Out on a Limb 

The supposed true story of Shirley MacLaine's experience with a spiritual awakening.

Stars:

Shirley MacLaine, Charles Dance, John Heard

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Shirley MacLaine	...	Shirley MacLaine 2 episodes, 1987
Charles Dance	...	Gerry Stamford 2 episodes, 1987
John Heard	...	David Manning 2 episodes, 1987
Anne Jackson	...	Bella Abzug 2 episodes, 1987

Storyline

Shirley MacLaine plays herself in this TV mini-series based on her autobiographical best-seller which delves into her new age beliefs and its effects on her personal and public lives. John Heard portrays a composite role of her many spiritual and personal advisors.

---

Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | autobiographical | new age | ocean | kiss | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

---

Did You Know?

Quotes

Shirley MacLaine: I can't go to your event with you.
Bella Abzug: Why not?
Shirley MacLaine: Because I'm going to South America to look for extraterrestrials.

---

Alternate Versions

A 234-minute special collector's edition is also available.

---

Connections

Referenced in Megiddo II: The New Age (2005)

User Reviews

An open letter to Charles Dance

Dear Charles,

I sure hope you were well-paid for this toe-curlingly awful vanity project. Not yours, of course. No man could possibly be vain and appear in dreck like this.

Your performance was perfect, of course. You convincingly embodied the romantic intellectual. You made it very easy to believe in Gerry's fascination with Shirley.

I've got to give you lots of respect: clearly, as an artist you're willing to take on risk. You've done (what must be unpleasant) work in order to fulfill your responsibilities as a husband and father. You've consistently delivered top-quality performances in the most unworthy projects. And in addition to all that, I've never seen or heard you even once complain or disparage anyone.

But Charles, even my love isn't enough to withstand watching "Out on a Limb." Taking most excellent advice from another of your pictures,* I decided to leave off watching after fifteen minutes. It is better to preserve my love for you than immolate it in service of checking off another item on your c.v.

Yours affectionately,

Oloiatao

*Dorothy: I believe in love. Not just getting it, but giving it. I think that if you're able to love someone, even if they don't know it, even if they can't love you back, then it's worth it. (Gosford Park)

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Out on a Limb

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Stan Margulies Company, ABC Circle Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

235 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1