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Numbed by career demands and a recent divorce, Dr. Alexandra Kendall (Marsha Mason) hides behind a hard shell of professional detatchment—until she treats Buffy Koenig (Kathleen Beller), a dying 17-year-old cancer patient who reawakens Kendall to life’s possibilities.
Soon the courageous girl’s condition takes a downturn—and the physician must carefully, even agonizingly, weigh the consequences of keeping a promise she made to Buffy.
Jerome Hellman, producer of such award-winning movies as Midnight Cowboy, Coming Home and The Mosquito Coast, makes his directorial debut in this frank, finely crafted film casting an unflinching yet compassionate eye on illness.
Full of memorable performances, Promises in the Dark moves, challenges—and inspires you to live life more fully.
Original Release
11/02/1979
US Release
11/02/1979
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Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Marsha Mason | Dr. Alexandra Kendall |
Ned Beatty | Bud Koenig |
Susan Clark | Fran Koenig |
Michael Brandon | Dr. Jim Sandman |
Kathleen Beller | Elizabeth (Buffy) Koenig / Buffy Koenig |
Paul Clemens | Gerry Hulin |
Donald Moffat | Dr. Walter McInerny |
Philip Sterling | Dr. Frucht |
Bonnie Bartlett | Nurse Farber |
James Noble | Dr. Blankenship |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Marsha Mason | Dr. Alexandra Kendall |
Ned Beatty | Bud Koenig |
Susan Clark | Fran Koenig |
Michael Brandon | Dr. Jim Sandman |
Kathleen Beller | Elizabeth (Buffy) Koenig / Buffy Koenig |
Paul Clemens | Gerry Hulin |
Donald Moffat | Dr. Walter McInerny |
Philip Sterling | Dr. Frucht |
Bonnie Bartlett | Nurse Farber |
James Noble | Dr. Blankenship |
Arthur Rosenberg | Emergency Room Doctor |
Peggy McCay | Mrs. Pritikin |
Robert Doran | Alan |
Lenora May | Sue |
Alexandra Johnson | Ellie |
Fran Bennett | Emergency Room Nurse |
Eloise Hardt | Woman in Restaurant |
Bernie Kuby | Tony in Bud's Office |
Karen Anders | Secretary in Bud's Office |
Edith Fields | Mrs. Gans |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Sheldon Schrager | Executive Producer |
Michael Friedman | Producer |
Jerome Hellman | Producer |
Gail Mutrux | Producer |
Editors
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1980 | Golden Globe | Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama | Nominated |
1980 | Golden Globe | Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture | Nominated |