The Gathering

The Gathering is a 1977 American made-for-television drama film produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for ABC. It is about a dying executive who arranges a final Christmas reunion with his estranged wife and adult children. It was directed by Randal Kleiser and stars Edward Asner and Maureen Stapleton. Plot Adam Thornton (Edward Asner), an ill-tempered executive who walked out on his family, learns that he only has a little time left to live. He decides that he wants to make peace with them and have one last reunion. He confides this information to his estranged wife, Kate (Maureen Stapleton). But when his doctor says that it won't be good for him to travel, she suggests that he should call his four adult children and invite them all for Christmas. He agrees only with the provision that they not be told of his illness and imminent death. The only problem is that most of them are not exactly fond of him because he walked out on Kate and has a stubborn nature. Of them, he is most nervous about seeing Bud (Gregory Harrison), whom he hasn't spoken to since having an argument with him regarding the Vietnam War and his move to Canada several years before. Cast Edward Asner as Adam Maureen Stapleton as Kate Rebecca Balding as Julie Sarah Cunningham as Clara Bruce Davison as George Veronica Hamel as Helen Gregory Harrison as Bud Jr. James Karen as Bob Block Lawrence Pressman as Tom John Randolph as Dr. Hodges Gail Strickland as Peggy Edward Winter as Roger Stephanie Zimbalist as Toni