"Family" (1976) TV series 1976-1980

Creator:

Jay Presson Allen

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

9 March 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

The joys and heartaches of the Lawrence family of Pasadena, California.

Plot Keywords:

California | Suburbia | Marriage

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 18 nominations

Cast

Sada Thompson	...	Kate Lawrence (86 episodes, 1976-1980)
James Broderick	...	Doug Lawrence (86 episodes, 1976-1980)
Gary Frank	...	Willie Lawrence (86 episodes, 1976-1980)
Kristy McNichol	...	Letitia 'Buddy' Lawrence (86 episodes, 1976-1980)
Meredith Baxter	...	Nancy Lawrence Maitland (46 episodes, 1976-1980)
Quinn Cummings	...	Annie Cooper / ... (36 episodes, 1978-1980)

Runtime:

60 min (86 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

South Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

Spelling-Goldberg Productions

Trivia:

'Linda Palmer' was credited as "Linda Weintraub" for episodes 11 (2.4) and 12 (2.5) "Jury Duty" Parts 1 and 2, because in 1976 "Weintraub" was her married name.

Movie Connections:

Featured in America's Teenagers Growing Up on Television (1998) (TV)

An hour with the Lawrences made for TV time well spent

I first caught this show in re-runs on Lifetime and WOR 9 from New York in the late 80's, and I taped as many episodes as I could manage. I greatly admire the production values and story lines this frequently mawkish, yet unflinchingly progressive piece of late 70's serial TV "dramedy" had to offer in virtually every episode of it's four-year run. All of the key players were exceptional actors, and made for riveting television that has been largely taken for granted. With so much bunk arriving weekly on DVD, Columbia/TrisStar should really pick up the ball on this project and start compiling a comprehensive DVD collection while Sada Thompson and the rest of the crew are still with us, and can offer insightful reminiscence on a long-overdue and much-needed addition to the growing list of good and bad television shows available on DVD.