The Disappearance of Aimee

• Director: Anthony Harvey
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Drama
• Movie Type: Docudrama, Biopic
• Themes: Missing Persons
• Release Year: 1976
• Country: US
• Run Time: 110 minutes

Plot

In 1926, flamboyant evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson disappeared for six weeks. At first feared drowned (she'd been vacationing on a California beach at the time she vanished), Aimee finally showed up, wandering barefoot in the Mexican desert. For the benefit of the press, Aimee related a fantastic story of being kidnapped and held for ransom, a story given "credence" by a ransom note which popped up at her Four Square Gospel headquarters. Aimee's tale was full of holes; as more facts became known, it was apparent (to everyone but "true believers") that Aimee had spent those six weeks on a romantic idyll with Kenneth Ormiston, a married radio technician. This made-for-TV movie takes no sides in the controversy, offering generous space to both theories; still, Aimee does not come off as being particularly saint-like. Faye Dunaway stars as Aimee, Bette Davis co-stars as her domineering mother, and William Jordan is man-in-the-middle Ormiston. Written by John McGreevey, The Disappearance of Aimee was the November 17, 1976, presentation of NBC's Hallmark Hall of Fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Severn Darden; Bette Davis; Faye Dunaway; Lelia Goldoni; John Lehne; James J. Sloyan; Barry Brown; James Woods

Credit

Charles Rosen - Art Director, Anthony Harvey - Director, Arline Garson - Editor, Jerry Greenberg - Editor, Thomas W. Moore - Executive Producer, James A. Crabe - Cinematographer, Paul Leaf - Producer, John McGreevey - Screenwriter, Edith Head - Costumes Supervisor