Melody. First, the movie eliminates her siblings, father, friends, and grandmother, all important characters. Second, Melody's family is poor instead of lower middle class. Third, her personality is completely changed. Melody wants to be a astronaut and enjoys drawing in the film, while she is a singer and loves to garden in the books. Third, Melody goes to an all-white school. Why? Just to inject a litttle more racism, I guess. This film really missed the mark in its attempt to be a social justice warrior. It could've been so much more if it told Melody's story.

houssamelhadriApr 28, 2023

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