The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) (TV)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Randal Kleiser

Writers:

Joe Morgenstern (story) and
Douglas Day Stewart (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

12 November 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Based on a true story, Tod Lubitch is born with a deficient immune system (which is unlike being born with AIDS)...

Plot Keywords:

Caesarean Section | Horseback Riding | Doctor | High School | Hospital

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations

Cast

John Travolta	...	Tod Lubitch
Glynnis O'Connor	...	Gina Biggs
Robert Reed	...	Johnny Lubitch
Diana Hyland	...	Mickey Lubitch
Karen Morrow	...	Martha Biggs
Howard Platt	...	Neighbor
Buzz Aldrin	...	Buzz Aldrin
Ralph Bellamy	...	Dr. Ernest Gunther
John Friedrich	...	Roy Slater
Kelly Ward	...	Tom Shuster
Skip Lowell	...	Bruce Shuster
John Megna	...	Smith
Vernee Watson-Johnson	...	Gwen (as Vernee Watson)
Darrell Zwerling	...	Mr. Brister (as Darryl Zwerling)
P.J. Soles	...	Deborah
Timothy Himes	...	Obnoxious Reporter
Victor Brandt	...	TV Installer
Hilda Haynes	...	Nurse Rachel
Jack McLaughlin-Gray	...	Principal (as Jack McLaughlin)
Erna Foxworth	...	Neighbor
Karri Kirsch	...	Gina at 3 years old
Kimberly Kirsch	...	Gina at 3 years old
Seth Wagerman	...	Tod at 3 years old
Anne Ramsey	...	Rachel

Directed by
Randal Kleiser

Writing credits
Joe Morgenstern		(story) (as Joseph Morgenstern) and
Douglas Day Stewart		(story)
Douglas Day Stewart		(teleplay)

Produced by
Cindy Dunne	....	producer
Leonard Goldberg	....	executive producer
Shelley Hull	....	associate producer
Aaron Spelling	....	executive producer
Joel Thurm	....	producer

Original Music by
Mark Snow

Cinematography by
Archie R. Dalzell		(director of photography) (as Arch Dalzell)

Film Editing by
John McSweeney Jr.		(as John F. McSweeney)

Art Direction by
Paul Sylos

Set Decoration by
Jeff Haley

Costume Design by
Joanne Haas
Michael J. Long

Makeup Department
Judith A. Cory	....	hair stylist (as Judy Alexander Cory)
Stanley Smith	....	makeup artist (as Stan Smith)

Production Management
William A. Calihan Jr.	....	production manager (as William Calihan)
Norman Henry	....	executive production manager
Dick Reilly	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mike Moder	....	assistant director

Art Department
Ted Cooper	....	property master
John Hollis	....	construction coordinator

Sound Department
Vic Carpenter	....	sound engineer
Bill Jackson	....	sound editor
Jerry Pirozzi	....	sound editor

Camera and Electrical Department
David Dalzell	....	camera operator
Edmond L. Koons	....	camera operator
Randall Robinson	....	first assistant camera
Joe Valdez	....	second assistant camera
Curtis Foster	....	rigging gaffer (uncredited)
Paul Jacobsen	....	lighting technician (uncredited)

Music Department
Rocky Moriana	....	music supervisor

Transportation Department
Chris Haynes	....	driver

Other crew
Jann Carver	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
• Spelling-Goldberg Productions

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1976) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• 23rd Century (2005) (UK) (DVD)
• Better Television Distribution (2006) (worldwide) (TV)
• M.I.B. (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• Prism Leisure Corporation (2001) (UK) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media)
• Weton Wesgram (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Ford Motor Company  automobiles furnished by
• Research & Engineering Consultants Inc.  technical advice
• Sci-Med Inc.  technical advice

Runtime:

USA:96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:PG | Germany:12 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: Tod Lubitch is assigned a "bubble" roommate" who has also not been outside or in contact with the outside world for years. However, when he jumps on his bed, the soles of Friedrich's bare feet are filthy.

Quotes:

Johnny Lubitch: [to his wife] There were never two people in the world that were more meant to be parents than you and me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Gilmore Girls: A-Tisket, A-Tasket (#2.13)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

What Would They Say

Randall Kleiser's only good film

An absolute classic which everyone remembers seeing but no-one has seen recently. Not strictly a cult film but I'm certain to become one once the hip kids rediscover it. Give it 5 years, it'll be for the 70's what The Graduate is for the 60's.