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The Gathering (1977 film)

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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
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseDecember 4, 1977 (1977-12-04)

The Gathering is a 1977 American made-for-television drama film produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for ABC. Written by James Poe, with Joseph Barbera as executive producer, the film tells the story of a dying executive (played by Edward Asner) who arranges a final Christmas reunion with his estranged wife and adult children. The film was directed by Randal Kleiser, and stars Edward Asner in the lead role of dying executive Adam Thornton and Maureen Stapleton as his estranged wife Kate.[1]

Plot

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Adam Thornton (Edward Asner), a grumpy, ill-tempered executive who walked out on his wife and family some years before, learns from his doctor (John Randolph) that he only has a little time left to live (30 to 90 days). He decides that he wants to make peace with his wife and family, and to have one last reunion of the family at Christmas before he dies. 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 they should call their four adult children and invite them all to come home for Christmas.

Adam agrees to this scheme, but only with the provision that the adult children must not be told of his illness and impending death. The major problem is that most of them are not exactly fond of their father, not only because he walked out on their mother, but also because he has an ill-tempered and stubborn nature. Adam is nervous about seeing his adult children again, including the eldest son Tom (Lawrence Pressman), who ultimately figures out why his father asked all of them to come home for Christmas. However, Adam is the most nervous about seeing Bud (Gregory Harrison), to whom he hasn't spoken for several years since he had an angry argument with Bud regarding the Vietnam War and Bud's subsequent move to Canada in order to avoid the draft.

Cast

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Sequel

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The film was followed by the 1979 sequel The Gathering, Part II, which picked up two years after Adam's death (Edward 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

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Home media

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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. This release includes The Gathering - Part II as a bonus.

See also

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References

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  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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