''Life with Billy'' is a 1994 Canadian
television film
A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
based on the non-fiction
book of the same name by
Brian Vallée. The film was nominated for five
Gemini Awards
The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in the United States a ...
, and won three.
The film begins with
Jane Hurshman (Beatty) shooting her
common-law husband
Common-law marriage, also known as non-ceremonial marriage, marriage, informal marriage, or marriage by habit and repute, is a legal framework where a couple may be considered married without having formally registered their relation as a civi ...
Billy Stafford (McHattie) in his sleep, and then shows the resulting police investigation and trial, interspersed with flashbacks showing the
domestic abuse
Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. ''Domestic violence'' is often used as a synonym for ''intimate partner v ...
that Stafford inflicted on Hurshman over the course of their relationship.
Cast
*
Nancy Beatty
Nancy Beatty is a Canadian actress. Best known as a stage actress,"Veteran actress lands the mother of all mother roles in The Glass Menagerie". '' Calgary Herald'', November 30, 1999. she has also appeared in film and television roles.
On stage, ...
as Jane Hurshman
*
Stephen McHattie
Stephen McHattie Smith (born February 3, 1946)Other sources cite 1945, 1947, and 1948. is a Canadian actor. Since beginning his professional career in 1970, he has amassed over 200 film and television credits. He won the Genie Award for Best Sup ...
as Billy Stafford
*
Deb Allen as Mandy
*
Glenn Wadman as Ronnie Wamboldt
*
Matthew Ferguson
Matthew Ferguson (born 3 April 1973) is a Canadian former actor. He is known for his roles in '' On My Own'' (1991), ''Love and Human Remains'' (1993), ''Lilies'' (1996), and '' La Femme Nikita'' (1997–2001).
Life and career
Ferguson was bo ...
as Allan Whynot
*
Joadi Newcomb as Dini Harrison
*
Nancy Marshall
Nancy may refer to:
Places France
* Nancy, France, a city in the northeastern French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle and formerly the capital of the duchy of Lorraine
** Arrondissement of Nancy, surrounding and including the city of Nancy
...
as Bernice Wamboldt
* Tony Quinn as Cpl. Lawson
*
Richard Donat
Richard Donat (born 1 June 1941) is a Canadian actor, known for his work in Canadian and American television. He is well known for playing the character Vince Teagues in the Canadian–American TV series, '' Haven''. Donat is the younger brot ...
as Constable Snow
Awards
Won
*
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in the United States ...
for Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series - Paul Donovan
* Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series - Stephen McHattie
* Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series - Nancy Beatty
Nominations
* Gemini Award for Best TV Movie - Eric Jordan & Michael Donovan
* Gemini Award for Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series - John Frizzell & Judith Thompson
Read also
*
External links
*
*
Book author profileOfficial Website of Brian ValleeLife with Billy series in the Brian Vallée archival fonds
English-language Canadian films
Canadian television films
1994 drama films
Films set in Nova Scotia
Films shot in Nova Scotia
Films based on non-fiction books
Films about domestic violence
Canadian Screen Award-winning television shows
1994 television films
1994 films
Films directed by Paul Donovan
1990s Canadian films
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