Gift Subscriptions
Colleen Dewhurst
- 2000
- AddAnne of Green Gables: The Continuing Storyto QueueAddAnne of Green Gables: The Continuing Storyto top of Queue
Megan Follows, who literally grew up before the viewers' eyes as star of the Canadian TV series Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, returns to the role of Lucy Maud Montgomery's plucky Canadian lass Anne Shirley in this four-hour TV miniseries. In the second decade of the 20th century, all grown up and a professional schoolteacher, Anne returns to Prince Edward Island after the death of her mentor, Marilla Cutherbert (played by the late Coleen Dewhurst in stock-footage flashbacks). Soon thereafter, Anne heads to New York City, intending to marry her physician fiancé, Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie), and, hopefully, to find success as an author. Alas, Anne's first manuscript is stolen by charming scoundral, Jack Garrison Jr. (Cameron Daddo), while Gilbert is defeated by the internal politicking and red tape of a big-city hospital. The couple is about to relocate to their native Canada when WWI breaks out, whereupon Gilbert dutifully signs up for military service. When word arrives that Gilbert is missing in action, Anne courageously heads off to wartorn France in hopes of finding her husband -- only to become mixed up in an espionage plot that also involves the redoubtable Jack Garrison. Originally telecast in Canada beginning March 5, 2000, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story was seen in the United States courtesy of PBS on July 23 and 30, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Megan Follows, Jonathan Crombie, (more)
- 1992
A mysterious stranger has a surprising effect on three generations of women in this romantic comedy-drama. Ruth (Colleen Dewhurst) is a widow who runs a bed and breakfast in a small New England tourist community. Ruth shares her home with Claire (Talia Shire), who recently lost her husband, a well-known 1960s political activist, and Claire's daughter Cassie (Nina Siemaszko). Claire has to deal with the humiliation of a recent biography of her late husband that reveals the impressive degree of his infidelity, while Cassie is expected to follow in her father's political footsteps, even though she'd rather pursue a career in music. One day, the three women discover a gentleman who calls himself Adam (Roger Moore) has washed up on the shore. Adam is a con artist who was literally thrown off the yacht of someone he was trying to cheat, and now he fakes amnesia while he tries to get back on his feet and hide from his most recent victims. He does some odd jobs around the B&B to earn his keep and begins courting Claire, while he urges Ruth to take a chance with the lobster fisherman who has been after her for a date and encourages Cassie to follow her dream of making music. Bed and Breakfast was directed by Robert Ellis Miller, best known for his TV work and the feature Reuben, Reuben; the film was shot in 1989 but didn't receive its limited release until three years later. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roger Moore, Talia Shire, (more)
Directed by Joel Schumacher, Dying Young was adapted from a novel by Marti Leimbach. When Victor Geddes (Campbell Scott) discovers that he is suffering from leukemia, his wealthy family hires pretty, young Hillary O'Neil (Julia Roberts) to help nurse him through his chemotherapy treatment. As the two struggle through the debilitating effects of Victor's treatment, they fall in love and attempt to make the most of their time together. Campbell Scott's real mother, the late Colleen Dewhurst, plays his "reel" mother in the film. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julia Roberts, Campbell Scott, (more)
- 1990
Sara sneaks into the house of Abraham, the town's resident recluse, at the same time that the city's notorious gossip, Mrs. Lynde, drops by for a visit. Unbeknownst to either Sara or Mrs. Lynde, Abraham is quarantined with smallpox, and neither woman can leave the house. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Colleen Dewhurst makes her third and final appearance as Avery Brown, the overbearing, exasperating mother of TV journalist Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen). Moving in with Murphy, Avery wastes no time in driving her daughter bonkers. In hopes of a brief respite, Murphy suggests that Avery rechannel her attentions on a new boyfriend. A great idea? Not quite: Before long, Avery has fixed up herself and Murphy on the Double Date from Hell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
This Canadian TV movie stars Marion Bennett as a young girl possessed of mysterious powers. No Carrie she, Bennett hopes to harness her unique gifts for good. Her main mission is to reunite her long-estranged mother and father. The film makes excellent atmospheric use of its mist-enshrouded Prince Edward Island locations. Lantern Hill was originally telecast in two parts on PBS' weekend Wonderworks series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Ken Burns' epic series begins with the causes of the Civil War in 1861 and ends with the war's aftermath in 1865. A combination of photographs, interviews, and narration create a sweeping historical documentary. Commentary and anecdotes by historian Shelby Foote add another level of authority to the film while providing the viewer insight into distant events and personalities. While Burns covers the major battles and personalities, he also emphasizes the plight of African-Americans and the common soldier. Each of the nine segments concentrates on a particular part of the war, allowing the viewer to isolate episodes of interest. For instance, episode five, The Universe of Battle, follows General Robert E. Lee into Pennsylvania for the devastating battle of Gettysburg. Social events are also given coverage. Each episode opens with a list of events simultaneously taking place around the world, while a more detailed treatment is provided for domestic affairs. Accounts of the draft riots in the North and famine in the South help to place the war within a larger social context. At the end of the nine episodes, Burns' ambitious series has offered a complete account of the causes of the war, the personalities of the generals and politicians who directed it, and the domestic and foreign events that shaped the war's outcome. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Movie Guide
Wealthy, but yearning for the family he lost after his parents' untimely deaths, a businessman hires a private eye to locate his three sisters, each of whom was sent to a different foster home following the mysterious accident. One particularly traumatized sister seems to know the truth about the deaths. Her revelations could be catastrophic for the recently reunited siblings. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jaclyn Smith, Perry King, (more)
- 1989
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast on CBS as a one-hour episode), Murphy (Candice Bergen) is caught in the middle when both her domineering mother Avery (Colleen Dewhurst) and her distant father Bill (Darren McGavin) show up to see Murphy accept the coveted Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Award. Although they've been divorced for 15 years, the Brown start up their bickering exactly where they left off--with Bill's remarriage to a much-younger woman, and Murphy's reluatance to invite either one of her parents to the award ceremony, both grist for the argument mill. Candice Bergen won an Emmy award for her performance in this riotous episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
It is not for nothing that Murphy (Candice Bergen) has described the relationship between her divorced parents as "a Fellini version of the Waltons." Nonetheless, Frank (Joe Regalbuto) feels that at least one of Murphy's parents should be in attendance when she wins the coveted RFK award. Swallowing hard, Murphy invites her father Bill Brown (Darren McGavin), who in the 15 years since the breakup of his marriage has taken upon himself a trophy bride (Susan Wheeler Duff) who has presented him with a daughter (Jodi Knotts) and a new baby son. Just when it seems that the long-standing estrangement between Murphy and Bill will be healed, who should show up for the ceremony but her domineering mother Avery (Colleen Dewhurst). Originally telecast as an hour-long episode, "Brown Like Me" has since been divided into two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Candice Bergen won an Emmy award for her work in this episode, in which Colleen Dewhurst (also an Emmy winner) guest stars as Avery Brown, the formidable mother of TV journalist Murphy Brown (Bergen). Showing up announced at Murphy's doorstep, Avery clearly intends to stay for a long, long time--but she adamantly refuses to tell her daughter the reason for her visit. Meanwhile, Eldin (Robert Pastorelli), who likewise bids fair to be a permanent fixture in Murphy's household, makes a painful discovery about his musical "ear" (or lack of same). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The ordeal of young husband Scott Grimes (Gary Cole) begins when his wife Sue (Mary Page Keller) unexpectedly dies in childbirth. Unprepared to be a single parent, Scott seeks out help from his mother-in-law (Colleen Dewhurst) and from professional caregivers. Still, he is overwhelmed by the responsibility, so much so that he seriously considers putting his infant daughter up for adoption. An unabashed "weepie", the made-for-TV Those She Left Behind also stars Joanna Kerns and George Coe. The film debuted March 6, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Cole, Joanna Kerns, (more)
- 1989
Colleen Dewhurst guest stars as Betty Russell, a famous divorce lawyer better known as "The Barracuda." Exhibiting a hitherto well-hidden conscience, Russell hires Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) to reunite Lydia and Nathan Kraft (Jane Hallaren, Lawrence Pressman), whose union Betty may have wrongly rent asunder. A special gift and an unanticipated murder both figure into the story, as does a discussion wherein the two stars ponder the possibility of staging a nude scene to improve Moonlighting's ever-sagging ratings! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- R
Colleen Dewhurst plays Molly Dushane, the widowed matriarch of a small-town family. A tragedy occurred years earlier when her late husband committed suicide after threatening their daughter with a gun, and the family has fumbled with their difficult lives since. Though she often escapes reality by drinking, it doesn't seem escape enough as she finds out her ex-lover has died. In addition to being an alcoholic, she is also suffering from a terminal illness and longs to go to Italy once before she dies. Daughter Micheline (Megan Follows), finally confronting her own life, decides to take her mother to Italy where they find the different perspective they have needed. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colleen Dewhurst, Megan Follows, (more)
- 1988
- PG13
A grieving mother tries to track down the hit-and-run driver who killed her 12-year-old son in this well-performed drama. Dinah Middleton (Kerrie Keane) is divorced from husband Max (Daniel Pilon). The couple's skateboarding son Alex (Leif Anderson) is hit by Owen Hughes (Saul Rubinek), a New York businessman and later dies in the hospital. After the driver is tracked to the U.S., manslaughter charges are dismissed on a technicality, and Dinah learns the treaty between Canada and the United States will make extradition nearly impossible. The differences and attitudes of the two countries toward each other becomes part of the story in addition to Dinah's search for justice. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kerrie Keane, Daniel Pilon, (more)
An Emmy-winning adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel by the same name, this is a Canadian TV production which follows the life of a feisty young girl who is adopted by a bachelor farmer and his sister who have decided to adopt a boy and have several surprises due them when Anne arrives. Part of a series that goes through her winning a place in their hearts and home, it continues on through her youth and the blossoming of young love. This particular episodes deals with her first tentative encroachments into social functions and dealing with the loss of a loved one. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Megan Follows
- 1987
The mythical, big-footed Pacific Northwest Sasquatch lives, and an irascible anthropologist and two feisty kids can prove it. This Disney adventure chronicles their interactions with the gentle giants and their attempts to save them from capture. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Jay Underwood plays an autistic boy who provides a source of fascination to a new family in town. Never uttering a sound, Underwood spends hours in his backyard, attempting to fly like the birds. Lucy Deakins, the daughter of the new family, befriends Underwood; she is encouraged by teacher Colleen Dewhurst to try to draw the boy out of his shell, and to keep a journal on the subject. Rendered unconscious in a fall, Deakins dreams that Underwood can fly. The boy is suddenly whisked away to an institution, and Deakins despairs that she'll never see him again. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lucy Deakins, Jay Underwood, (more)
- 1986
Made for television, Johnny Bull is set in a Pennsylvania mining town, circa 1959. Peter MacNicol, the son of a Hungarian immigrant family, brings home pregnant Suzanna Hamilton, the cockney girl he'd married while a GI in England. Hamilton's movie-generated visions of a glamorous America are dashed by the poverty of MacNicol's parents (Jason Robards, Colleen Dewhurst), and by the fact that her husband is incapable of getting a job once out of uniform. Kathy Bates steals the film as MacNicol's retarded sister, who despises the new bride. Johnny Bull was filmed on location in coal country--not in Pennsylvania, but in Tennessee. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the made-for-cable thriller Sword of Gideon, a team of anti-terrorist commandos, led by Steven Bauer, sets out to avenge the deaths of Israeli athletes killed during the Munich Olympics of 1972. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Bauer, Michael York, (more)
- 1986
The old reliable movie title Between Two Women was activated once more for this made-for-TV film. Farrah Fawcett and Colleen Dewhurst star as, respectively, a domineering ex-opera star and a shy schoolteacher. The ads for the film suggested that Michael Nouri played the apex of a romantic triangle between the older Dewhurst and the younger Fawcett. In truth, he plays Dewhurst's son, incurring his mother's wrath when he marries Fawcett. Dewhurst's unwarranted interference destroy her son's marriage--but it is Fawcett who compassionately rushes to her mother-in-law's bedside when the older woman suffers a debilitating stroke. First telecast March 10, 1986, Between Two Women was based on Gillian Martin's novel Living Arrows. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Farrah Fawcett, Colleen Dewhurst, (more)
- 1985
Filmed in Tunisia on a budget of 30 million dollars, the five-part, 12-hour miniseries A.D. was the final installment in a historical trilogy which included Moses the Lawgiver and Jesus of Nazareth. Covering the years 30 to 69 A.D., the teleplay, co-written by Anthony Burgess, chronicled the political intrigue which plagued the Roman Empire, with such key players as the emperors Tiberius (James Mason in his final role), Caligula (John McEnery), Claudius (Richard Kiley), and Nero (Anthony Andrews) calling the shots. Meanwhile, the death of Jesus Christ (played by Michael Wilding, son of Elizabeth Taylor) not only sparked a widespread monotheistic religious movement, but also resulted in devastating factionalism amongst the various Jewish sects of the era. Offsetting the true events are a number of fictional subplots, among them the romance between Jewish slave girl Sarah (Amanda Pays) and Roman soldier Valerius (Neil Dickson), and the tempestuous relationship between male and female gladiators, Caleb (Cecil Humphreys) and Corinna (Diana Venora). The huge cast included Ava Gardner, making her TV-movie debut as the scheming Agrippina. The winner of an Emmy award for Best Film Editing, A.D. was broadcast by NBC from March 31 through April 4, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Andrews, Colleen Dewhurst, (more)
Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables, previously filmed in 1934, was afforded a TV-movie treatment in 1985. Megan Follows stars as 13-year-old Anne Shirley, an orphan girl sent to live with a foster family on Canada's Prince Edward Island. Though she has great difficulty controlling her temper, impulsiveness and vivid imagination, Anne eventually wins over her new guardians, domineering Marilla Cuthbert (Colleen Dewhurst) and Marilla's shy brother Matthew (Richard Farnsworth). Anne's secondary adventures concern her "bosom friend" Diana (Schuyler Grant) and her supposed enemy Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie). Anne of Green Gables was offered on American television as a 3-part presentation on PBS' Wonderworks; it aired from February 17 through March 3, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, (more)
