The Unsinkable Molly Brown

If you haven’t seen it in a while, or maybe you have never seen it at all, this weekend would be a good time to rent or buy this movie.  The Unsinkable Molly Brown is the story of an orphan who survived a flood as a baby to become a woman who survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.  She came from very little materially or financially but made a life of wealth and comfort after marrying a man who stumbled onto a gold mine on his Colorado land.

It isn’t really a story about monetary success as much as it is a story of triumph over adversity, and perseverance to never let life get her down no matter what came her way.  The movie tells this story in the context of a musical that will make you want to sing and dance right along with Molly and J.J. Brown.  And you can’t help but root for Molly and how she handles herself and helps others in Lifeboat No.6 after the Titanic went down.

According to Wikipedia:

“The Titanic sank early on April 15, 1912, at around 2:20 a.m., after striking an iceberg at around 11:40 p.m. Brown helped others board the lifeboats but was finally persuaded to leave the ship in Lifeboat No. 6. Brown was later called “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” by authors because she helped in the ship’s evacuation, taking an oar herself in her lifeboat and urging that the lifeboat go back and save more people. Her urgings were met with opposition from Quartermaster Robert Hichens, the crewman in charge of Lifeboat 6. Hichens was fearful that if they went back, the lifeboat would either be pulled down due to suction or the people in the water would swamp the boat in an effort to get in. After several attempts to urge Hichens to turn back, Brown threatened to throw the crewman overboard.  Sources vary as to whether the boat went back and if they found anyone alive. Brown’s efforts sealed her place in history, regardless.”

After surviving the Titanic she went on to much philanthropy, and working to correct social injustices of the time.  She is even credited with having been responsible for helping to start the U.S. Juvenile Court System in her effort to help destitute children.  She was quite a woman, that Molly Brown.

While the movie takes obvious liberties in telling her story, it is a charming rendition of the life of a fine woman who came from little and made a big difference.

As we approach the 107th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on April 15th, enjoy this tribute to one of it’s greatest survivors.  It is truly the story of love, joy and a very abundant life.