The Karen Carpenter Story

"The Karen Carpenter Story" is a TV movie that aired on CBS on January 1, 1989. It was directed by Joseph Sargent. Richard Carpenter served as a producer for the film as well as the musical score. It was very popular in the ratings, being one of the most watched shows of the week. Although the film's attempts to show the life of Karen Carpenter are usually accurate, there are factual inaccuracies.

Factual inaccuracies

In the movie, there is much false information. Tom Burris, Karen's husband, didn't have the same name as stated in the film nor did they divorce. Karen was still married to Tom ( Bob ) and was due to sign the final divorce papers the day she died. Karen is shown reacting to a "Billboard Magazine" article that describes her as "chubby". No such article was ever written about Karen. However, there was an article that claimed Richard to be "chubby." The film also gives the impression that Karen did not make a solo album in 1979. She did, but it was not released until 1996.

tory

The TV movie tells the story of the rise and fall of the brother-and-sister pop music duo, The Carpenters. The story begins with the collapse of Karen Carpenter in the closet of her parents' home in Downey, California on February 4, 1983. She is rushed to the hospital by paramedics, and as the EMT is placing an oxygen mask over her face, "Rainy Days And Mondays", recorded by the Carpenters on their self-titled album is playing. The scene shifts to teenage Karen Carpenter singing as she roller skates on the day the family moved into their home in Downey, (previously they had resided in New Haven, Connecticut). The film then shows the highs and lows of Karen's life from the 1960s to 1983. The film improbably attempts to end on a happy note, with Karen smiling after her mother says "I love you." The details about her subsequent death are superimposed on the screen before the closing credits.

Cast

*Cynthia Gibb as Karen Carpenter
*Mitchell Anderson as Richard Carpenter
*Peter Michael Goetz as Harold Carpenter, (father)
*Louise Fletcher as Agnes Carpenter, (mother)

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097648 The Karen Carpenter Story at the Internet Movie Database]