Fresno (1986): Cast & Plot
Fresno is a 1986 comedy drama directed by Jeff Bleckner, starring Natalie Gregory as China Kensington, Dabney Coleman and Luis Ávalos. It runs 6 hours.
- Runtime
- 6h (360 min)
- Director
- Jeff Bleckner
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- MTM Enterprises
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Fresno About?
The premise of Fresno without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The power, the passion, the produce—these define the battle in Fresno, California, where the once‑prosperous Kensington family’s raisin empire has slipped into hard times. Widowed matriarch Charlotte strives to rescue the family’s legacy, but a bitter power struggle with rival raisin magnate Tyler Cane threatens to destroy everything they have built.
Fresno Themes & Keywords
· 25 tags- parody comedy
- raisin
- spoof
- matriarch
- fresno california
- widow
- water supply
- search for parent
- power struggle
- murder
- mother son relationship
- masked ball
+13 more Show fewer
- male female relationship
- intrigue
- husband wife relationship
- greed
- family relationships
- eccentricity
- drifter
- courtroom
- competition
- brother brother relationship
- attempted murder
- tv mini series
- soap opera spoof
Fresno Cast & Characters
Natalie Gregory leads the cast as China Kensington, with Dabney Coleman as Tyler Cane and Luis Ávalos as Juan. Directed by Jeff Bleckner; 38 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jeff Bleckner
- Natalie Gregory as China Kensington
-
Dabney Coleman as Tyler Cane - Luis Ávalos as Juan
- Gregory Harrison as Torch
Also Starring in Fresno
· 34 more- Carol Burnett Charlotte Kensington
- Charles Grodin Cane Kensington
- Jeffrey Jones Mr. Acme
- Louise Latham Ethel Duke
- Teresa Ganzel Bobbi Jo Bobb
- Bill Paxton Billy Joe Bobb
- Melanie Chartoff Desiree DeMornay
- Anthony Heald Kevin Kensington
- Pat Corley Earl Duke
- Tammy Lauren Candy Cane
- Valerie Mahaffey Tiffany Kensington
- Teri Garr Talon Kensington
- Dakin Matthews Prosecutor
- Jerry Van Dyke Tucker Agajanian
- George D. Wallace Judge Henry Bejajian
- Jack Kehler Sergeant Cooper
Show all 38 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Henry Darrow Commandante
- Todd Susman Sergeant Dobbs
- Raye Birk Mr. Loats
- Michael Richards 2nd Henchman
- Thomas Hill Mr. Crowther
- Tom Poston Doc Parseghian
- J.E. Freeman 1st Henchman
- Terry Beaver 1st Guard in Visiting Room
- Raleigh Bond Organ Store Manager
- Greg Lewis 2nd Guard in Cellblock
- Charles Keating Charles
- Mike Jolly 1st Policeman
- Robert Hanley 2nd Policeman
- Bill McIntyre Bailiff
- Troy Curvey Jr. Troy
- Peter Jolly Mall Policeman
- Mary Anne Dorward Female Newsperson
- Mitch Kalamian
More from Jeff Bleckner
More films directed by Jeff Bleckner: Away and Back, Remember Sunday, Loving Leah and The Russell Girl.
Fresno Plot Summary
What happens in Fresno from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1581, conquistadors exploring California named a valley “Fresno” after the bitter taste of its grapes. In present-day Fresno, the raisin-growing empire of the once-wealthy Kensington family is locked in a high-stakes battle with their former partner, Tyler Cane. The Kensingtons pin their hopes on a new grape variety they’ve developed, hoping the breakthrough will secure their legacy and dominance in the region. Foreman Juan is entrusted with getting the prototype raisins to the patent office in Sacramento, but on the way, Cane’s men ambush the delivery and destroy the shipment. A mysterious stranger named Torch saves Juan from the attack, and the two men return to the ranch, where Torch is hired as a ranch-hand.
Full summary
The whole story of Fresno, scene by scene
Seen Fresno?
Movies Like Fresno
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Addicted to Fresno, Bitter Melon and The Family Tree.
Fresno FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Director
Runtime, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Fresno, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Fresno?
Fresno runs 6 hours (360 minutes).
Who directed Fresno?
Fresno was directed by Jeff Bleckner.
More films by Jeff Bleckner Who is in the cast of Fresno?
Fresno stars Natalie Gregory as China Kensington, Dabney Coleman as Tyler Cane and Luis Ávalos as Juan, among 38 credited actors.
Does Fresno have a post-credit scene?
No. Fresno has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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