Frances (1982)

Director:

Graeme Clifford

Writers:

Eric Bergren
Christopher De Vore
(more)

Release Date:

3 February 1983 (Argentina)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Beautiful. Talented. Intelligent. Courageous. She Was Frances Farmer. She Should've Been The Silver Screen's Greatest Star.

Plot:

The true story of Frances Farmer's meteoric rise to fame in Hollywood and the tragic turn her life took when she was blacklisted. |

Plot Keywords:

Frances Farmer | Political Repression | Atheist | Female Protagonist | High School Student

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Jessica Lange	...	Frances Farmer
Kim Stanley	...	Lillian Farmer
Sam Shepard	...	Harry York
Bart Burns	...	Ernest Farmer
Jonathan Banks	...	Hitchhiker
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Studio Stylist
James Brodhead	...	Desk Sergeant
Jane Jenkins	...	Lady at Roosevelt Hotel (as J.J. Chaback)
Jordan Charney	...	Harold Clurman
Rod Colbin	...	Sentencing Judge
Daniel Chodos	...	'No Escape' director
Donald Craig	...	Ralph Edwards
Sarah Cunningham	...	Alma Styles
Lee de Broux	...	'Flowing Gold' Director
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Clifford Odets
Jack Fitzgerald	...	Clapper Man
Nancy Foy	...	Autograph Girl
Anne Haney	...	Hairdresser
Richard L. Hawkins	...	Bum on Street (as Richard Hawkins)
James Karen	...	Judge Hillier
Darrell Larson	...	Louella's Spy
Patricia Larson	...	Mrs. Hillier
Albert Lord	...	'Flowing Gold' Assistant Director
Vincent Lucchesi	...	Arresting Sergeant
Jack Manning	...	Studio Photographer
Gerald S. O'Loughlin	...	Lobotomy Doctor
Woodrow Parfrey	...	Dr. Doyle
Christopher Pennock	...	Dick Steele
Rod Pilloud	...	Martoni Kaminski
Larry Pines	...	Man on Phone / Bookie Joint
John Randolph	...	Kindly Judge
Allan Rich	...	Mr. Bebe
Jack Riley	...	Bob Barnes
David Schroeder	...	Studio Lawyer (as David V. Schroeder)
Helen Schustack	...	Wardrobe Mistress
Sandra Seacat	...	Drama Teacher
Charles Seaverns	...	Real Estate Man
Lane Smith	...	Dr. Symington
Karin Strandjord	...	Connie
Vern Taylor	...	Studio Executive
Andrew Winner	...	Firechief
Biff Yeager	...	Motorcycle Cop
Keone Young	...	Chinese Doctor
Alexander Zale	...	Man in Screening Room
Paul Fleming	...	Reports, Publicists, Photographers
M.C. Gainey	...	Reports, Publicists, Photographers
Roger Galloway	...	Reports, Publicists, Photographers
Matthew Goldsby	...	Reports, Publicists, Photographers
Paul Keith	...	Reports, Publicists, Photographers
F. William Parker	...	Reports, Publicists, Photographers
Charles Shull	...	Reports, Publicists, Photographers
Teda Bracci	...	Mental Patient
Jan Burrell	...	Mental Patient
Flo Di Re	...	Mental Patient (as Flo di Re)
Dodds Frank	...	Mental Patient
Patricia Gaul	...	Mental Patient
Robin Ginsburg	...	Mental Patient
Pamela Gordon	...	Mental Patient
Anjelica Huston	...	Mental Patient
Jamie Johnston	...	Mental Patient
Ola Kauffman	...	Mental Patient (as Ola Kaufman)
Donna Lamana	...	Mental Patient (as Donna LaMana)
Sharmagne Leland-St. John	...	Mental Patient
Jane Lillig	...	Mental Patient
Alexandra Melchi	...	Mental Patient
Patricia Post	...	Mental Patient
Zelda Rubinstein	...	Mental Patient (as Zelda Rubenstein)
Nina Schneider	...	Mental Patient
Marlene Silvers	...	Mental Patient
Vicki Williams	...	Mental Patient
Susan Wolf	...	Mental Patient
Tom Amundsen	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies
Anne Haslett	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies
Barry Jamesby	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies
Leonard Lookabaugh	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies (as Len Lookabaugh)
Oceana Marr	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies
Vahan Moosekian	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies
Tom Pletts	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies
Eileen T'Kaye	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies
Lila Waters	...	Doctors, Nurses and Orderlies
Charles Prior	...	Soldier
Carl Kraines	...	Soldier
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kevin Costner	...	Luther (Man in Alley) (uncredited)
J. Michael Flynn	...	Minor Role (uncredited)
Ted King	...	Doctor (uncredited)
Casey MacGill	...	Singer, musician (uncredited)
Michael Mallory	...	Seattle Reporter (uncredited)
Allen Nause	...	Reports - Publicists - Photographers (uncredited)
Jayne Taini	...	Nurse (uncredited)

Directed by
Graeme Clifford

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Eric Bergren
Christopher De Vore
Nicholas Kazan

Produced by
Jonathan Sanger	....	producer
Mel Brooks	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
John Barry

Cinematography by
László Kovács

Film Editing by
John Wright

Casting by
Nancy Foy
Janet Hirshenson
Jane Jenkins
Elisabeth Leustig

Production Design by
Richard Sylbert

Art Direction by
Ida Random

Set Decoration by
George Gaines

Costume Design by
Patricia Norris

Makeup Department
Florence Avery	....	makeup artist
Melanie Levitt	....	makeup artist
Nadia	....	makeup artist
Dorothy J. Pearl	....	makeup designer (as Dorothy Pearl)
Robert L. Stevenson	....	hair stylist (as Robert Stevenson)
Toni-Ann Walker	....	hair designer (as Toni Walker)

Production Management
Charles Mulvehill	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Debra DuVal	....	dga trainee
Michael Green	....	second assistant director
Ed Milkovich	....	first assistant director
William Scott	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Emad Helmey	....	set designer
Mike Higelmire	....	leadman (as Michael Higelmire)
Ray Mercer Jr.	....	property master
William A. Parks	....	construction coordinator
Ernest Phillips	....	stand by painter (as Ernest J. Phillips)
Arthur Shippee	....	assistant property master (as Arthur B. Shippee Jr.)
Matt Springman	....	assistant property master (as Matthew Springman)
Sharmagne Leland-St. John	....	assistant: Richard Sylbert (uncredited)

Sound Department
Neil Brody	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael Colgan	....	sound editor
Nicholas Vincent Korda	....	assistant adr editor (as Nick Korda)
Robert J. Litt	....	sound re-recording mixer
Charleen Richards	....	adr mixer (as Charlene Richards)
David M. Ronne	....	sound mixer (as David Ronne)
Kay Rose	....	supervising sound editor
Victoria Rose Sampson	....	sound editor
John B. Schuyler	....	boom operator (as John Schuyler)
Norman B. Schwartz	....	supervising adr editor (as Norman Schwartz)
Larry Singer	....	adr editor
Elliot Tyson	....	sound re-recording mixer

Stunts
Jerry Wills	....	stunt coordinator
Hubie Kerns Jr.	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Richmond L. Aguilar	....	gaffer (as Rick Aguilar)
Paul Caven	....	electrical best boy (as Paul J. Caven)
Chuck Fey	....	second unit assistant camera
Daniel C. Gold	....	assistant camera (as Dan Gold)
O.T. Henderson	....	dolly grip
Gemma La Mana	....	still photographer (as Gemma La Manna Wills)
Leonard Lookabaugh	....	key grip (as Len Lookabaugh)
László Pal	....	second unit camera
George Ressler	....	grip best boy (as George Resler)
Robert M. Stevens	....	camera operator (as Robert Stevens)
Joseph E. Thibo	....	assistant camera

Casting Department
Elisabeth Leustig	....	extras casting
Jack Leustig	....	extras casting
Pat Orseth	....	casting: Seattle location
Linda Phillips-Palo	....	extras casting assistant (as Linda Palo)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Nancy Martinelli	....	women's costumer
Patrick R. Norris	....	costumer (as Patrick Norris)
Deahdra Scarano	....	costumer (as Deahdra T. Scarano)
G. Tony Scarano	....	men's costumer (as Tony Scarano)

Editorial Department
Donah Bassett	....	negative cutter
Aubrey Head	....	color timer
Kathy Virkler	....	assistant film editor
Charles Woolf	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
John Barry	....	conductor
Kenneth Hall	....	music editor
Cliff Kohlweck	....	music editor (as Clif Kohlweck)
James Thatcher	....	musician: french horn
Dan Wallin	....	music scoring mixer
Albert Woodbury	....	orchestrator

Transportation Department
Paul Casella Jr.	....	transportation coordinator
Walt Freitas	....	transportation captain (as Walter Freitas)

Other crew
Randy Auerbach	....	assistant: Jonathan Sanger
Blanche Bisbing	....	assistant production accountant
Wendy Sterne Brown	....	script supervisor
Ginnie Bukowski	....	assistant to director
Paulette 'Pete' Elkins	....	assistant to director (as Pete Elkins)
Gigi Gray	....	assistant to director
Vince Heileson	....	production accountant
Stewart O. Jacobson	....	script consultant
Lois Kibbee	....	script consultant
Carole Noia	....	research consultant
Joe O'Har	....	location manager
Deborah Rosen	....	unit publicist
Melba Smith	....	behavioral consultant
Teresa Stokovic	....	production office coordinator
Adrian J. Williams	....	medical advisor
James L. Wills	....	craft service
Tom Zapata	....	production assistant
Lynn Hendee	....	production executive (uncredited)
Sandra Seacat	....	acting coach: Jessica Lange (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Brooksfilms
• EMI Films

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1982) (USA) (theatrical)
• Associated Film Distribution (AFD) (1982) (USA) (theatrical)
• Adams Filmi (1983) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Constantin-Film (1983) (Austria) (theatrical)
• Senator Film (1983) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• HBO Video (1983) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Sandrew Film & Teater (1984) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• TV3 (1989) (Finland) (TV)
• Nelonen (1997) (Finland) (TV)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1998) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1999) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• Starz / Anchor Bay (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Starz / Anchor Bay (2002) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (2006) (Finland) (TV)
• Gativideo (2007) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2007) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-release)
• Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• Future Film (????) (Finland) (DVD)
• Lumiere Home Video (19??) (Australia) (VHS)
• Rautakirja (19??) (Finland) (VHS)
• Thorn EMI Video Australia (19??) (Australia) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (19??) (Australia) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Panavision  lenses and Panaflex camera
• Pickwick/Maslansky/Koenigsberg Inc.  publicity
• Technicolor  color and prints

Also Known As:

Runtime:

140 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:18 (original rating) | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 (f) | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Argentina:13 (re-rating) | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

Big Oaks Lodge, Saugus, California, USA

Company:

Brooksfilms

Trivia:

The movie has a lobotomy being performed on Frances Farmer. The operation never happened and was first fictionalized in William Arnold's Farmer biography "Shadowland" (1978).

Goofs:

Anachronisms: A shot of the outside of a New York building shows many modern window air-conditioners, although this was supposed to be the 1930s or 1940s.

Quotes:

Harry York:Frances, you're crazy.
Frances Farmer:[softly] Don't tell anybody.

Movie Connections:

References I Escaped from the Gestapo (1943)

Soundtrack:

This Is Your Life

Wonderful performance from female star, a sad romance

This is an important film, and I am compelled to write a few lines to attract other viewers to see it. Sensitive music by John Barry to set the mood, yes it is a love story really, I enjoyed seeing Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard, they work well together. What can you say about the talent of Jessica Lange? I could not take my eyes off her. Impeccable acting. She is so stunningly lovely,as was the Frances Farmer of the story, they are much alike both breathtakingly beautiful. No other actress could have played this part in 1982. A non conformist ahead of her time, today Frances would be almost normal, the Frances Farmer story is sad and infuriating,such a waste... the child pressured by her mother to be everything the mother wanted for herself, to be a Hollywood star, the ineffectual father who could have stepped in to determine a less shattering future for their daughter. How often do we see that the wrong kind of parental influence on their children can lead to disastrous results? I found Frances courageous and admirable in the face of evil and adversity. The sadness felt by the wonderfully supportive Harry York (played by Sam Shepard) toward the end of the movie brings tears to the eyes, she has forgotten how to love, but she has survived... only to die alone in 1970. Breaks my heart. True to life, caring and detailed movie. Best actress for Jessica Lange, in my view, I noticed her in King Kong and I knew she was going to make it big. Highest marks and comments from malcotoro, Toronto, Canada