<Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $95.9 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Steel Magnolias is a 1989 American comedy - drama film directed by Herbert Ross . It is a film adaptation of Robert Harling's 1987 play of the same name . The play and film are about the bond a group of women share in a small - town Southern community, and how they cope with the death of one of their own . </P> <P> The story is based on Robert Harling's real life experience of the death of his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, in 1985 due to complications from Type 1 diabetes . He changed his sister's name in the story from Susan to Shelby Eatenton - Latcherie . </P> <P> The title suggests the main female characters can be both as delicate as the magnolia flower, and as tough as steel . </P>

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