The Gathering (1977 film)

The Gathering (1977 film)
Directed by	Randal Kleiser
Produced by	Joseph Barbera Louis M. Heyward Harry R. Sherman Terry Morse Jr.
Written by	James Poe
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 John A. Hubbard Mary Bradley Marable Maureen Readinger Ronald Readinger Cynthia Longstreth Priscilla Graham
Production company	Hanna-Barbera Productions
Country	United States
Language	English
Original channel	ABC
Original airing	December 4, 1977
Running time	94 min

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.

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 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 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 (The Gathering, Part II), 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.).

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. released the televised film in Christmas 2009 as part of their on-demand Warner Archive DVD line.

External links

• The Gathering at the Internet Movie Database
• The Gathering at AllRovi
• The Gathering at Rotten Tomatoes.com