Thursday's Child (1983 film)

Thursday's Child is a 1983 American made-for-television drama film starring Rob Lowe, Gena Rowlands and Don Murray, directed by David Lowell Rich and based on the book by Victoria Poole.

Thursday's Child
DVD cover for Thursday's Child
GenreTeen drama
Based onThursday's Child novel by Victoria Poole
Written byGwen Bagni-Dubov
Directed byDavid Lowell Rich
StarringRob Lowe
Gena Rowlands
Don Murray
Music byLee Holdridge
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersGregory Harrison
Franklin R. Levy
Ronald Parker
ProducerPeter Katz
CinematographyCharles F. Wheeler
EditorJ. Terry Williams
Running time100 minutes
Production companiesCatalina Productions
Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
Viacom Productions
DistributorCBS
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture formatColor
Audio formatMono
Original release
  • February 1, 1983 (1983-02-01)

Plot

Sam Alden is the 17-year-old high school star player in football who seems to have it all. However, his family notices that he is often bothered with fits of coughing. Worried, his parents decide to take him to the hospital, where they are shocked to find out that he has a life-threatening heart disease. Sam has trouble dealing with his illness, but he pretends to still be a joyful teenager to not have his parents worrying even more than they already do. His health is deteriorating, though, and it is eventually revealed that he needs a heart transplant if he wants to survive. This is the beginning of a long journey, which is mentally and physically exhausting. Sam has countless operations, and tests. The search for a donor seems endless to him. Even before the final operation, Sam is forced to deal with several setbacks in his life.

Cast

Release

For Rob Lowe, this film meant his official introduction to the screen.[1] The film was shot in 1982 and slated to premier in December 1982. However, it was postponed two times (because of the death of Sam Poole, the real "Sam Alden", around Christmas, 1982) and it eventually premiered in February 1983.[2]

The film was generally well received and was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards. Lowe was nominated in the category Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV and Gena Rowlands in the category Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV.

References

  1. Review Summary The New York Times
  2. Synopsis Variety
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