The Death of Richie (TV 1977)A sensitive but confused teenager feels pressure on him from all directions and turns to drugs, which causes problems for him in school and at home. Director:Paul Wendkos |
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The Death of Richie (TV 1977)A sensitive but confused teenager feels pressure on him from all directions and turns to drugs, which causes problems for him in school and at home. Director:Paul Wendkos |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Ben Gazzara | ... |
George Werner
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| Eileen Brennan | ... |
Carol Werner
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| Robby Benson | ... |
Richie Werner
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| Lance Kerwin | ... |
Russell Werner
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Shirley O'Hara | ... |
Mrs. Norlon
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| Jennifer Rhodes | ... |
Elaine
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John Zaremba | ... |
Mr. Norlon
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Jesse Emmett | ... |
Eddie
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| Charles Fleischer | ... |
Brick
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| Clint Howard | ... |
Peanuts
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Harry Gold | ... |
Mark
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Cindy Eilbacher | ... |
Sheila
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Susan Pratt | ... |
Janie
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Sean Roche | ... |
Pat
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John Friedrich | ... |
Kurt
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A sensitive but confused teenager feels pressure on him from all directions and turns to drugs, which causes problems for him in school and at home.
I haven't seen this movie since it was on TV and I was a teenager, so that has to be considered in reading my opinion. In brief, the movie follows the trajectory of a bright, handsome teenager, played by teen hearthrob of the time Robbie Benson and his hopeless descent into drug use. He tries to reform but the drug addiction is a powerful enemy indeed. This movie was made in the seventies, and as such, is probably dated, but I do think it had an effect on me, and was a part in building up an impression that heroin, in particular, was a road I didn't want to go down. If I remember correctly, this is mostly a movie about why you don't want to become a junkie, and the frustration of parents in watching their children turn into addicts. Not a happy film, but an excellent cautionary tale. Should be remade in today's context, including meth as a topic.