VISIONS: LIZA'S PIONEER DIARY (TV)
Summary
One in this anthology series presenting the work of American playwrights. This drama concerns one woman's experiences as a pioneer crossing the Nebraska plains in 1848. Interspersed throughout the drama are excerpts of her journal entries. The program begins as Liza Stedman and her in-laws join up with four other pioneer wagons and start traversing a large canyon. Homesick and frightened, particularly since she is pregnant, Liza is determined to keep a positive attitude. Everyone is worried when they realize that their guide, Harrod, is unsure of the route, and the group must backtrack to catch up with two other families. As the weeks go by, Liza befriends her husband Ebon's Aunt Sarah, and strikes up a friendship with a friendly, independent woman, Kate Scofield. Liza learns more about Ebon's true character under the harsh circumstances: he grows increasingly overbearing, trying to control her actions and even her words, and yet she is too scared to upset him. When Ebon's mother, Mrs. Stedman, is stricken with cholera, on her deathbed, she entreats Liza to convince Ebon to stop the wagon train once a week and observe the Sabbath. But even after Mrs. Stedman dies, Liza is unable to stand up to her husband. Liza takes on additional responsibilities after Mrs. Stedman's death -- and goes into premature labor. Liza is upset when she loses her child, but Ebon takes the news worse, forbidding her to leave the wagon or socialize with other pioneers who might carry disease. When Mr. Stedman insists on returning home to properly arrange his wife's grave and mourn her in their native Kentucky, Ebon considers giving up on their journey, but decides to persevere. But Liza and Ebon's relationship changes when his leg is broken. As Liza takes on more responsibilities, she starts to resent Ebon's domineering ways, and Kate and Sarah encourage her to stand up to Ebon. Liza is put to the test when one of the wagons breaks down and decisions must be made. Since Ebon is injured, Liza takes his place in the deliberations, and although she must make a personal sacrifice, she is proud of her newfound assertiveness.
Details
- NETWORK: KCET-TV (Los Angeles, CA) / PBS
- DATE: November 18, 1976
- RUNNING TIME: 1:28:20
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T85:0892
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; She Made It Collection (Barbara Schultz)
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1976-1980
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Barbara Schultz … Executive Producer
- Nell Cox … Producer, Director, Writer
- Eileen Sopannen … Co-Producer
- Michael Kamen … Music by, Composer, Conductor
- Joseph Raposo … Theme Music by, For "Visions"
- Andra Akers … Cast, Kate
- Lucille Benson … Cast, Mrs. Zink
- Patrick Burke … Cast, Mr. Stedman
- Katherine Helmond … Cast, Aunt Sara
- Dennis Redfield … Cast, Ebon
- Ayn Ruyman … Cast, Liza
- Fran Ryan … Cast, Mrs. Stedman
- Tim Scott … Cast, Harrod
- Noble Willingham … Cast, Mr. Dunster
- Kim Buss … Cast, Jennie Scofield
- Cory Cudia … Cast, Mrs. Meece
- Angie Espinoza … Cast, the Indian Girl
- Michael Harvey … Cast, Buzzy Stedman
- Luke Jones … Cast, Mr. Zink
- Rex King … Cast, Mr. Johnson
- Rebecca Losick … Cast, Rebecca Scofield
- Maralyn Millar … Cast, Mrs. Dunster
- Dixon Newberry … Cast, Zeke Trueblood
- Glenna Picket … Cast, a Dunster child
- Helen Picket … Cast, Mrs. Johnson
- Patty Picket … Cast, a Dunster child
- Jay Quintana … Cast, the Trueblood father
- Margaret Roberts … Cast, Cousin Emma Zink
- David Ross … Cast, Jake Scofield
- Duke Sundt … Cast, Mr. Meece
- Steven Wick … Cast, Tyler Stedman
- Chris Williams … Cast, a Johnson child
- David Williams … Cast, a Johnson child
- Lisa Williams … Cast, a Dunster child
- Sean Williams … Cast, a Dunster child