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.

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.). It was also produced by Hanna-Barbera.

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 - Randal Kleiser
 * Nomination for Emmy – Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama or Comedy Special - Maureen Stapleton
 * Nomination for Emmy – Outstanding Writing in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy - Original Teleplay - James Poe (writer)

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