The Substitute Wife (1994 film)

The Substitute Wife is a 1994 television film written by Stan Daniels, directed by Peter Werner and starring Farrah Fawcett, along with Lea Thompson and Peter Weller.

The Substitute Wife
Original promotional poster
GenreDrama
Romance
Western
Written byStan Daniels
Directed byPeter Werner
StarringFarrah Fawcett
Music byMark Snow
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersMichael O. Gallant
Andrew Golov (associate producer)
Production locationAustin, Texas
CinematographyNeil Roach
EditorMartin Nicholson
Running time92 minutes
Production companiesFrederick S. Pierce Company
Patchett Kaufman Entertainment
DistributorNBC
Release
Original networkNBC
Picture formatColor
Audio formatStereo
Original releaseMay 23, 1994 (1994-05-23)

Premise

In Nebraska, during the pioneer days, a farm wife who knows she's going to die (Thompson) hires a prostitute (Fawcett) to take her place with her husband (Weller). The dying woman reasons that if the family is left without a motherly figure, the family will lose their farm.

Cast
  • Farrah Fawcett as Pearl
  • Lea Thompson as Amy Hightower
  • Peter Weller as Martin Hightower
  • Karis Paige Bryant as Jessica (as Karis Bryant)
  • Cory Lloyd as Nathan
  • Colton Conklin as Jack
  • Annie Suite as Mrs. Van Der Meer
  • Babs George as Mrs. Parker
  • Gena Sleete as Hattie Donahue
  • Gail Cronauer as Isabel Donahue
  • Lou Perryman as Saloon Keeper

Reception

The Substitute Wife received generally positive reviews. Ray Loynd of the Los Angeles Times praised Stan Daniels' script, and went on to say "at times funny, daring, endearing and unpredictable, the production has the texture and flavor of Willa Cather’s Nebraska fiction — except that the values espoused in “The Substitute Wife” would shock most mortals both then and now."[1]

In a review from Todd Everett for Variety, stated that "the story is so good-natured that women should wind up more entertained than offended by Stan Daniels' witty and ultimately touching script", which he compared to the 1950 film No Sad Songs for Me. He also praised the performances of Thompson and Fawcett's characters, which he deemed the "strongest onscreen relationship".[2]

Home media

The Substitute Wife was originally released in the United States on LaserDisc format via Vidmark Entertainment on February 8, 1995.[3]

References
  1. Loynd, Ray (May 23, 1994). "TV REVIEW : 'Substitute Wife' a Pioneer Love Story : Farrah Fawcett is transformed from prostitute to bride in 19th-Century Nebraska. It's an unusually frank network film". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  2. Everett, Todd (May 23, 1994). "The Substitute Wife". Variety. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  3. "The Substitute Wife LaserDisc NEW Fawcett Thonspon Drama". dadons.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.


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