Who is Terry Ryan? Famous Prizewinner Daughter Dies : Woody Harrelson and Julianne Moore Do the Movie

Terry Ryan, wrote the book "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio". Her compelling story later became a movie about how her mother supported 10 kids and a husband by writing jingles for contests. The movie features Woody Harrelson and Julianne Moore playing the roles of Evelyn Ryan and her alcoholic husband. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is a great read for anyone interested in marketing, promotions, sweepstakes, contests and the impact of businesses sponsoring consumer participation in advertising.

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is an inspirational and poignant story not only for people who enter promotions as a hobby, but anyone who has struggles with financially supporting several kids with little emotional support from their spouse. Additionally, Terry Ryan shows how her mother's love was creative enough to find creative ways to earn money at home and be able to fulfill her parenting duties as well. From strong mothers, come strong daughters and sons, and Terry Ryan illustrates how a mother's strong motivation to feed her kids positively impacted many lives.

You probably never heard of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, let alone seen it, despite the fact that it stars big names like Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson. Laura Dern plays a minor, but important, character as well.

If you like true stories, or have any interest at all in the world of sweepstakes and contests, then this is a movie worth watching. This movie is based on the true story of Evelyn Ryan (played by Julianne Moore) and how she literally supported her family of 12 (herself, 10 kids and alcoholic husband) by writing contest jingles. She had a knack, a flair, and a talent for just the right words. But more importantly she proves "where there is a will, there is a way".

The story is based on the book written by Evelyn's daughter Terry Ryan. It takes place primarily in the 50's and Evelyn is the typical and stereotyped retro housewife complete with pretty print dresses and ladylike demeanor. She always has a baby in her arms or one on the way, and growing children to contend with and feed. And yes, food is important in this movie because Evelyn spends most of her motherhood trying to get food on the table for her kids, even if it means winning useless prizes she can sell to get money for things like food and electricity. Woody Harrelson, who plays the part of the husband, Kelly Ryan, is more of a presence than a driving force in the movie. He reveals more by what he doesn't do, than what he does. His facial expressions speak louder than his words. Woody's character is the backsplash to the spirit and force and strength of Julianne Moore's character.

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio's most disturbing and powerful scene involves bottled milk and shattered glass. I won't spoil it for you, but I will say this scene captures the essence of Evelyn's character. Throughout the movie we see her struggle, however we don't see her with many sad faces, in fact it is the opposite. She smiles often and forgives and forgets. Evelyn may frustrate any person of this day and age and make you question why a woman would stay in a marriage that undermined her every effort. But as the movie progresses, our belief in Evelyn's sincerity strengthens. Those smiles are real, they don't seem like an actor's smile. There is hope and compassion and endurance because this woman loves her family and is determined to make things work. The forgiveness is real, and the good disposition and joy this woman exudes is genuine. Julianne Moore got it right and even if the movie isn't powerful, that character is, and it all feels genuine.

Watching The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio from the eyes of a person who enters sweepstakes or contests, or is involved with creating marketing promotions, the movie gives a glimpse into the evolution of the jingle contest. It shows how contests were advertised on television and viewers were given a wordless jingle where they were to fill in the blanks. Thousands of entries would be sent in from all over the country and winners would be chosen. It was entertaining to see how a contest would limit one entry per person, so Evelyn would send in entries for her entire family, and sometimes a toddler may have the winning jungle! She followed the rules and exploited them to the fullest. It shows groups of contest housewives who banned together in monthly meetings to share gossip and contest tips over coffee and cake. Then a strange thing happened. The world of marketing changed with the advent of the sweepstakes. The sweepstakes was no longer a potential dream based on talent or skill, but more like a random lottery. Evelyn saw it coming and by the time it came, she had a good run, having won numerous cash prizes and cars and groceries and hundreds of other oddities. Her world of jingle writing was becoming extinct.

If it wasn't for Terry Ryan's book The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, the world may never have known of Evelyn Ryan's existence. The movie is ultimately uplifting and inspirational, and what it lacks in movie finesse it makes up for in learning about human nature and forgiveness. Try watching The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio without judging the woman, and taking what positive experiences you can learn about strengthening relationships and showing compassion to your family.
Many people who read he Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, think the book is better than the movie. But isn't that usually the case with most books? In any case, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is worth watching if you are interested in marketing or contests, like movies based on true stories, like to escape into a 50's retro movie, enjoy something inspirational, or just like to see Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson on the big screen.

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is a tribute to a remarkable woman, and rightly so.

To learn more about the real life of Evelyn Ryan and the author, her daughter Terry Ryan
visit these sites:

Evelyn Ryan Website
http://evelynryan.com/Site/evelynryan.html

Movie Synopsis

http://lime.gofishpictures.com/prizewinner/synopsis.html

official website
where you can also read a foreword by Suze Orman
http://www.theprizewinner.com/theprizewinnerofdefiance.html

a sample chapter

and questions and answers by the author
http://www.theprizewinner.com/q&a.html

Fresno Bee's article on Terry passing

http://www.fresnobee.com/384/story/48337.html