The Promise of Love
Encyclopedia
The Promise of Love is a 1980
television film directed by Don Taylor
. The film was originally titled Personal Effects.
. While his absence, she spends her time at the local recreation center and befriends her neighbor Lorraine Simpson, a mother whose husband is also away to fight at the war
. When she is informed that her husband has been killed, she is devastated and loses all lust in life. Her mother notices that she is unable to deal with his death and enters her into a war widow support program. She also advices her to move back into her parental house, but she refuses to.
At the urge of her family and friends, Kathy tries to adjust to normal life again, but she has trouble hiding the fact that she still feels miserable. She is ordered to leave the apartment she lived in with her late husband, because they are meant for Marine Corps families only. She reluctantly packs to leave the only place that reminds her of Chuck and seeks refuge at the local swimming pool. There, she is noticed by Sam Daniels, the owner of the recreation center who was just closing up. Knowing about her past, he assumes that she is trying to commit suicide, despite her claims that she wasn't. Sympathizing with her, he offers Kathy a job as a swimming instructor. Although it doesn't pay well, she accepts the job.
When she tells her parents, they react enthusiasticly, until she reveals that she is moving in with Lorrain, thereby not returning home. At the pool, she impresses the staff and is promoted to being a life guard. She soon becomes happier and grows closer to Sam. One evening, they get drunk and kiss. This makes her feel guilty, thinking she is somehow cheating on Chuck, who has been dead for only four months. She contacts a psychologist, who helps her to move on with her life. Before spending the night with him, Kathy admits to Sam that she only feels happy when she is around him. The next morning, she realizes that she isn't ready for a relationship. and turns back to her parents. She apologizes to them for her behavior, but tells them that they can't feel sorry for her. In the end, she leaves town to build up a life another place.
1980 in film
- Events :* May 21 - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is released and is the biggest grosser of the year ....
television film directed by Don Taylor
Don Taylor (actor)
Don Taylor was an American movie actor and director best known for his performances in 1950s classics like Stalag 17 and Father of the Bride and the 1948 film noir The Naked City...
. The film was originally titled Personal Effects.
Plot
Starting in 1967 Oceanside, Kathy Wakeman is a high school senior who, soon after graduation, abandons her college plans to marry her mariner sweetheart Chuck Wakemore. Their lives as a newlywed is short-lived, as he is ordered to serve in VietnamVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. While his absence, she spends her time at the local recreation center and befriends her neighbor Lorraine Simpson, a mother whose husband is also away to fight at the war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. When she is informed that her husband has been killed, she is devastated and loses all lust in life. Her mother notices that she is unable to deal with his death and enters her into a war widow support program. She also advices her to move back into her parental house, but she refuses to.
At the urge of her family and friends, Kathy tries to adjust to normal life again, but she has trouble hiding the fact that she still feels miserable. She is ordered to leave the apartment she lived in with her late husband, because they are meant for Marine Corps families only. She reluctantly packs to leave the only place that reminds her of Chuck and seeks refuge at the local swimming pool. There, she is noticed by Sam Daniels, the owner of the recreation center who was just closing up. Knowing about her past, he assumes that she is trying to commit suicide, despite her claims that she wasn't. Sympathizing with her, he offers Kathy a job as a swimming instructor. Although it doesn't pay well, she accepts the job.
When she tells her parents, they react enthusiasticly, until she reveals that she is moving in with Lorrain, thereby not returning home. At the pool, she impresses the staff and is promoted to being a life guard. She soon becomes happier and grows closer to Sam. One evening, they get drunk and kiss. This makes her feel guilty, thinking she is somehow cheating on Chuck, who has been dead for only four months. She contacts a psychologist, who helps her to move on with her life. Before spending the night with him, Kathy admits to Sam that she only feels happy when she is around him. The next morning, she realizes that she isn't ready for a relationship. and turns back to her parents. She apologizes to them for her behavior, but tells them that they can't feel sorry for her. In the end, she leaves town to build up a life another place.
Cast
- Valerie BertinelliValerie BertinelliValerie Anne Bertinelli is an American actress, best known for her roles as Barbara Cooper Royer on the television series One Day at a Time , Gloria on the television series Touched by an Angel and Melanie Moretti on the sitcom Hot in Cleveland .- Early years :Bertinelli was born in Wilmington,...
as Kathy Wakeman - Shelley LongShelley LongShelley Lee Long is an American actress best known for her role as Diane Chambers on the sitcom Cheers, for which she won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress and two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress...
as Lorraine Simpson - Craig T. NelsonCraig T. NelsonCraig Theodore Nelson is an American actor. He is probably best known for his Emmy-winning roles as Hayden Fox on the TV series Coach, and as Steve Freeling in the 1982 film Poltergeist. He also starred in The Incredibles in 2004 as Mr...
as Major Landau - Jameson ParkerJameson ParkerFrancis Jameson Parker Jr. is an American actor, best known as the co-star of the 1980s television series Simon & Simon.-Biography:Parker studied drama at Beloit College...
as Sam Daniels - Andy RomanoAndy RomanoAndy Romano is an American actor, known for playing "J.D." in the 1960s Beach Party movies ....
as John, Kathy's father - Joanna MilesJoanna MilesJoanna Miles is an American actress.Miles was born in Nice, France, the daughter of Jeanne Miles, an American painter, and Johannes Schiefer, a French painter art curator. She immigrated to the United States, and was naturalized a citizen, in 1941...
as Toni, Kathy's mother - David James CarrollDavid Carroll (actor)David Carroll , sometimes billed as David James Carroll, was an American actor whose last, and best remembered, role was that of Baron Felix von Gaigern in Grand Hotel: The Musical....
as Chuck Wakeman - Lauri HendlerLauri HendlerLauri Hendler is an American actress, best known for her role as the middle child Julie Kanisky on Gimme a Break!Her television guest appearances include CHiPs, Lou Grant, Three's Company, Magnum, P.I., Mr...
as Laurie - Virginia Kiser as Beverly
- Craig T. NelsonCraig T. NelsonCraig Theodore Nelson is an American actor. He is probably best known for his Emmy-winning roles as Hayden Fox on the TV series Coach, and as Steve Freeling in the 1982 film Poltergeist. He also starred in The Incredibles in 2004 as Mr...
as Major Landau - Karlene Crockett as Tracy
- Dey YoungDey YoungDey Young is an American actress and sculptor.Young was born in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the daughter of Pauline, a sociologist, and Donald E. Young. Her older sister is actress Leigh Taylor-Young; her brother Lance is a writer/director. She attended Kingswood School...
as Jennifer