The Thanksgiving Promise 

A teenage boy is torn between his love for an injured Canadian goose that he has found and his agreement to fatten and kill it for an approaching Thanksgiving dinner for his neighbors.

Director:

Beau Bridges

Writers:

Glenn L. Anderson (teleplay), Craig Holyoak (teleplay)

Stars:

Beau Bridges, Millie Perkins, Courtney Thorne-Smith

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Beau Bridges	...	Hank Tilby
Millie Perkins	...	Lois Tilby
Courtney Thorne-Smith	...	Sheryl
Ed Lauter	...	Coach Gruniger
Anne Haney	...	Mrs. Sudsup
Beau Dremann	...	Alec
Bill Calvert	...	Jason Tilby
Jordan Bridges	...	Travis Tilby
Jason Bateman	...	Steve Tilby
Lloyd Bridges	...	Stewart Larson
Jason Naylor	...	Arnold
Jessica Puscas	...	Jenni Tilby
Joshua Bryant	...	Sam the Vet
Zero Hubbard	...	Jeff
Tina Caspary	...	1st Girl

Storyline

A teenage boy is torn between his love for an injured Canadian goose that he has found and his agreement to fatten and kill it for an approaching Thanksgiving dinner for his neighbors.

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Plot Keywords:

neighbor | goose | thanksgiving | mother son relationship | killing | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | Family | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Promise Made

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mark H. Ovitz Productions, Walt Disney Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the only production in which Lloyd Bridges, Jeff Bridges and Beau Bridges all appear.

User Reviews

Where'd this film go?

My children and I loved this film. It dealt with promises, responsibility, sibling conflict, generational differences and yet it all made sense.I first saw it on something like "Hallmark Hall of Fame". It was a surprise to see Bill Calvert playing a role. I met him a few years earlier in South Pasadena, he was an aspiring script writer, all of 16 or so, living with his mom and brother. When it repeated, I taped it. My 2 children were rooting for the goose, supportive of the boy, and fearful of the promised dinner that the goose was bound for. The flexibility of compassion and common sense prevails. P.S. My ex-wife burned the tape as she believed that the swimming scenes of the boys was inappropriate for a 'family' audience. Looked OK to me and my kids. Go figure. I really wish it would be re-released. We all need a break from the mindless chatter of today's 'civilization'.