Frances / Studio Canal ; EMI ; a Brooksfilm production ; written by Eric Bergren, Christopher DeVore, Nicholas Kazan ; produced by Jonathan Sanger ; directed by Graeme Clifford.
This film is based on the true life story of Frances Farmer. Jessica Lange, Sam Shepard, Kim Stanley, Bart Burns, Christopher Pennock, James Karen, Gerald S. O'Laoughlin, Sarah Cunningham, Allan Rich, Woodrow Parfrey, Jack Riley, Darrell Larson, Jordan Charney, John Randolph, Keone Young, Bonnie Bartlett, Jeffrey DeMunn, Lane Smith. Originally produced as a British motion picture in 1982. Special features: Trailer (2 min.); A Hollywood Life: Remembering Frances [featurette] (31 min.); Commentary with director Graeme Clifford and David Gregory [audio feature]; Talent bios [text feature]. Originally released as a motion picture in 1982. Widescreen presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs. Special features: audio commentary with director Graeme Clifford and David Gregory; featurette, A Hollywood life : remembering Frances (30 min.); theatrical trailer; talent biographies.
Contents:
Program start / Main titles -- "Seattle girl denies God" -- Backseat fashion -- Full Hollywood treatment -- Hometown premiere -- "I don't have what they want" -- Marital discord -- Total dedication -- Tarnished angel -- "This theatre is everything to me" -- Cry for help -- Out of control -- Advice from a friend -- Breakdown -- Disorder in the court -- Meadow Wood Convalescent Home -- Fan mail -- Expert diagnosis -- Visit from Harry -- "Welcome home, little sister" -- Broken dreams -- Asylum -- Cries of the forgotten -- Bittersweet homecoming -- Frances and Harry -- "You're trying to break my spirit" -- Lobotomy -- This is your life -- "You always look like a million bucks" -- End credits.
Summary:
This is the story of a small-town girl who tasted the glory in Hollywood and on Broadway, and then went on to lead a life in which everything went wrong. After winning a nationwide high school essay contest, Frances takes up acting, and escapes Seattle by winning a trip to Russia, ending up a contract player for Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. Frances continually bucks the system, and her refusal to play the game gets her in trouble with studio bosses, publicity people, everyone. Her strong-willed mother steps in to help her, and that's when her troubles really begin--series of hospitalizations, brutally mistreatment, and finally, a lobotomy. Frances never really got a chance to be who she should have been, or to do what she could have done. She had every gift she needed in life except for luck, useful friends, and an instinct for survival.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.