Frances Sternhagen Movies

In 1846, a group of over eighty Westward-bound pioneers were headed to the coast of California from Illinois, which had itself only recently been brought up to "civilized" status. They made it to a pass high in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California when they were halted by a truly monstrous blizzard, followed by the snows of one of the worst winters in that century. Their attempts to go forward and backward were thwarted by the deep snow, and, in the small shelter they enjoyed, they slowly starved to death. Eventually, they resorted to cannibalism to survive, and after their story became more widely known, the pass they took shelter in became known as "the Donner Pass." To this day, it is frequently made impassable by heavy snows. Ironically, the forty or so who survived later discovered that, had they only forged ahead about a hundred yards, they would have won free of the deep snow which ensnared them. This documentary has gathered a surprising harvest of photos, notes and drawings in order to tell the pioneers' story. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

There were two rival TV dramatizations of the sensational murder case involving "monster Mom" Frances Schreuder. Stephanie Powers was the star of the two-part 1987 TV movie At Mother's Request. Part One details the events leading to the murder of Frances' multimillionaire father Franklin Bradshaw (E.G. Marshall). Though Frances' complicity was well known at the time of Part One's first telecast on January 4, 1987 (in fact, she was already serving a life sentence in the Utah State Prison), the case is treated like a whodunit.

Part Two demonstrates how Frances' teen-age son Marc (Doug McKeon) was coerced into committing the deed by his manipulative Mom. Though lacking depth, At Mother's Request is still a powerful re-enactment of what was once considered "The Crime of the Century" (O.J. hadn't happened yet). The second half of this two-part TV-movie debuted on January 6, 1987. For the record, Lee Remick starred in a like-vintage TV adaptation of the same story, Nutcracker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Norm (George Wendt) has long been sending comedy material to Johnny Carson, but hasn't ever made a sale. To save face, Norm tells Cliff (John Ratzenberger) that Carson has at last accepted a few of his jokes. This little white lie backfires when Cliff manages to wangle two tickets to The Tonight Show. Back at Cheers, Sam (Ted Danson) and Woody (Woody Harrelson) have a near-zen experience while putting up a satellite dish. Johnny Carson and Doc Severinsen appear as themselves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cliff (John Ratzenberger) is none too thrilled when his mother (Frances Sternhagen) pays an extended visit. Making matters worse, Mom takes a shine to Woody (Woody Harrelson), virtually adopting the affable bartender as "the son I never had." Back at Cheers, the gang tangles with some construction workers, and Norm (George Wendt) gets stuck in a barred window. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to enrich himself in the process, Cliff (John Ratzenberger) sets up a date between his mother Esther (Frances Sternhagen) and wealthy Duncan Fitzgerald (Richard Erdman). It looks as though Cliff's machinations are going to pay off when Fitzgerald proposes. Alas, the old fellow puts a crimp in Cliff's plans by bequeathing his millions to charity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The mystery of Cliff's (John Ratzenberger) missing (and possibly murdered) mother is finally solved. After making the assumption that Kelly's (Jackie Swanson) wealthy father Mr. Gaines (Richard Doyle) is enamored with her, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) is in for a shock when she learns Gaines' true motives for inviting her to his home. Originally a one-hour episode, "Rebecca Gaines, Rebecca Loses" has since been re-edited as two half-hour programs for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Adapted by Whitley Strieber from his book about his alleged contacts with aliens, Communion dramatizes a story all the more compelling for the author's insistence that it is true, complemented by Christopher Walken's enigmatic performance as Strieber. The film begins in October 1985, as Strieber is living in New York City with his wife Anne (Lindsay Crouse) and son Andrew (Joel Carlson). He is hunting for new book ideas without making much headway. He spends his days pacing around his apartment, thinking out loud or videotaping himself as he improvises bits of dialogue. It is soon decided that a vacation is in order, so, with their friends Alex (Andreas Katsulas) and Sara (Terri Hanauer), the Striebers head for their cabin in Upstate New York. In the middle of the night, an illumination descends on the cabin and surrounding forest, causing Strieber to wake up abruptly. In the semi-darkness of the cabin, he is able to make out a long face with narrow, tear-shaped eyes quietly observing him from a corner of the room. The next morning, he has forgotten -- or been made to forget -- the whole experience. He even shrugs off Alex's and Sarah's concern about "seeing lights" outside their bedroom window, claiming to have slept through the event. Back in New York, it becomes evident to Strieber and his family that something unusual did happen. He begins to have powerful hallucinations, and, after an inconclusive medical examination, he is encouraged by his wife to seek professional help from psychiatrist Janet Duffy (Frances Sternhagen). During hypnotic regression therapy, Strieber's lifelong contact with the "visitors" is brought to light, as well as the details of his more recent encounters. Still unable to accept these revelations, he returns to the cabin alone and finally communicates with the visitors, discovering that, although they are unable to reveal their true identity, their purpose may be to act as agents of personal transformation for himself and for others. An interesting and uneven film, Communion is bolstered considerably by Christopher Walken, whose role in the film, though appropriate for the subject matter, quickly transforms into a thesis on his own eccentricities as an actor. ~ Anthony Reed, All Movie Guide

Weaver (Laura Innes) begins spinning a self-entangling web of deception when she agrees to secretly treat a communicable disease picked up by "closeted" Alderman John Bright (Bruce Weitz). Kovac (Goran Visjnic) resorts to a subterfuge of Biblical proportions to convince a seriously injured patient to accept treatment. And Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) exceeds his authority in order to help the brain-damaged children of a dying woman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Abby (Maura Tierney) "celebrates" her birthday with one setback after another, beginning with an ominous run-in with her quarreling new neighbors, Brian (Matthew Settle) and Joyce (Christina Hendricks). Kovac (Goran Visnjic) prepares to go to Bosnia as part of the Doctors Without Borders program. Carter (Noah Wyle) continues to have issues with his estranged mother (Mary McDonnell). Chen (Ming-Na) claims to have evidence of Weaver's negligence, while Sandy (Lisa Vidal) is not happy that Weaver (Laura Innes) is reluctant to "out" herself. And Greene (Anthony Edwards) makes an unpleasant discovery in the room of his daughter Rachel (Hallee Hirsh). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When a blind homeless man abruptly regains his sight, Benton (Eriq La Salle) is hailed as a miracle worker -- and now dozens of other patients want to be anointed by "Saint Peter." Greene (Anthony Edwards) takes an important step toward getting his life back together during his treatment of 67-year-old rape victim. And Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) and Weaver (Laura Innes) temporarily bury the hatchet during a major crisis in one of their lives. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Frances Sternhagen makes her first appearance as Carter's enormously wealthy grandmother, Millicent, whom Carol (Julianna Margulies) approaches for a contribution toward her new free clinic. Meanwhile, Carter (Noah Wyle) tries to hide his silver-spoon upbringing from class-envious Del Amico (Maria Bello). Back at the ER, budget cuts imposed by the management group Syngergix force Weaver (Laura Innes) to lay off several staffers -- including Jeanie (Gloria Reuben). Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Corday (Alex Kingston) have a tense argument over procedure. And Ross (George Clooney) gets some very bad news. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This episode marks the final regular ER appearances of Eriq La Salle and Michael Michele. After resorting to desperate measures to retain custody of his son, Reese (Matthew Watkins), Peter Benton (La Salle) realizes that he must make a choice between the boy and his overloaded ER schedule. He opts to take a less demanding job at a clinic in the Chicago suburbs, where his current love, Cleo Finch (Michele), is already working. In other developments, a boy accidentally shot by his mom on Christmas Eve is a cause of great concern amongst the ER staffers; Abby (Maura Tierney) sees Nicole (Julie Delpy) where she didn't expect to see her; the relationship between Weaver (Laura Innes) and Lopez (Lisa Vidal) enters a new phase; and Carter (Noah Wyle) receives startling but not unexpected news about his parents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Greene (Anthony Edwards) takes care of his terminally ill father (John Cullum) at home, leading to a poignant moment between the elder Greene and Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston). Back at work, Corday tries to persuade an anorexic girl to continue treatment for her illness. Carol (Julianna Margulies) can't keep her mind on her work after receiving a silly birthday present. Carter (Noah Wyle) plunges back into his work and immediately runs afoul of ER policy. And Malucci (Erik Palladino) treats a young accident victim who is being sexually abused by her father. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide