''Cross of Fire'' is a 1989 American television
miniseries
A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format h ...
based on the rape and murder of
Madge Oberholtzer
Madge Augustine Oberholtzer (November 10, 1896 – April 14, 1925) was a white American woman whose rape and murder played a critical role in the demise of the second incarnation of the Ku Klux Klan. In March 1925, while working for the state ...
by
D. C. Stephenson
David Curtis "Steve" Stephenson (August 21, 1891 – June 28, 1966) was an American Ku Klux Klan (KKK) leader, convicted rapist and murderer. In 1923 he was appointed Grand Dragon of the Indiana Klan and head of Klan recruiting for seven other s ...
, a highly successful leader of the
Indiana branch of
Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan (), commonly shortened to the KKK or the Klan, is an American white supremacist, right-wing terrorist, and hate group whose primary targets are African Americans, Jews, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and ...
. It stars
John Heard as Stephenson and
Mel Harris
Mary Ellen "Mel" Harris is an American actress best known for her role as Hope Murdoch Steadman in the ABC drama series ''Thirtysomething'' (1987–1991), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination in 1990.
Early life and education
Har ...
as Oberholtzer.
Lloyd Bridges
Lloyd Vernet Bridges Jr. (January 15, 1913 – March 10, 1998) was an American film, stage and television actor who starred in a number of television series and appeared in more than 150 feature films. He was the father of four children, includi ...
is also in the cast. It was originally shown in two parts (2 hours each night). The first was watched by 17.5 million viewers and the second by 20.4 million.
In syndication, it is shown as a television movie.
Awards
Emmy Award
The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Special-for Part 1
References
External links
*
American films based on actual events
Films directed by Paul Wendkos
1980s American television miniseries
1989 American television series debuts
Television series set in the 1920s
Films about the Ku Klux Klan
1989 films
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