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Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986) 6.4
The misadventures of a rich Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American maid. |
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Title: Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986)
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Cast
| Complete series cast summary: | |||
| Conrad Bain | ... |
Philip Drummond
(180 episodes, 1978-1986)
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| Gary Coleman | ... |
Arnold Jackson
(175 episodes, 1978-1986)
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| Todd Bridges | ... |
Willis Jackson
(160 episodes, 1978-1986)
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| Dana Plato | ... |
Kimberly Drummond
(133 episodes, 1978-1986)
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Phillip Drummond, a widowed Manhattan millionaire and president of the mega-firm Trans Allied Inc., adopts two orphaned black brothers from Harlem 8-year-old Arnold and 12-year-old Willis. Drummond had made a promise to their dying mother, his housekeeper that he would care for the boys after she passes on; their father had died years earlier. The boys, whom Drummond always introduced as his two sons, went from rags to riches literally overnight. At first, Willis was a bit skeptical of their new-found wealth, but eventually, both he and Arnold felt right at home in their new-found surroundings. Also part of the family were Drummond's beautiful daughter, 13-year-old Kimberly; and his current housekeeper, Edna Garrett. As the years passed, Mrs. Garrett left to become house-mother at the Eastland School for Girls; she was replaced by the cantankerous Adelaide Brubaker and still later, charming Pearl Gallagher. Arnold's friends, Dudley and Robbie (and later, Charlie); Willis' girlfriend, ... Written by Brian Rathjen <briguy_52732@yahoo.com>
Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
3 November 1978 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
45 Minutes from Harlem See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
Embassy Pictures Corporation, Embassy Television, Norman Lear/Tandem Productions See more »
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (189 episodes)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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Willis Jackson: Oh no...
[pause]
Willis Jackson: [crying] Oh no...
[Willis hangs up the phone and cries]
Willis Jackson: Look at me. Crying just like a kid.
Philip Drummond: No. Crying just like a man.
See more »
(Theme Song)
Written by Alan Thicke, Al Burton and Gloria Loring
Performed by Alan Thicke
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The name of Arnold's pet goldfish was Abraham. See more »Quotes
[Willis has just learned his close friend has died in an auto accident]Willis Jackson: Oh no...
[pause]
Willis Jackson: [crying] Oh no...
[Willis hangs up the phone and cries]
Willis Jackson: Look at me. Crying just like a kid.
Philip Drummond: No. Crying just like a man.
See more »
Soundtracks
"Diff'rent Strokes"(Theme Song)
Written by Alan Thicke, Al Burton and Gloria Loring
Performed by Alan Thicke
See more »
Who would think that the main characters from a naive, tender, family show would end up meeting such fatal fates? Well, that's another story.
"Diff'rent Strokes" is an important sticom in American pop culture and also paved the way for comedy shows with a social message inserted.
Here, the inter racial situations mixed with poverty and social clichés were the spinal cord for the plot and even in jokes. Everything was extremely well done and executed with class. Nothing was vulgar or tried directly to impose a criteria; the situations were just put for the audience to judge it whatsoever they wanted.
The jokes were sometimes naive but always witty. The humor was family oriented but after nearly 30 years, none of them is boring. Sure, society has changed a lot but some things just can't disappear.
The acting is top notch. Gary Coleman is now some sort of cult hero for displaying a physical illness and being part of a social minority but his comedic skills and histrionic abilities make him one of the most likable child stars ever. Conrad Bain was excellent as the protective, tender but strong man that took care about his house. Dana Plato was extremely sexy, hot; she's the kind of girl I wanted to marry.
Anyways, watch this sitcom in order to witness part of America's pop culture talking about television. This show will teach you many things and as a plus, it will make you chuckle most of the time.