| A Private Matter | |
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Film poster |
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| Directed by | Joan Micklin Silver |
| Produced by | David C. Thomas |
| Written by | William Nicholson |
| Starring | Sissy Spacek Aidan Quinn William H. Macy Estelle Parsons |
| Music by | James Newton Howard |
| Cinematography | Paul Elliott |
| Editing by | Rick Shaine |
| Distributed by | Home Box Office (HBO) |
| Release date(s) | June 20, 1992 (USA)[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Private Matter is a 1992 film made for television (HBO) drama based on the true 1962 story of Sherri Finkbine, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona in the first trimester of her fifth pregnancy. She was the popular hostess of the locally produced children's television show Romper Room.
She was taking the drug thalidomide -- a drug which was, at one time, commonly given to pregnant women in order to alleviate morning sickness and other uncomfortable symptoms associated with pregnancy. In the early 60s, it became known that the use of thalidomide while pregnant caused significant deformities to the fetus. Sherri expressed concerns about the well-being of her own baby, and consulted with her physician who scheduled a legal, therapeutic abortion at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix.[2]
The hospital refused the use of their facilities for an abortion so Finkbine filed a lawsuit to compel the use of Good Samaritan Hospital. A public and bitter struggle ensued, culminating with Finkbine terminating her pregnancy in Sweden.[3]
The movie premiered on HBO on June 20, 1992.[1] It was noted at the time of the movie's release that U.S. network television had shied away from stories dealing with abortion.[4]
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