<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> <P> Annelle Dupuy, a reserved beauty school graduate, is hired by Truvy Jones to work in her home - based beauty salon in northwestern Louisiana . At the same time, in another part of the neighborhood, M'Lynn Eatenton, and her daughter, Shelby, are preparing for Shelby's wedding, which is taking place later that day . They arrive, along with Clairee Belcher, the cheerful widow of the former mayor, to have their hair done . Suddenly, Shelby, who has type 1 diabetes, falls into a hypoglycemic state, but recovers quickly with the help of her mother's quick thinking . Later that afternoon, short - tempered, grouchy, and sarcastic Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreaux arrives in the salon and questions Annelle about where she has moved from, forcing Annelle to reveal that her husband has recently left her while fleeing the police, taking all their money and their car . Moved by Annelle's emotional confession, Shelby invites her to the wedding, where Annelle meets Sammy DeSoto, who is tending bar . </P>

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