The Gathering (1977 film)

The Gathering
The Gathering
Genre	Drama
Written by	James Poe
Directed by	Randal Kleiser
Starring	Edward Asner; Maureen Stapleton; Rebecca Balding; Sarah Cunningham; Bruce Davison; Veronica Hamel; Gregory Harrison; James Karen; Lawrence Pressman; John Randolph; Gail Strickland; Edward Winter; Stephanie Zimbalist
Composer	John Barry
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producer	Joseph Barbera
Producer
Production locations	Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Hudson, Ohio
Cinematography
Editor
Running time	94 minutes
Production company	Hanna-Barbera Productions
Distributor	Worldvision Enterprises
Release
Original network	ABC
Picture format	Color
Audio format	Mono
Original release	December 4, 1977;

The Gathering is a 1977 American made-for-television movie about a dying executive who arranges a final Christmas reunion with his estranged wife and adult children. It was directed by Randal Kleiser and stars Edward Asner and Maureen Stapleton.^[1]

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 them and have one last reunion. He confides this information to his estranged wife, Kate (Maureen Stapleton). But when his doctor says that it won't be good for him to travel, she suggests that he should call his four adult children and invite them all for Christmas.

He agrees only with the provision that they not be told of his illness and imminent death. The only problem is that most of them are not exactly fond of him because he walked out on Kate and has a stubborn nature. Of them, he is most nervous about seeing Bud (Gregory Harrison), whom he hasn't spoken to since having an argument with him regarding the Vietnam War and his move to Canada several years before.

Cast[]

Edward Asner as Adam
Maureen Stapleton as Kate
Rebecca Balding as Julie
Sarah Cunningham as Clara
Bruce Davison as George
Veronica Hamel as Helen
Gregory Harrison as Bud Jr.
James Karen as Bob Block
Lawrence Pressman as Tom
John Randolph as Dr. Hodges
Gail Strickland as Peggy
Edward Winter as Roger
Stephanie Zimbalist as Toni

Sequel[]

The film was followed by the 1979 sequel The Gathering, Part II, which picked up two years after Adam's death (Asner did not appear in it), and largely concerned Kate's relationship with a new man (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.).^[2]

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)

Home media releases[]

The film was released on DVD in Christmas 2009 by Warner Archive. This is a Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) release, available through Warner's online store and Amazon.com.

References[]

^ Sennett, Ted (1989). The Art of Hanna-Barbera: Fifty Years of Creativity. Studio. p. 258. ISBN 978-0670829781. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
^ Sennett, Ted (1989). The Art of Hanna-Barbera: Fifty Years of Creativity. Studio. p. 259. ISBN 978-0670829781. Retrieved 2 June 2020.

External links[]

[1] Sennett, Ted (1989). The Art of Hanna-Barbera: Fifty Years of Creativity. Studio. p. 258. ISBN 978-0670829781. Retrieved 2 June 2020.

[2] Sennett, Ted (1989). The Art of Hanna-Barbera: Fifty Years of Creativity. Studio. p. 259. ISBN 978-0670829781. Retrieved 2 June 2020.

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