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The late Farrah Fawcett: 'Burning Bed' or poster girl?
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Farrah Fawcett was first a pin-up and then an example the path to becoming a serious actress. Leaving "Charlie's Angels" after one season of playing Jill Munroe, she went on to star in William Mastrosimone's controversial play "Extremities" in 1983 and then in 1984, in the TV movie "Burning Bed."
For the off-Broadway production, Fawcett replaced Susan Sarandon in the role of a woman, Marjorie, who was first stalked, then attacked--escaping and going to the police.
In the movie, Fawcett starred and her mane was modified and she was used in the promotional poster.
Marjorie works at a museum and is attacked by a masked man while getting into her car. Her attacker Raul (James Russo) has her wallet and eventually confronts her at her home. Marjorie fights back, and eventually overcomes Raul and ties him up. When Marjorie's roommates return, they discuss what do to. Terry feels that since no rape occurred, the law cannot touch Raul. Patricia (Alfre Woodward) insists on calling the police.
In the original Los Angeles production, Lauren Hutton played Marjorie.
For the 1986 movie, Fawcett was nominated for a 1986 Golden Globe. You can see the movie trailer with Fawcett on YouTube. Jodie Foster's "The Accused" would come out in 1988. Fawcett would also be nominated six times for the Golden Globes.
"The Burning Bed" was based on a non-fiction book, written by Faith McNulty about Francine Hughes. Hughes was a Michigan housewife who endured 13 years of domestic abuse before burning her husband to death while he slept in 1977. She was judged not guilty by reason of insanity.
Hughes was actually divorced from her husband, but he refused to leave the family home and demanded his "conjugal rights" according to "The Meaning of Wife" by Anne Kingston. The police refused to get involved.
The movie earned Fawcett the first of three Emmy nominations (the last one was for her 2004 work on "The Guardian"). The movie is often credited as being the first to offer a nationwide 800 number to help others in similar situations.
Fawcett was more than just a beautiful, if troubled woman. She was a fighter and an actor who took on demanding roles about topics like rape and domestic violence that needed greater public advocacy and attention.
Fawcett, who died today at age 62 of cancer, was, in that respect, more than just a pretty face. She was a fighter for women's rights and it was on stage with "Extremities" that she first got some respect.
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