ABC MINISERIES, AN: STEPHEN KING'S "STORM OF THE CENTURY" {PART 3 OF 3} (TV)
Summary
The third of this three-part miniseries written by Stephen King about a small town in Maine dealing with both a terrible snowstorm and a mysterious supernatural visitor.
Mike leads Sonny, Hatch, and Henry to the general store to gather up meat for the town hall. He decides to keep his revelation about Andre’s true identity a secret for the time being. Burt tries to search for Angela and Mrs. Kingsbury, who are both still missing, along with George Kirby. Kat, now calm after her earlier outburst, tries to calm the children when they ask about their missing parents, and they also discover that Ralphie is missing as well. Jack Carver goes outside to look for Angie, ignoring Molly’s warning not to. Molly becomes furious when she realizes Ralphie has disappeared. Meanwhile, Mike discovers Mrs. Kingsbury’s body buried in the snow near the general store. The body is clutching a note bearing the same message again: “give me what I want and I’ll go away.” Molly frantically searches for Ralphie and finds the door he entered. She hears his voice coming from the other side and opens the door, discovering he is unhurt. Ralphie claims that Andre was inside with him, but all she finds is a note identical to the one found on Mrs. Kingsbury’s body. Ralphie also bears a “present” that Andre gave him and Molly opens it despite Kat’s and Reverend Riggin’s warnings. The present turns out to be several round stones, all white except for one black one.
On the way back from the store, Sonny wonders aloud why the town is being made to suffer. Mike responds with a recitation from the Book of Job, although he skews the meaning of it somewhat, expressing his own frustration at their predicament. Angela stumbles back to the town hall and Jack runs to meet her, finding that her hair has turned white and that she is obviously highly disturbed. She claims that they have to give Andre what he wants, but doesn’t elaborate about what that might be, claiming that Andre wishes to call a “town meeting” that night where he will inform them of what he wants. Angela also starts talking about the disturbing dreams the townsfolk have experienced, including mentions of the missing Roanoke Colony. The children start behaving oddly, singing in unison at random times. As the townsfolk gather for the town meeting, Angela recalls what happened to her: she was “yanked back” as everyone watched the lighthouse crumble and describes seeing a demonic creature, causing her to faint. She then describes “flying” around, somehow suspended in midair by Andre’s cane. She witnessed policemen and other officials combing the island searching for the townsfolk, all missing. She also recalls that George was destroyed by whatever was holding them up, and that she was sent back to serve as a warning to the others.
The children stand in a semicircle, motionless and unresponsive. Suddenly they begin speaking again as Andre’s cane appears in the middle of the room, although none of the adults appear to be able to perceive it. The cane has a dog’s head instead of a wolf’s head, and the children all touch it one by one, fainting as they do. The adults hear about what’s happening and rush down to check on them, but they cannot prevent all of the children from fainting. They are alive but in some form of catatonia. There is mass confusion as one man is trampled in the mad rush to reach the children. Mike attempts to restore order and points out that the children are not dead and are probably not in immediate danger. The children all experience a dream wherein they are flying over the island, led by Andre and his cane. In reality, Andre is standing outside of the town hall. The generator starts to falter, although the townsfolk are heartened to learn that the storm may nearly be over. When the generator fails altogether Joanna goes into the back to fetch some candles and Andre corners her, preventing her from screaming.
Mike finds Andre with Joanna; she is somehow levitating and Andre threatens to make her burn herself if Mike attacks. Andre reveals that Reverend Riggins has molested his young nieces, and Mike asks him to stop revealing unpleasant truths, noting that he “sees only the bad” in the townsfolk. Andre retorts that the evil present in the town far outweighs the good, and that he is aware of all the sin and wrongdoing perpetrated by everyone. He asks that everyone be seated in the town hall in an hour for his “town meeting” before leaving and allowing Joanna to return to the ground. Everyone gathers as Andre appears at the appointed time. He walks down the center, revealing more hidden wrongdoings, such as Stan Hopewell’s embezzlement from the company where he works and gambling problem, Johnny Harriman’s and Kirk Freeman’s arson against a factory, and several men’s assault against a homosexual man. He once again assumes the form of Robbie’s mother in order to taunt and intimidate him.
Andre addresses the assembled crowd, saying that he came to Little Tall Island because of their ability to “pull together for the common good” and “keep a secret,” comparing them again to the Roanoke Colony. He explains that he is somehow also with the children, and shows them a vision of him flying along with them. He claims that if he were to drop them, they would die. The townsfolk immediately accede to whatever demand he gives of them in order to save the children. He reveals that he is thousands of years old and reveals his true appearance: that of an emaciated old man. He notes that his exceptionally long lifespan will be coming to an end within a few generations. Andre finally reveals what he wants: he wants a child to pass on his knowledge and experience to in order to carry out his work when he is gone, and that he intends to select one of the eight children he has sent to sleep. Mike stands up and steadfastly refuses this request, and the other townsfolk restrain him to prevent him from attacking Andre. Molly believes that they have no choice but to accept Andre’s request. Andre warns that while he cannot take one of the children he is able to punish the town for refusing him, warning that he will slaughter the entire town.
The townsfolk debate amongst themselves as to whether or not to accede to Andre’s demand. Some believe that they have no choice in the matter, and most of the town believes that Andre is capable of making good on his threats against them. Mike gets up to address the assembled townsfolk and urges them to stand against Andre, refusing to allow him to take one of their children. Reverend Riggins argues with him, although Mike believes that if they gave in to Andre’s demands that they would be unable to live with each other. Robbie notes that even if they do as Mike says, Andre could easily allow the children to fall and kill all of them. Mike wonders if Andre is bluffing, but others are convinced of his abilities and intentions. Some seriously consider giving the child away, but Mike points out that Andre is a murderer. When the other townsfolk refuse to listen to him, Mike proposes that the parents alone be allowed to make the vote, but it is pointed out that everyone in the community played a part in raising the children. Mike grows angry and vows to take Ralphie and leave, but the others prevent him from doing so; Molly noted that Ralphie is as much a part of the proceedings as anyone else, and Mike finds himself disgusted with her. Robbie finally puts the matter to a vote and the town nearly unanimously votes to give away a child, with Mike as the only dissenting vote.
At that moment, Andre returns and tells the townsfolk that they did the right thing. He produces the stones he gave Ralphie before, calling them “weirding stones,” and asks the parents of each child to come forth and draw one stone, using them to randomly determine which child will be taken. He goes from one parent to another, asking them not to reveal their stones until all of them have been drawn. One by one, the parents reveal their stones, each expressing immense relief when their stones turn out to be white. Finally it is revealed that Molly drew the black stone, and thus Ralphie is to be taken away by Andre. Molly is overcome by grief and anger, and she accuses Andre of somehow rigging the selection process to take away Ralphie. She tries to attack him but he easily repulses her. Andre bids them all farewell and advises them not to tell anyone else of what transpired on Little Tall Island. Andre picks up Ralphie and says that he will come to think of him as his father before they fly off into the night. Mike gets down on his knees, begging Andre to bring Ralphie back.
A few months later, on the mainland town of Machais, Molly speaks with a therapist, noting that Mike blames her for the loss of Ralphie and is planning on leaving her. She says that Ralphie was killed in the storm, and does not reveal what actually happened. Mike prepares to leave Little Tall Island for good, and Hatch is unable to convince him to stay. Mike goes on the road for nine years, trying to travel as far away from Little Tall Island as he can. Eventually he comes to settle in San Francisco, earning degrees in both law enforcement and accountancy and becoming a federal marshal. He recounts that Melinda died in 1990, supposedly from a heart attack. In 1993, Molly and Hatch get married, and Mike is glad that they’ve found some measure of happiness together. Jack and Angela get divorced soon thereafter and fight for custody of their son; Jack loses and commits suicide. In 1996 Robbie rebuilds the destroyed fishery and Sandra disappears on a boat, leaving behind only the word “Croaton” written on the boat, the same word found at the remnants of the Roanoke Colony. In San Francisco in 1998, Mike spots Andre and a now-teenaged Ralphie walking down the street, but finds that Ralphie has been altered, bearing fangs similar to Andre’s. He chases after them, but they vanish without a trace. He considers telling Molly about his encounter, but decides against it. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: February 18, 1999 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:55:31
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:56646
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1999
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV – Commercials – ACDelco automobile parts
- TV – Commercials – AT&T phone service
- TV – Commercials – Advil pain reliever
- TV – Commercials – Almay cosmetics
- TV – Commercials – American Express credit cards
- TV – Commercials – Blistex lip balm
- TV – Commercials – Budweiser beer
- TV – Commercials – Cadillac automobiles
- TV – Commercials – Carnival cruise line
- TV – Commercials – Claritin antihistamine
- TV – Commercials – Coca-Cola soft drinks
- TV – Commercials – Colgate toothpaste
- TV – Commercials – Dove soap
- TV – Commercials – E-Trade electronic broker
- TV – Commercials – GMC automobiles
- TV – Commercials – Great White paper
- TV – Commercials – Intel computer processors
- TV – Commercials – Jack in the Box restaurants
- TV – Commercials – Lever 2000 soap
- TV – Commercials – McDonald’s restaurants
- TV – Commercials – Midas brakes
- TV – Commercials – Nicorette nicotine gum
- TV – Commercials – Oldsmobile automobiles
- TV – Commercials – Pepperidge Farm cookies
- TV – Commercials – Pillsbury cooking dough
- TV – Commercials – Pontiac automobiles
- TV – Commercials – Primestar satellite television
- TV – Commercials – PureTouch water filters
- TV – Commercials – Re/Max real estate agency
- TV – Commercials – Saturn automobiles
- TV – Commercials – Sears department stores
- TV – Commercials – Sprint phone service
- TV – Commercials – Zantac heartburn medication
- TV – Commercials – “The Other Sister” motion picture
- TV – Promos – “20/20”
- TV – Promos – “A Very Brady Sequel”
- TV – Promos – “And the Beat Goes On…the Sonny and Cher Story”
- TV – Promos – “Brother’s Keeper”
- TV – Promos – “Home Improvement”
- TV – Promos – “Love American Style”
- TV – Promos – “Mr. Holland’s Opus”
- TV – Promos – “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher”
- TV – Promos – “Spin City”
- TV – Promos – “The Century”
- TV – Promos – “The Hughleys”
- TV – Promos – “The Norm Show”
- TV – Promos – “The Practice”
CREDITS
- Stephen King … Executive Producer, Writer
- Mark Carliner … Executive Producer
- Thomas H. Brodek … Producer
- Bruce Dunn … Associate Producer
- Robert F. Phillips … Line Producer
- Craig R. Baxley … Director
- Gary Chang … Music by
- Tim Daly … Cast, Mike Anderson
- Colm Feore … Cast, Andre Linoge
- Debrah Farentino … Cast, Molly Anderson
- Casey Siemaszko … Cast, Alton "Hatch" Hatcher
- Jeffrey DeMunn … Cast, Robbie Beals
- Julianne Nicholson … Cast, Katrina "Kat" Withers
- Dyllan Christopher … Cast, Ralph Emerick "Ralphie" Anderson
- Becky Ann Baker … Cast, Ursula Godsoe
- Spencer Breslin … Cast, Donny Beals
- Nada Despotovich … Cast, Sandra Beals
- Kathleen Chalfant … Cast, Joanna Stanhope
- Steve Rankin … Cast, Jack Carter
- Adam Zolotin … Cast, Davey Hopewell
- Torri Higginson … Cast, Angela Carver
- Adam LeFevre … Cast, Ferd Andrews
- Denis Forest … Cast, Kirk Freeman
- Peter MacNeill … Cast, Sonny Brautigan
- Beth Dixon … Cast, Tess Marchant
- Soo Garay … Cast, Melinda Hatcher
- Christopher Marren … Cast, Henry Bright
- Leif Anderson … Cast, Johnny Harriman
- Marcia Laskowski … Cast, Linda St. Pierre
- John Innes … Cast, Reverend Riggins
- Jack Jessop … Cast, George Kirby
- Nancy Beatty … Cast, Octavia Godsoe
- Richard Blackburn … Cast, Andy Robichaux
- Gaylyn Britton … Cast, Mary Hopewell
- Tyler Bannerman … Cast, Frank Bright
- Skye McCole Bartusiak … Cast, Pippa Hatcher
- Harley English-Dixon … Cast, Heidi St. Pierre
- Stephen Joffe … Cast, Buster Carver
- Sam Morton … Cast, Harry Robichaux
- Cayda Rubin … Cast, Sally Godsoe
- Kristin Baxley … Cast, Annie Huston
- Michael Copeman … Cast, Upton Bell
- Martha Burns … Cast, Counselor
- Shawn Doyle … Cast, Lucien Founder
- Norma Edwards … Cast, Betty Soames
- Victor Ertmanis … Cast, Alex Haber
- Richard Fitzpatrick … Cast, Jonas Stanhope
- Joan Gregson … Cast, Della Bissonette
- Jennifer Griffin … Cast, Carla Bright
- Nicky Guadagni … Cast, Jenna Freeman
- David Hughes … Cast, Burt Soames
- Helen Hughes … Cast, Roberta Coign
- Joel Keller … Cast, Cal Freese
- Matt Koruba … Cast, Ralphie (14 Yrs. Old)
- Hardee T. Lineham … Cast, Bill Toomey
- Arlene Mazerolle … Cast, Jill Robichaux
- Gerard Parkes … Cast, Orville Boucher
- Michael Rhoades … Cast, Stan Hopewell
- Kay Tremblay … Cast, False Mother