''Cross of Fire'' is a 1989 American television

miniseries In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...

based on the rape and murder of Madge Oberholtzer by D. C. Stephenson, a highly successful leader of the Indiana branch of

Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan (), commonly shortened to KKK or Klan, is an American Protestant-led Christian terrorism, Christian extremist, white supremacist, Right-wing terrorism, far-right hate group. It was founded in 1865 during Reconstruction era, ...

. It stars John Heard as Stephenson and Mel Harris 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.

Cast

* John Heard as David "D.C." Stephenson * Mel Harris as Madge Oberholtzer * David Morse as Klell Henry *

George Dzundza George Dzundza ( ; born July 19, 1945) is a retired American actor. He is known for his varied work in film and on television, including '' The Deer Hunter'' (1978), '' Skokie'' (1981), '' No Way Out'' (1987), '' The Beast'' (1988), '' Impulse'' ...

as Boyd Gurley * Donald Moffat as George Oberholtzer *

Kim Hunter Kim Hunter (born Janet Cole; November 12, 1922 – September 11, 2002) was an American theatre, film, and television actress. She achieved prominence for portraying Stella Kowalski in the original production of Tennessee Williams' ''A Streetcar ...

as Mrs. Oberholtzer * Dakin Matthews as Hiram Evans *

William Schallert William Joseph Schallert (July 6, 1922 – May 8, 2016) was an American character actor who appeared in dozens of television shows and films over a career spanning more than 60 years. He is known for his roles on ''Richard Diamond, Private ...

as Reverend * Dion Anderson as Senator Monroe * Gilbert Lewis as Levi Thomas * Tony Mockus Sr. as Judge Sparks (credited as Tony Mockus) * Peggy Rea as Eunice Schultz *

Stephen Root Stephen Root (born November 17, 1951) is an American actor. He has starred as Jimmy James on the NBC sitcom ''NewsRadio'' (1995–1999), as Milton Waddams in the film ''Office Space'' (1999), and voiced Bill Dauterive and Buck Strickland on the a ...

as Beggs * Luke Reilly as Millencamp *

Richard Riehle Richard Riehle (born May 12, 1948) is an American character actor. A prolific performer, he has appeared in over four hundred films, television shows and other projects, making him one of the most-credited live action performers. Life and career ...

as Duvall * Christopher Curry as Hollings * Ray Reinhardt as Dr. Kingsbury * Tim Snay as Governor Jackson * Alan Clarey as Dr. Foreman * Joneal Joplin as Dr. Moon * Mark Robbins as Crowe *

as Eph Inman * Peggy Freisen as Harriet Monroe * Jennifer Glimpse as Linda Ann Ferguson * T. Max Graham as Kenley * Annie Kellogg as Jommy * Paul Meier as Templett * Lynn Milgrim as Marsha Eames * Marc Penney as LeBouf * Jeris Poindexter as Royal Eames * James Shelby as Broadbent * Olivia Virgil White as Allie Eames (credited as Olivia Virgil Harper) * Mimi Wickliff as Mrs. Adderly * Pam Kristin as Secretary * Buzz Barton as The Mayor of Addis (uncredited)

Awards

Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award categor ...

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 {{US-drama-tv-prog-stub