Promises in the Dark (film)

Promises in the Dark is a 1979 American drama film directed by Jerome Hellman and written by Loring Mandel. The film stars Marsha Mason, Ned Beatty, Susan Clark, Michael Brandon, Kathleen Beller and Paul Clemens. The film was released by Warner Bros. and Orion Pictures on November 2, 1979.[1][2][3]

Promises in the Dark
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJerome Hellman
Produced byJerome Hellman
Written byLoring Mandel
StarringMarsha Mason
Ned Beatty
Susan Clark
Michael Brandon
Kathleen Beller
Paul Clemens
Music byLeonard Rosenman
CinematographyAdam Holender
Edited byBob Wyman
Production
company
Jerome Hellman Productions
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Orion Pictures
Release date
  • November 2, 1979 (1979-11-02)
Running time
118 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Numbed by career demands and a recent divorce, Dr. Alexandra Kendall (Marsha Mason) hides behind a hard shell of professional detachment. Then she treats Buffy Koenig (Kathleen Beller), a dying 17-year-old cancer patient who reawakens Kendall to life's possibilities. Eventually, Buffy's deteriorating forces Dr. Kendall to weigh the consequences of keeping a promise she made to her.

Cast
  • Marsha Mason as Dr. Alexandra Kendall
  • Ned Beatty as Bud Koenig
  • Susan Clark as Fran Koenig
  • Michael Brandon as Dr. Jim Sandman
  • Kathleen Beller as Elizabeth (Buffy) Koenig
  • Paul Clemens as Gerry Hulin
  • Donald Moffat as Dr. Walter McInerny
  • Philip Sterling as Dr. Frucht
  • Bonnie Bartlett as Nurse Farber
  • James Noble as Dr. Blankenship
  • Arthur Rosenberg as Emergency Room Doctor
  • Peggy McCay as Miss Pritikin
  • Robert Doran as Alan
  • Lenora May as Sue
  • Alexandra Johnson as Ellie
  • Fran Bennett as Emergency Room Nurse
  • Eloise Hardt as Woman in Restaurant
  • Bernie Kuby as Tony in Bud's Office
  • Karen Anders as Secretary in Bud's Office
  • Edith Fields as Mrs. Gans
  • Alice Beardsley as Mrs. Keyes

Production

Writer Loring Mandel conceived the story for Promises in the Dark while he was employed as head writer on the daytime drama Love of Life. When the soap's executive producer Darryl Hickman rejected the idea, Mandel quit the show and developed the plot into a feature screenplay.

The project was initially in development at United Artists, with actress Elizabeth Ashley cast in the starring role and John Schlesinger set to direct, with Arnold Schulman and Jerome Hellman producing. However, with the exception of Hellman, no one remained with the project, and the project was inactive for many years. Arthur Krim, chairman at the newly formed Orion Pictures, selected the script as one of the company’s first projects on the strength of Hellman’s previous productions, such as Midnight Cowboy and Coming Home. In addition to serving as producer, Hellman served as director.[4]

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References
  1. Canby, Vincent (1979-11-02). "Movie Review - Promises in the Dark - Screen: 'Promises In the Dark' Opens:Illness as Disaster". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  2. "Promises In The Dark (1979) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  3. "Promises in the Dark". Variety.com. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
  4. "NEWS OF THE RIALTO; Conversion of 'World of Henry Orient' —Brisson Rejuvenates 'Alfie'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-07-17.


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