Heidi (1968) (TV)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

Earl Hamner Jr. (writer)
Johanna Spyri (novel)

Release Date:

17 November 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot Keywords:

Young Girl | Switzerland | Goat | Children | Mountain

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Maximilian Schell	...	Herr Richard Sesemann
Jean Simmons	...	Fräulein Rottenmeier
Jennifer Edwards	...	Heidi
Michael Redgrave	...	Heidi's grandfather
Walter Slezak	...	Father Richter
Peter van Eyck	...	Doctor Raboux
Karl Lieffen	...	Sebastian, the Butler
Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel	...	Grandmother
Miriam Spoerri	...	Dete
John Moulder-Brown	...	Peter
Zuleika Robson	...	Klara
John Crawley	...	Klaus

Also Known As:

Heidi kehrt heim (West Germany)

Runtime:

Germany:96 min | USA:105 min

Country:

West Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Trivia:

This was the TV adaptation of "Heidi" that, through no fault of its own, became embroiled in a U.S. broadcasting brouhaha known to this day as the "Heidi Bowl." On Sunday, 17 Nov 1968, the NBC television network was scheduled to begin airing "Heidi" at 7pm Eastern Standard Time, following coverage of an American Football League game between the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders. The game ran long; however, with the Jets leading the Raiders, 32-29, NBC broke away to begin "Heidi" on schedule. During the unseen remaining minute of play, Oakland managed to score two touchdowns, and ended up beating New York, 43-32. Outraged football fans inundated NBC switchboards. The network expressed regret, saying it had intended to stay with the game until it ended, and blaming a series of miscommunications for the gaffe. A result of this fiasco is that National Football League television contracts require games to be televised in their entirety.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004) (TV)

The Heidi Game

Check out the 1937 version starring Shirley Temple, you won't be disappointed!

This movie's claim to fame: On November 17, 1968, the New York Jets led the Oakland Raiders 32-29, with 50 seconds to go. It was the end of the hour, and even though the score was close, NBC switched over to the movie Heidi. In the next 42 seconds, Oakland scored two touchdowns to win 43-32. As a result, all NFL contests are now televised to their conclusion.