The Gathering (1977 film)

The Gathering is a 1977 American made-for-television drama film produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for ABC. It is 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]

The Gathering
GenreDrama
Written byJames Poe
Directed byRandal Kleiser
StarringEdward 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
ComposerJohn Barry
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerJoseph Barbera
ProducerHarry R. Sherman
Production locationsChagrin Falls, Ohio
Hudson, Ohio
CinematographyDennis Dalzell
EditorAllan Jacobs
Running time94 minutes
Production companyHanna-Barbera Productions
Release
Original networkABC
Original release
  • December 4, 1977 (1977-12-04)

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

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.). It was also produced by Hanna-Barbera.[2]

Awards

Home media

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

See also

References

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