''A Death in Canaan'' is a 1978 American made-for-television

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super- ...

directed by Tony Richardson and starring

Stefanie Powers Stefanie Powers (born November 2, 1942) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jennifer Hart on the mystery television series '' Hart to Hart'' (1979–1984), for which she received nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards a ...

, Paul Clemens, and

Brian Dennehy Brian Manion Dennehy (; July 9, 1938 – April 15, 2020) was an American actor of stage, television, and film. He won two Tony Awards, an Olivier Award, and a Golden Globe, and received six Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Dennehy had roles i ...

.BFI | Film & TV Database | A DEATH IN CANAAN (1978)
Its plot concerns the true-life story of a teenager who is put on trial for the murder of his mother in a small

Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the ...

town. Nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, 1978. The film is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Joan Barthel. The film first aired on the CBS ''Wednesday Night Movies'' on March 1, 1978, and was never officially released on any analog or digital medium for rental or sale. Arthur Miller's one-act play '' Some Kind of Love Story'' (1984) is loosely based on the same incident. He later adapted it into a screenplay for '' Everybody Wins'' (1990) starring Debra Winger and Nick Nolte.

Cast

– Joan Barthel * Paul Clemens – Peter Reilly * Tom Atkins – Lt. Bragdon * Jacqueline Brookes – Mildred Carston *

– Barney Parsons * Conchata Ferrell – Rita Parsons *

Charles Haid Charles Maurice Haid III (born June 2, 1943) is an American actor and television director, with notable work in both movies and television. He is best known for his portrayal of Officer Andy Renko in '' Hill Street Blues''. Haid was born in Sa ...

– Sgt. Case *

Floyd Levine Floyd Levine (born February 23, 1932) is an American film and television actor. He played Dr. Ralph Harris in the 1978 film '' Bloodbrothers''. He also played Gen. Duncan in the 1988 film '' Braddock: Missing in Action III'' and Lt. Mellin in ...

– Thomas Lanza * Kenneth McMillan – Sgt. Tim Scully *

Gavan O'Herlihy Gavan John O'Herlihy (29 July 1951 – 15 September 2021) was an American actor. He was known for playing Chuck Cunningham in the first episodes of ''Happy Days'', as well as his appearances in films such as ''Never Say Never Again'', ''Death W ...

– Father Mark * Yuki Shimoda – Dr. Samura * James Sutorius – Jim Barthel * Bonnie Bartlett – Teresa Noble *

William Bronder William Bronder (June 12, 1930 – May 6, 2015) was an American film and television actor. He first served in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as well as the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Afterwards he turned to Hollywood in the 1960s to ...

– Judge Revere *

Pat Corley Pat Corley (June 1, 1930 – September 11, 2006) was an American actor. He was known for his role as bar owner Phil on the CBS sitcom ''Murphy Brown'' from 1988 to 1996. He also had a recurring role as Chief Coroner Wally Nydorf on the tel ...

– Judge Vincet * Art Mehr – Drugstore Owner Art * Charles Hallahan – Cpl. Sebastian * Mary Jackson – Sarah Biggens * Sally Kemp – Barbara Gibbons * Doreen Lang – Nurse Pynne *

Lane Smith Walter Lane Smith III (April 29, 1936 – June 13, 2005) was an American actor. His well-known roles included newspaper editor Perry White in the ABC series '' Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'', Walter Warner in ''Son in Law'', coll ...

– Bob Hartman *

Michael Talbott Michael Talbott (born February 2, 1955) is an American actor. He portrayed Detective Stanley Switek in the crime drama television series '' Miami Vice'' (1984–1989). Early life Michael was born on February 2, 1955, in Waverly, Iowa, to parents ...

– Trooper Miles

Location

Outdoor scenes were filmed in Ferndale and

Eureka, California Eureka (Wiyot: ''Jaroujiji'', Hupa: ''do'-wi-lotl-ding'', Karuk: ''uuth'') is the principal city and county seat of Humboldt County in the Redwood Empire region of California. The city is located on U.S. Route 101 on the shores of Humboldt B ...

References

External links

* 1978 films 1978 crime drama films 1978 television films American crime drama films CBS network films Crime films based on actual events Films based on non-fiction books Films directed by Tony Richardson Films set in Connecticut Films shot in California American drama television films 1970s English-language films 1970s American films {{1970s-crime-drama-film-stub