Frances (1982)
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- R
- 2h 20min
- Biography, Drama
- 11 Mar 1983 (Australia)
- Movie
The story of Frances Farmer's meteoric rise to fame in Hollywood and the tragic turn her life took when she was blacklisted.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Jonathan Banks | ... |
Hitchhiker
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| Bonnie Bartlett | ... |
Studio Stylist
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James Brodhead | ... |
Desk Sergeant
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| Bart Burns | ... |
Ernest Farmer
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| Jane Jenkins | ... |
Lady at Roosevelt Hotel
(as J.J. Chaback)
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| Jordan Charney | ... |
Harold Clurman
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Daniel Chodos | ... |
'No Escape' Director
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Rod Colbin | ... |
Sentencing Judge
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Donald Craig | ... |
Ralph Edwards
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| Sarah Cunningham | ... |
Alma Styles
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| Lee de Broux | ... |
'Flowing Gold' Director
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| Jeffrey DeMunn | ... |
Clifford Odets
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Jack Fitzgerald | ... |
Clapper Man
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| Nancy Foy | ... |
Autograph Girl
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| Anne Haney | ... |
Hairdresser
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| Richard L. Hawkins | ... |
Bum on Street
(as Richard Hawkins)
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| James Karen | ... |
Judge Hillier
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| Jessica Lange | ... |
Frances Farmer
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| Darrell Larson | ... |
Louella's Spy
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Patricia Larson | ... |
Mrs. Hillier
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Albert Lord | ... |
'Flowing Gold' A.D.
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Vincent Lucchesi | ... |
Arresting Sergeant
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Jack Manning | ... |
Studio Photographer
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| Gerald S. O'Loughlin | ... |
Lobotomy Doctor
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| Woodrow Parfrey | ... |
Dr. Doyle
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| Christopher Pennock | ... |
Dick Steele
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| Rod Pilloud | ... |
Martoni Kaminski
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Larry Pines | ... |
Man on Phone / Bookie Joint
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| John Randolph | ... |
Kindly Judge
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| Allan Rich | ... |
Mr. Bebe
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| Jack Riley | ... |
Bob Barnes
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| David Schroeder | ... |
Studio Lawyer
(as David V. Schroeder)
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Helen Schustack | ... |
Wardrobe Mistress
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| Sandra Seacat | ... |
Drama Teacher
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| Charles Seaverns | ... |
Real Estate Man
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| Sam Shepard | ... |
Harry York
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| Lane Smith | ... |
Dr. Symington
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| Kim Stanley | ... |
Lillian Farmer
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Karin Strandjord | ... |
Connie
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| Vern Taylor | ... |
Studio Executive
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Andrew Winner | ... |
Firechief
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| Biff Yeager | ... |
Motorcycle Cop
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| Keone Young | ... |
Chinese Doctor
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| Alexander Zale | ... |
Man in Screening Room
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Paul Fleming | ... |
Reporter / Publicist / Photographer
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| M.C. Gainey | ... |
Reporter / Publicist / Photographer
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| Roger Galloway | ... |
Reporter / Publicist / Photographer
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Matthew Goldsby | ... |
Reporter / Publicist / Photographer
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Paul Keith | ... |
Reporter / Publicist / Photographer
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| F. William Parker | ... |
Reporter / Publicist / Photographer
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Charles Shull | ... |
Reporter / Publicist / Photographer
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Teda Bracci | ... |
Mental Patient
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| Jan Burrell | ... |
Mental Patient
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Flo Di Re | ... |
Mental Patient
(as Flo di Re)
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Dodds Frank | ... |
Mental Patient
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| Patricia Gaul | ... |
Mental Patient
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Robin Ginsburg | ... |
Mental Patient
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| Pamela Gordon | ... |
Mental Patient
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| Anjelica Huston | ... |
Mental Patient
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Jamie Johnston | ... |
Mental Patient
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Ola Kauffman | ... |
Mental Patient
(as Ola Kaufman)
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Donna Lamana | ... |
Mental Patient
(as Donna LaMana)
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Sharmagne Leland-St. John | ... |
Mental Patient
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Jane Lillig | ... |
Mental Patient
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Alexandra Melchi | ... |
Mental Patient
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Patricia Post | ... |
Mental Patient
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| Zelda Rubinstein | ... |
Mental Patient
(as Zelda Rubenstein)
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Nina Schneider | ... |
Mental Patient
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Marlene Silvers | ... |
Mental Patient
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Vicki Williams | ... |
Mental Patient
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Susan Wolf | ... |
Mental Patient
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Tom Amundsen | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
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Anne Haslett | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
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Barry Jamesby | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
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Leonard Lookabaugh | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
(as Len Lookabaugh)
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Oceana Marr | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
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Vahan Moosekian | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
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Tom Pletts | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
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Eileen T'Kaye | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
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Lila Waters | ... |
Doctor / Nurse / Orderly
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Charles Prior | ... |
Soldier
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| Carl Kraines | ... |
Soldier
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Kevin Costner | ... |
Luther / Man in Alley (uncredited)
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Dennis Crosswhite | ... |
Orderly (uncredited)
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| Ralph Edwards | ... |
Self -- Host of This is Your Life (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
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| David Eisen | ... |
Photographer (uncredited)
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| J. Michael Flynn | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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| Ted King | ... |
Doctor (uncredited)
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| Casey MacGill | ... |
Singer (uncredited)
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Michael Mallory | ... |
Seattle Reporter (uncredited)
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| Rick May | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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| Allen Nause | ... |
Reporter / Publicist / Photographer (uncredited)
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| Jayne Taini | ... |
Nurse (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Graeme Clifford | ||
Written by
| Eric Bergren | ... | (written by) & |
| Christopher De Vore | ... | (written by) (as Christopher Devore) and |
| Nicholas Kazan | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Mel Brooks | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| Charles Mulvehill | ... | associate producer |
| Jonathan Sanger | ... | producer |
| Marie Yates | ... | co-producer |
Music by
| John Barry | ||
Cinematography by
| László Kovács | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| John Wright | ||
Editorial Department
| Donah Bassett | ... | negative cutter |
| Aubrey Head | ... | color timer |
| Kathy Virkler | ... | assistant film editor |
| Charles Woolf | ... | assistant film editor |
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
| William Biggerstaff | ... | painter |
| David Goldstein | ... | location lead painter |
| 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 | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Michael Colgan | ... | sound editor |
| Nicholas Korda | ... | assistant adr editor (as Nick Korda) |
| Robert J. Litt | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Robert Nichols II | ... | sound recordist |
| 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 | ... | 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 | ... | camera operator: second unit / second unit camera |
| George Ressler | ... | grip best boy (as George Resler) |
| Robert M. Stevens | ... | camera operator (as Robert Stevens) |
| Joseph E. Thibo | ... | assistant camera |
| Jeff Gershman | ... | first assistant camera (uncredited) |
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) |
Location Management
| Joe O'Har | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| John Barry | ... | conductor |
| Kenneth Hall | ... | music editor |
| Cliff Kohlweck | ... | music editor (as Clif Kohlweck) |
| Dan Wallin | ... | music scoring mixer |
| Albert Woodbury | ... | orchestrator (as Al Woodbury) |
| James Thatcher | ... | musician: French horn (uncredited) |
| Louise Di Tullio | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Wendy Sterne Brown | ... | script supervisor |
| Stewart O. Jacobson | ... | script consultant |
| Lois Kibbee | ... | script consultant |
Transportation Department
| Paul Casella Jr. | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Walt Freitas | ... | transportation captain (as Walter Freitas) |
Additional Crew
| Randy Auerbach | ... | assistant: Jonathan Sanger |
| Blanche Bisbing | ... | assistant production accountant |
| Ginnie Bukowski | ... | assistant to director |
| Paulette 'Pete' Elkins | ... | assistant to director (as Pete Elkins) |
| Gigi Gray | ... | assistant to director |
| Vince Heileson | ... | production accountant |
| Deborah Hutchison | ... | unit publicist (as Deborah Rosen) |
| Carole Noia | ... | research consultant |
| 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 (a production)
- EMI Films (courtesy of)
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1982) (United States) (theatrical)
- Associated Film Distribution (AFD) (1982) (United States) (theatrical)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1982) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Adams Filmi (1983) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Ados Films S.A. (1983) (Spain) (theatrical)
- City-Euro-Centra (C.E.C.) (1983) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Constantin-Film (1983) (Austria) (theatrical)
- Greater Union Organisation (GUO) (1983) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1983) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Senator Film (1983) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Spentzos Films (1983) (Greece) (theatrical)
- HBO Video (1983) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- MTC Video (1983) (Greece) (VHS)
- Thorn EMI Video (1983) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Sandrew Film & Teater (1984) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Sociedade Importadora de Filmes (SIF) (1984) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Thorn EMI Video (1984) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- National Film Development Corporation (1985) (India) (theatrical)
- Herald Ace (1986) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Warner Home Video (1988) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- TV3 (1989) (Finland) (tv)
- Cannon Screen Entertainment (West Germany) (VHS)
- Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (United States) (VHS)
- Lumiere Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
- Rautakirja (Finland) (VHS)
- Thorn EMI Video Australia (Australia) (VHS)
- Thorn-EMI Video (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
- Weintraub Entertainment Group (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Nelonen (1997) (Finland) (tv)
- Canal+ Distribution (1998) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Republic Pictures Home Video (1998) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Artisan Entertainment (1999) (United States) (DVD) (widescreen)
- Artisan Entertainment (1999) (United States) (VHS)
- Republic Pictures Home Video (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (2002) (United States) (DVD) (widescreen)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (2002) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Arthaus (2002) (Germany) (DVD)
- Starz / Anchor Bay (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Starz / Anchor Bay (2002) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- StudioCanal (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Finland (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2006) (Finland) (tv)
- Gativideo (2007) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Gativideo (2007) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2010) (United States) (DVD)
- The Cinema (2021) (Japan) (tv) (subtitled)
- The Criterion Channel (2022) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
- Future Film (Finland) (DVD)
- Imprint Films (2023) (Australia) (Blu-ray) (Included in Jessica Lange box set)
- Kino Lorber Studio Classics (2024) (United States) (Blu-ray)
Special Effects
- Pacific Title (opticals)
Other Companies
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (camera dollies)
- Pacific Title (titles)
- Panavision (camera: Panaflex)
- Panavision (lenses)
- Pickwick/Maslansky/Koenigsberg Inc. (publicity)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Frances Farmer, a precocious Seattle teenager, takes unpopular social and political positions, to the mixed reactions of her parents. Frances becomes an actress and has some strong success in New York City, but her refusal to bend her convictions and her outspoken (but sometimes naive) political expressiveness cause her difficulties, especially after she accepts a Hollywood contract. Torn between new-found success and intense feelings that she does not deserve the riches and fame she gains from the phoniness of Hollywood, Frances butts heads with studio executives and with her own mother, who revels in Frances's fame but provides Frances no emotional support. When drunken fights and arrests derail her career, Frances is sent to a psychiatric hospital with the acquiescence of her mother. What follows is a nightmare of poor treatment and psychological trauma, augmented by the increasing determination of Frances's mother to control her daughter's life.
Written by Jim Beaver |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Beautiful. Talented. Intelligent. Courageous. Her name was Frances Farmer. She should have been the silver screen's Greatest Star. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Opening Weekend United States | $11,624, 26 Dec 1982 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Jessica Lange's performance in this film has been said to be actor Sir Anthony Hopkins's favorite by an actress. See more » |
| Goofs | Among the framed portraits of actresses under contract to Paramount Pictures hanging on Mr. Bebe's office walls is one of Joan Crawford. But Crawford was an MGM contract player at the time portrayed in the scene and never worked for Paramount. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The 55th Annual Academy Awards (1983). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Piano Sonata in A Major, K331 See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The following disclaimer appears in the end credits (the uppercase as it appears on screen): "In exchange for the use of certain facilities and per agreement with the California Department of Mental Health, the producers have agreed to the following disclaimer, 'SINCE THE 1940's THERE HAVE BEEN MAJOR ADVANCES IN THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF THE MENTALLY ILL. THE REPREHENSIBLE CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED BY FRANCES FARMER ARE NOT TYPICAL OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT TODAY.'" See more » |
| Quotes |
Arresting Sergeant:
Your name? Frances Farmer: You jerks drag me down here in the middle of the night and you don't know who the hell I am? Arresting Sergeant: Your name lady? Frances Farmer: Frances Elena Farmer. Want me to spell it? Arresting Sergeant: And your address? Frances Farmer: Put me down as a vag, vagrant, vagabond. What is this, a joke? It's a joke? Assault and battery? Huh? I barely touched that bitch. Arresting Sergeant: Occupation? Frances Farmer: Cocksucker. See more » |