- Actors: Leona Gordon, Geraldine 'Gerri' Santoro
- Directors: Jane Gillooly
- Producers: Jane Gillooly, C.L. Monrose, Jane Kaufman
- Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
- Language: English
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Sma Distribution
- Release Date: Mar 27 2007
- Run Time: 57 minutes
- ASIN: B000KJU1IM
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#78,187 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
- #44 in DVD > Documentary > Series & Studios > Docurama
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Product Details |
Product Description
Description
Long ago, middle-aged Leona Gordon opened a Ms. magazine and saw the dead victim of a botched, illegal abortion. With a terrible shock she realized that the naked, blood-spattered corpse was her sister. This documentary examines the significance of the picture, and then offers a profile of the dead woman's life as told by Leona and her friends. Although shocking, the picture became an icon for pro-choice abortion activists. Her sister was Gerri Santoro born to a Connecticut farm family in the 1950s. She was pretty and vivacious and while in high school swore that she would find a husband before her best friend did. She ended up marrying Sebastian (Sam) Santoro and having two daughters by him. He was a violent-tempered man who frequently beat her. Later he moved his family to California in hopes that he could stop hurting her, but the abuse continued and Gerri finally took the children and returned to Connecticut. There she met and became sexually involved with the smooth-talking Clyde Dixon. She became pregnant, and because Sam was coming back for her, she decided to abort. But it was 1964 and abortions were illegal. It was Clyde who attempted to perform the operation in a motel room. By the time he finished, 28-year old Gerri was dead.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Stunning Indictment, July 22 2008
By Suzinne Barrett "Suzinne" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Leona's Sister Gerri (DVD)
I believe I saw this documentary on public television series as part of their Independent Focus documentary quite a few years ago. I've never forgotten it, because it haunts me still. From time to time, I would search on the web to find out the name of the film. All I could remember is the subject of the film was "sister Gerri." I'm so glad I was able to connect the dots through Google to finally find the correct title of this stunning documentary.The image that remains in my mind is the central focus of this story. It's a startling B&W police photo (think Wee Gee) of a naked woman face down in a bare hotel room with her own blood spattered on the carpet. She was the victim of an illegal abortion performed in that very hotel room. The woman was married w/ children and became pregnant through an affair. It was the early 60s and abortions were illegal. She was given the botched procedure and left there alone to die. What a stunning indictment of our country's abortion policy in the pre- Roe v. Wade days. You hear from Gerri's sister and Gerri's own children in the film. At one point Gerri sister Leona realizes that, after seeing this crime scene photo, which was being used as a poster in a pro-abortion marches, actually depicted her own kin. Gerri had literally become the poster child for pro-abortion feminists who rightfully or wrongfully saw this photo as a way to reveal the true horror of botched abortions.
--Siouxie, Brooklyn
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This my Aunt, May 24 2007
By William Lord - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Leona's Sister Gerri (DVD)
This is my Aunt Gerry. When I was little I was told that she lost her baby while bowling. Then she was gone, leaving my 2 cousins with their father. They left for California. Both had a series of bad marriages, drug problems, etc. One went into the Marines, one married a musician. I only hear tragic tales of their paths. I don't wonder why. I find fault with the air of hush-hush of the times, but can understand how she came to this path. The child of farmer immigrants, there was no example set, not enough time to love and protect. Set out like wild animal babies, they all made due with what they had. What they had was also what they gave their children; myself, cousins, and siblings included. We make choices...she made choices. I had an abortion at 15, then at 18 with a tubal. Worst thing I ever did...EVER. But I made those choices and will bear myself. Abortion must remain legal, but with a broad taste of consultations to be mandatory.Leona is my Mother.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning and heart breaking, July 16 2008
By Ginger - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Leona's Sister Gerri (DVD)
Wonderful and tragic film. I would like to thank all involved, especially Leona... how painful doing this must have been, such a brave lady to share this story with us. People need to see the human face of this issue, and this film does it so well, with such respect... More respect than Gerri was shown by those she mistakenly relied on in her life. Just looking at her simple purse, found at the scene brings tears to my eyes.I first saw the infamous photo of Gerri in the Village Voice, reprinted many years after the event - my stomach dropped and my blood ran cold. It is a simple picture...yet so very heartbreaking. My generation did not have to endure this fate...but it could be that way again. I agree with the sentiment "Never Again". Women should not die needlessly for someone else's self righteous ideals. Life is messy, everything isn't black and white. Everyone should see this, regardless of where they stand politically on this issue. This film shows that it isn't just about ideology - this is about people.
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