The Dollmaker (1984)

During World War II hardluck farmer Colvis Nevels leaves his rural Kentucky home to take a factory job in bustling Detroit Reluctantly accompanying Colvis is his longsuffering wife Gertie a talented woodcarver set in her traditional ways When the perils of city life and Colvis reckless squandering of money send the Nevels into precarious financial straits Gertie starts a business making handcarved dolls in order to provide for her family