Absolute Strangers

Absolute Strangers is a 1991 made-for-television CBS docudrama featuring Happy Days star Henry Winkler returning to his first major TV role in eight years.[1] The screenplay, written by Robert Woodruff Anderson, was based on the true story of a husband's controversial decision to have his wife undergo an abortion to aid her recovery after a head-trauma accident had left her comatose.[2] The title is taken from court decision that used "absolute strangers"—itself apparently derived from a courtroom outburst by the husband—to describe two anti-abortion activists, one of whom sued the husband to get custody of the fetus, the other to be appointed guardian of the comatose wife.[2][3][4]

Absolute Strangers
GenreDrama
Written byRobert Anderson
Directed byGilbert Cates
StarringHenry Winkler
Music byCharles Fox
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerGilbert Cates
ProducersDennis E. Doty
Peggy Griffin (associate producer)
CinematographyMark Irwin
EditorMillie Moore
Running time96 min.
Production companiesAbsolute Strangers Company
Gilbert Cates Productions
DistributorCBS
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture formatColor
Audio formatMono
Original releaseApril 14, 1991 (1991-04-14)

The impending broadcast of the film spurred anti-abortion activists, including the American Family Association, to try to discourage advertisers from buying time during the show.[1][4][5] These efforts provoked counter-demonstrations,[5] and campaigns of letter-writing in support of the broadcast from Planned Parenthood, the National Council of Jewish Women, and other groups.[6]

The real-life husband, Martin Klein, appeared in a cameo. Henry Winkler played Martin Klein, with his wife Nancy played by Jennifer Hetrick. Others in the cast included Karl Malden as Nancy Klein's father, Patty Duke as the appeals court judge (personally opposed to abortion) in the pivotal court case, and Richard Kiley as a doctor who favors abortion in such cases.[7][8]

The film's director, Gilbert Cates, was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.[9][10]

Cast

References
  1. Jerry Buck (AP) (April 13, 1991). "Henry Winkler returns to acting". The Free Lance-Star.
  2. Pat Milton (AP) (April 13, 1991). "Real Life Story Sets Up Hard Choices". The Free Lance-Star.
  3. Michael Hill (April 12, 1991). "Absolute Strangers' is skillful, compelling look at abortion". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  4. Kathy O`Malley (April 14, 1991). "Winkler's Latest Role Not The Stuff Of Happy Days". Chicago Times. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  5. Dennis McDougal (March 13, 1991). "Battle Lines Form Over 'Strangers'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  6. Cynthia L. Cates; Wayne V. McIntosh (2001). Law and the web of society. Hastings Center Studies in Ethics. Georgetown University Press. pp. 187–190. ISBN 0-87840-860-6.
  7. Greg Dawson (April 14, 1991). "'Strangers' Could Use More Fonz, Less Fred". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  8. Ron Miller (April 11, 1991), "Henry Winkler returns in 'Absolute Strangers", The Day
  9. "Absolute Strangers". IMDb. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  10. "Absolute Strangers". Outstanding directing in a miniseries or a special 1991. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
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