Sam's Son: Michael Landon's Own Story (1984)
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This largely autobiographical story written and directed by Michael Landon stars Timothy Patrick Murphy as Gene Orowitz (Landon's real name was Eugene Orowitz), a frail teenager with a talent for throwing the javelin and a close relationship to his father Sam (Eli Wallach), the manager of a… More This largely autobiographical story written and directed by Michael Landon stars Timothy Patrick Murphy as Gene Orowitz (Landon's real name was Eugene Orowitz), a frail teenager with a talent for throwing the javelin and a close relationship to his father Sam (Eli Wallach), the manager of a movie theater. Sam's real love in life is writing fiction, and he pounds the keys of his typewriter well into the night as he tries to finish a major opus. One day when Gene sees Samson and Delilah (1949) at the theater where his father works, he becomes certain that whatever strength he has is due to his long hair and he refuses to cut his hair, even though long hair turns the school principal apoplectic and has to be disguised when Gene is at a sports meet. Gene's life is not a bed of roses, yet when he is dumped by his girlfriend Bonnie for Robert (Alan Hayes), an arrogant football player who has bullied him whenever the chance arose, his good friend Cathy (Hallie Todd) stays by his side. Later, he has his own revenge with Robert by connecting with a right to the jaw, shocking everyone, perhaps even himself. Gene has been working out to get ready for a big school meet and is a bit stronger in his javelin-tossing arm. As the day of the big meet approaches, life changes dramatically for him -- and the movie's climax, though it appears contrived, actually happened to Landon in real life. Landon also plays a small role in the film as a movie star visiting his hometown -- and in some ways, he was "Sam's son" because he himself took to writing -- including the script for this movie, in fact. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Landon
- Written By
- Michael Landon
- Genres
- Drama
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Cast
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Eli Wallach
as Sam Orowitz
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Anne Jackson
as Harriet Orowitz
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Timothy Patrick Murphy
as Gene Orowitz
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Hallie Todd
as Cathy Stanton
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Alan Hayes
as Robert Woods
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Michael Landon
as Gene Orman
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Howard Witt
as Cy Martin
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John Walcutt
as Ronnie Morgan
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William H. Bassett
as Mr. Turner
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L. Harvey Gold
as Jake Bellow
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James Karen
as Mr. Collins
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David Adams
as Truck Driver
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Mickey Morton
as Customer
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Philip Proctor
as Art Fisher
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Martin Rudy
as Dr. Warren
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Kurt Smildsin
as Track Official
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Young Buck
as Marv Gates
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David Nelson
as Lonnie Morgan
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Barbara Collentine
as Miss Bass
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Robert Balderson
as Track Official
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Bill Boyett
as Coach Sutter
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Herb Mitchell
as Coach Diener
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B.J. Turner
as Customer
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Dave Morick
as Field Judge
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Michael Griswold
as Cathy Stanton's Father
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Gavin H. Mooney
as Police Officer
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Jonna Lee
as Bonnie Barnes