Promises in the Dark (film)

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Promises in the Dark
Promises in the Dark poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJerome Hellman
Written byLoring Mandel
Produced byJerome Hellman
StarringMarsha Mason
Ned Beatty
Susan Clark
Michael Brandon
Kathleen Beller
CinematographyAdam Holender
Edited byBob Wyman
Music byLeonard Rosenman
Production
company
Jerome Hellman Productions
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Orion Pictures
Release date
  • November 2, 1979 (1979-11-02)
Running time
118 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million[1]

Promises in the Dark is a 1979 American drama film directed by Jerome Hellman and written by Loring Mandel. The film stars Marsha Mason, Ned Beatty, Susan Clark, Michael Brandon, Kathleen Beller and Paul Clemens. The film was released by Warner Bros. and Orion Pictures on November 2, 1979.[2][3][4]

Plot[]

Numbed by career demands and a recent divorce, Dr. Alexandra Kendall (Marsha Mason) hides behind a hard shell of professional detachment. Then she treats Buffy Koenig (Kathleen Beller), a dying 17-year-old cancer patient who reawakens Kendall to life's possibilities. Eventually, Buffy's deteriorating condition forces Dr. Kendall to weigh the consequences of keeping a promise she made to her.

Cast[]

Actor Role
Marsha Mason Dr. Alexandra Kendall
Ned Beatty Bud Koenig
Susan Clark Fran Koenig
Michael Brandon Dr. Jim Sandman
Kathleen Beller Elizabeth (Buffy) Koenig
Paul Clemens Gerry Hulin
Donald Moffat Dr. Walter McInerny
Philip Sterling Dr. Frucht
Bonnie Bartlett Nurse Farber
James Noble Dr. Blankenship
Arthur Rosenberg Emergency Room Doctor
Peggy McCay Miss Pritikin
Robert Doran Alan
Lenora May Sue
Alexandra Johnson Ellie
Fran Bennett Emergency Room Nurse
Eloise Hardt Woman in Restaurant
Bernie Kuby Tony in Bud's Office
Karen Anders Secretary in Bud's Office
Edith Fields Mrs. Gans
Alice Beardsley Mrs. Keyes

Production[]

Writer Loring Mandel conceived the story for Promises in the Dark while he was employed as head writer on the daytime drama Love of Life. When the soap's executive producer Darryl Hickman rejected the idea, Mandel quit the show and developed the plot into a feature screenplay.

The project was initially in development at United Artists, with actress Elizabeth Ashley cast in the starring role and John Schlesinger set to direct, with Arnold Schulman and Jerome Hellman producing. However, with the exception of Hellman, no one remained with the project, and the project was inactive for many years. Arthur Krim, chairman at the newly formed Orion Pictures, selected the script as one of the company’s first projects on the strength of Hellman’s previous productions, such as Midnight Cowboy and Coming Home. In addition to serving as producer, Hellman served as director.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ "AFI Catalog : PROMISES IN THE DARK (1979)". Catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ Canby, Vincent (1979-11-02). "Movie Review - Promises in the Dark - Screen: 'Promises In the Dark' Opens:Illness as Disaster". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  3. ^ "Promises In The Dark (1979) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  4. ^ "Promises in the Dark". Variety.com. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
  5. ^ "NEWS OF THE RIALTO; Conversion of 'World of Henry Orient' —Brisson Rejuvenates 'Alfie'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-07-17.

External links[]


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