Promises in the Dark (film)


Promises in the Dark is a 1979 American drama film directed by Jerome Hellman and written by Loring Mandel. The film stars Marsha Mason, Ned Beatty, Susan Clark, Michael Brandon, Kathleen Beller and Paul Clemens. The film was released by Warner Bros. and Orion Pictures on November 2, 1979.

Plot

Numbed by career demands and a recent divorce, Dr. Alexandra Kendall hides behind a hard shell of professional detachment. Then she treats Buffy Koenig, a dying 17-year-old cancer patient who reawakens Kendall to life's possibilities. Eventually, Buffy's deteriorating forces Dr. Kendall to weigh the consequences of keeping a promise she made to her.

Cast

Writer Loring Mandel conceived the story for Promises in the Dark while he was employed as head writer on the daytime drama Love of Life. When the soap's executive producer Darryl Hickman rejected the idea, Mandel quit the show and developed the plot into a feature screenplay.
The project was initially in development at United Artists, with actress Elizabeth Ashley cast in the starring role and John Schlesinger set to direct, with Arnold Schulman and Jerome Hellman producing. However, with the exception of Hellman, no one remained with the project, and the project was inactive for many years. Arthur Krim, chairman at the newly formed Orion Pictures, selected the script as one of the company’s first projects on the strength of Hellman’s previous productions, such as Midnight Cowboy and Coming Home. In addition to serving as producer, Hellman served as director.