Double Feature and Talkback with Oscar Winner Ernest Thompson

The Constituent-Written and directed by On Golden Pond Academy Award winner Ernest Thompson, this short film is adapted from his one-act play by the same name. In it, Chas Potter, a small-town New Hampshire voter, for decades has written no-holds-barred letters to his senator in Washington, D.C. The content of his missives may be more profane than profound but there’s no mistaking the constituent’s patriotic concern, culminating in an uproarious confrontation when the senator has finally had enough and comes calling. The story is more timely than ever. And even funnier. And it’s crazy funny. And unexpectedly moving. And even reassuringly optimistic, proving that authentic human connection can still trump our political differences. Well, maybe not trump, but at least can serve as an invitation to cross the mythical bridge and reassure us that we have more in common than we realize. Filmed on a paper-thin budget on location in rural New Hampshire, The Constituent stars two veteran theatre, film and television actors, Ernest Thompson and NYPD Blue Emmy winner Gordon Clapp (in roles Burgess Meredith and Ned Beatty originally played on TV), with a lovely and tender cameo by Ernest’s frequent costar Lisa Bostnar.

Watch Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnvsHbZTl1k

On Golden Pond-On Golden Pond is a 1981 drama film directed by Mark Rydell from a screenplay written by Ernest Thompson, adapted from his 1979 play of the same name. It stars Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda (in his final theatrical film), Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman and William Lanteau. In the film, Norman (Henry Fonda), a crusty, retired professor grappling with many effects of aging, has been married for many years to upbeat, feisty Ethel (Katharine Hepburn), and has had a remote, difficult relationship with their daughter, Chelsea (Jane Fonda). At their summer home on Golden Pond, Norman and Ethel agree to care for Billy, the son of Chelsea's new boyfriend, and an unexpected relationship blooms.

On Golden Pond was released theatrically on December 4, 1981, to critical and commercial success. Reviewers highly praised Rydell's direction, Thompson's screenplay and the performances of the cast. The film grossed $119.3 million domestically, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 1981 in North America. It received ten nominations at the 54th Academy Awards, including for Best Picture, and won three: Best Actor (Henry Fonda), Best Actress (Katharine Hepburn) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Watch Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y85sfYVOS84

Meet the Academy Award-winning writer of On Golden Pond Ernest Thompson in Gardiner, Maine, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Johnson Hall Opera House. Ernest will be showing his new short film The Constituent, a double feature with his beloved classic, On Golden Pond, with a Q&A in between.

Ernest has acted with, written for and/or directed more than 30 fellow Oscar winners and nominees. The author of ten movies, 37 plays, two novels and 250 songs, Ernest has been blessed (sometimes cursed) to collaborate with some true legends in each of his fields, in film: Katharine Hepburn and Henry and Jane Fonda (On Golden Pond), Susan Sarandon and Jeff Daniels (Sweet Hearts Dance), Robert Downey, Jr., Winona Ryder and Bruce Dern (1969), Kirk Douglas (The Lies Boys Tell), Shirley MacLaine, Liza Minnelli and Kathy Bates (The West Side Waltz), Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer (the Live TV On Golden Pond); in the theatre, Hepburn and Dorothy Loudon (The West Side Waltz), Jack Lemmon and Estelle Parsons (A Sense of Humor); as a lyricist, Carly Simon (“The Father Daughter Dance”), Joan Osborne (“Look Around”), Natalie MacMaster (“On Golden Pond”) and Griffin William Sherry (“Cross the Bridge”).

(And he’s got stories about them all. Bring your questions.)

Ernest’s novel The Book of Maps has kept Ernest needing one on his endless book tour. His next, Out Clause, arrives on March 3, 2026. Currently he’s putting together the pieces for his long overdue sequel, Home On Golden Pond, and preparing for next season’s Broadway revival of his original play, On Golden Pond, this time directed by and starring the author.

His short film The Constituent in which Ernest performs the title role across from his frequent costar, Emmy winner Gordon Clapp, has played to enthusiastic audiences throughout New England, including a stop at the Maine International Film Festival. Maine’s own Griffin William Sherry cowrote and performs the movie’s theme song and, we’re hoping, will share the stage when Ernest is at Johnson Hall.

Throughout the summer of 2025, Ernest has been performing his one-man show, Archie Parish’s Parting Words, to riotous response and is in conversations to take the play to Johnson Hall after the new year, stay tuned.

Learn more at www.ErnestThompson.us.