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 movie… 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

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Michael Landon
Written By: Michael Landon
Genres: Drama

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Cast

            Eli Wallach as Sam Orowitz

            Anne Jackson as Harriet Orowitz

            Timothy Patrick Murphy as Gene Orowitz

            Hallie Todd as Cathy Stanton

            Alan Hayes as Robert Woods

            Michael Landon as Gene Orman

            Howard Witt as Cy Martin

            John Walcutt as Ronnie Morgan

            William H. Bassett as Mr. Turner

            L. Harvey Gold as Jake Bellow

            James Karen as Mr. Collins

            David Adams as Truck Driver

            Mickey Morton as Customer

            Philip Proctor as Art Fisher

            Martin Rudy as Dr. Warren

            Kurt Smildsin as Track Official

            Young Buck as Marv Gates

            David Nelson as Lonnie Morgan

            Barbara Collentine as Miss Bass

            Robert Balderson as Track Official

            Bill Boyett as Coach Sutter

            Herb Mitchell as Coach Diener

            B.J. Turner as Customer

            Dave Morick as Field Judge

            Michael Griswold as Cathy Stanton's Father

            Gavin H. Mooney as Police Officer

            Jonna Lee as Bonnie Barnes
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