MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO AND ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT SALUTE EXCELLENCE IN TELEVISION SCREENING SERIES, THE: THE BOY IN THE PLASTIC BUBBLE (TV)
Summary
This dramatic made-for-television movie features John Travolta in his first major dramatic performance on television as a boy born without any immunity to disease who must live in a sterile plastic environment, a germ-free Plexiglas "cage." With the help of his loving parents and Dr. Gunther, a caring physician, Tod matures into an intelligent, well-rounded young adult, but is forced to deal with the frustrations of living in isolation when he falls in love with the girl next door. Based on an actual clinical case, the movie begins as Mickey and Johnny Lubitch become the proud parents of beautiful baby boy. They soon discover, however, that Tod will have to live in a totally sterile environment because his body is unable to fight diseases. After living in the hospital for several years, Tod is transferred home, becoming the subject of intense media attention. Their neighbors, the Platts, come over to say hello and introduce their daughter Gina to Tod. Many years later, Tod's sterilization unit has expanded in the house and Dr. Gunther informs him that doctors in Tokyo have done promising research into remedies for Tod's condition. The local high school sets up a closed-circuit television system so that Tod can join the class on a regular basis, which will make him feel more like a normal teenager for the first time. When his first overtures to express his feelings for Gina are meet with insensitivity, Tod decides he wants to go back to the hospital for awhile. He is put in a room with another teenager living in a bubble and the two become friends, discussing their feelings as teenagers. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin visits Tod at the hospital and gives him an autographed photo. Feeling guilty about what happened with Tod, Gina offers to help him with his schoolwork. When she tries apologize, however, he doesn't want to listen at first. Realizing what a burden he has been to his parents, Tod convinces them to take a vacation, which they feel is also a way for Tod to be alone with Gina. With his parents away, Tod goes outside to watch Gina ride her horse and convinces her to jump over his portable bubble, despite the risk of tearing the plastic. When his parents return home, Tod and Dr. Gunther have devised an astronaut-like suit that will allow Tod to attend school in person. At school, Gina tries to make Tod feel as if he is just another student instead of a freak, but he endangers his life by trying to impress her in a push-up competition. Tod confesses that he loves Gina, and she surprises him by admitting she already knew that. When graduation day arrives, Tod must make the ultimate life-or-death decision about his future. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 12, 1976 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:37:05
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:52708
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, medical; Diseases; Immune system
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1976
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Aaron Spelling … Executive Producer
- Leonard Goldberg … Executive Producer
- Joel Thurm … Producer
- Cindy Dunne … Producer
- Shelley Hull … Associate Producer
- Randal Kleiser … Director
- Douglas Day Stewart … Writer
- Joseph Morgenstern … Writer
- Mark Snow … Music by
- Paul Williams … Music by
- John Travolta … Cast, Tod Lubitch
- Glynnis O'Connor … Cast, Gina
- Robert Reed … Cast, Johnny Lubitch
- Diana Hyland … Cast, Mickey Lubitch
- Ralph Bellamy … Cast, Dr. Ernest Gunther
- Buzz Aldrin … Cast, himself
- John Friedrich … Cast, Roy Slater
- Kelly Ward … Cast, Tom Shuster
- Skip Lowell … Cast, Bruce Shuster
- John Megna … Cast, Smith
- Vernee Watson … Cast, Gwen
- Darryl Zwerling … Cast, Mr. Brister
- P.J. Soles … Cast, Deborah
- Timothy Himes … Cast, the Obnoxious Reporter
- Victor Brandt … Cast, the TV Installer
- Hilda Haynes … Cast, the Nurse
- Jack McLaughlin … Cast, the Principal
- Erna Foxworth … Cast, the Neighbor
- Karri Kirsch … Cast, Gina (3 years old)
- Kimberly Kirsch … Cast, Gina (3 years old)
- Seth Wagerman … Cast, Tod (3 years old)
- Anne Ramsey … Cast, Rachel
- Karen Morrow … Cast, Martha Biggs
- Howard Platt … Cast, Pete Biggs