''The Thanksgiving Promise'' is a 1986 American

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

starring and directed by

Beau Bridges Lloyd Vernet "Beau" Bridges III (born December 9, 1941) is an American actor. He is a three-time Emmy Award, Emmy, two-time Golden Globe Award, Golden Globe and one-time Grammy Award winner, as well as a two-time Screen Actors Guild Award nomine ...

, based on the 1983 young adult novel ''Chester, I Love You'' by Blaine Yorgason and Brenton Yorgason. It was produced by

Walt Disney Television The first and original incarnation of Walt Disney Television was an American production company and the original/former television production division of the Walt Disney Company, which was active from April 18, 1983 to 2003. Productions from ...

, and originally aired November 23, 1986 as a presentation of '' The Disney Sunday Movie'' on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

Plot

Travis Tilby leaps into action when neighbor Stewart Larson asks him to mind an ailing goose slated to be part of Thanksgiving dinner. A gentle animal lover, Travis dotes on the bird, feeding it by hand and speaking to it in soothing tones. However, as Thanksgiving nears, Travis has second thoughts about seeing the bird slaughtered, and he appeals to his father, Hank, and others in the community for help in saving the goose.

Cast

as Hank Tilby *

Millie Perkins Millie Perkins (born May 12, 1936) is an American retired model and film and television actress known for her debut film role as Anne Frank in ''The Diary of Anne Frank (1959 film), The Diary of Anne Frank'' (1959), and for her supporting actre ...

as Lois Tilby *

Courtney Thorne-Smith Courtney Thorne-Smith (born 1966 or 1967) is an American actress. She is known for her starring roles as Alison Parker on '' Melrose Place'', Georgia Thomas on '' Ally McBeal'', and Cheryl Mabel on '' According to Jim'', as well as her recurrin ...

as Sheryl *

Ed Lauter Edward Matthew Lauter Jr. ( ; October 30, 1938 – October 16, 2013) was an American actor and stand-up comedian. He appeared in more than 200 films and TV series episodes in a career that spanned over 40 years. Early life Lauter was born and ...

as Coach Gruniger * Anne Haney as Mrs. Sudsup * Beau Dremann as Alec * Bill Calvert as Jason Tilby * Jordan Bridges as Travis Tilby *

Jason Bateman Jason Kent Bateman (born January 14, 1969) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Michael Bluth in the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox / Netflix sitcom ''Arrested Development'' (2003–2019) and Marty Byrde in the Netflix crime drama s ...

as Steve Tilby *

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 ...

as Stewart Larson * Jason Naylor as Arnold * Jessica Puscas as Jenni Tilby *

Joshua Bryant Joshua Bryant (born Joseph Bryant; July 2, 1940 – June 25, 2024) was an American actor, director, author, and speaker who was the founder of the Taos Talking Pictures Film Festival in Taos, New Mexico. Early life and education Bryant was ...

as Sam the Vet * Zero Hubbard as Jeff * Tina Caspary as 1st Girl * Scott Nemes as 1st Boy * Kiblena Peace as Emily * Mark Clayman as Tommy * Dorothy Dean Bridges as Aggie Larson * Allan Dietrich as Square Dance Caller * Lucinda Jany as Neighbor Lady * Leonard P. Geer as Old Man *

Jeff Bridges Jeffrey Leon Bridges (born December 4, 1949) is an American actor. He is known for his Leading actor, leading man roles in film and television. In a career spanning over seven decades, he has received List of awards and nominations received by ...

as Neighbor (uncredited)

References

External links

* 1986 television films 1986 films 1986 drama films 1986 in American television 1980s American films 1980s English-language films American Broadcasting Company original films American drama television films Disney television films English-language drama films Films about geese Films based on American novels Films based on young adult literature Films scored by Bruce Broughton Television films based on books Thanksgiving in films Walt Disney anthology television series episodes {{US-tv-drama-film-stub