The Gathering (1977 film)
Encyclopedia
The Gathering is a 1977 ABC
made for television drama film. A rare live-action drama film from the Hanna-Barbera
studios, it was directed by Randal Kleiser
and starring Edward Asner and Maureen Stapleton
.
. He agrees only with the provision that they not be told of his illness and imminent death. The only problem is that most of his family are not exactly fond of him because he walked out on his wife and because of his stubborn nature. Of his four children, Adam is most nervous about seeing Bud Thornton (Gregory Harrison) whom he hasn't spoken to since having an argument regarding the Vietnam War and his moving to Canada, several years prior.
).
released the televised film in Christmas 2009 as part of their on-demand Warner Archive DVD line.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
made for television drama film. A rare live-action drama film from the Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
studios, it was directed by Randal Kleiser
Randal Kleiser
John Randal Kleiser is an American film director and producer, perhaps best known for directing the 1978 musical film Grease.-Life and career:...
and starring Edward Asner and Maureen Stapleton
Maureen Stapleton
Maureen Stapleton was an American actress in film, theater and television.-Early life:Stapleton was born Lois Maureen Stapleton in Troy, New York, the daughter of Irene and John P. Stapleton, and grew up in a strict Irish American Catholic family...
.
Plot
Adam Thornton (Edward Asner), an ill-tempered executive who walked out on his family, learns that he only has a little time left to live. He decides that he wants to make peace with his family and have one last reunion. He confides this information to his estranged wife Kate Thornton (Maureen Stapleton). But when his doctor says that it won't be good for him to travel, she suggests that he call his four adult children and invite them all for ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
. He agrees only with the provision that they not be told of his illness and imminent death. The only problem is that most of his family are not exactly fond of him because he walked out on his wife and because of his stubborn nature. Of his four children, Adam is most nervous about seeing Bud Thornton (Gregory Harrison) whom he hasn't spoken to since having an argument regarding the Vietnam War and his moving to Canada, several years prior.
Sequel
The TV film was followed in 1979 by a sequel, which picked up some time after Thornton's death (Asner did not appear in the sequel), and largely concerned Kate's relationship with a new man (played by Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.
Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. is an American actor known for his starring roles in the television series 77 Sunset Strip and The F.B.I. He is also known as recurring character "Dandy Jim Buckley" in the series Maverick and as the voice behind the character Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: The Animated Series...
).
Awards
- Nomination for and won Emmy for Outstanding Special - Drama or Comedy
- Nomination for Emmy - Outstanding Art Direction for a Dramatic Special Jan Scott (art director) Anne D. McCulley (set Director)
- Nomination for Emmy - Outstanding Directing in a Special Program Drama or Comedy
- Nomination for Emmy - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama or Comedy Special Maureen Stapleton
- Outstanding Writing in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy James Poe (writer)
DVD release
Warner Bros.Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
released the televised film in Christmas 2009 as part of their on-demand Warner Archive DVD line.