The Lathe of Heaven (1980) (TV)

Directors:

Fred Barzyk
David R. Loxton

Writers:

Diane English
Ursula K. Le Guin (novel)
(more)

Release Date:

9 January 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot:

George Orr, a man whose dreams can change waking reality, tries to suppress this unpredictable gift with drugs...

Plot Keywords:

Dream | Psychiatrist | Alternative Reality | Interracial Relationship | Utopia Quest

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Bruce Davison	...	George Orr
Peyton E. Park	...	Mannie Ahrens (as Peyton Park)
Niki Flacks	...	Penny Crouch
Kevin Conway	...	Dr. William Haber
Vandi Clark	...	Aunt Ethel
Bernadette Whitehead	...	George's Mother
Jo Livingston	...	George's Father
Jane Roberts	...	Grandmother
Tom Matts	...	Grandfather
Frank Miller	...	Parole Officer
Joye Nash	...	Woman on Subway
Gena Sleete	...	Woman on Subway
Margaret Avery	...	Heather LeLache
Ben McKinley III	...	Orderlie
R.A. Mihailoff	...	Orderlie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James Bodean	...	Guard
John Rainone	...	The Grey Person
Ben Stephenson	...	Scientist

Directed by
Fred Barzyk
David R. Loxton		(as David Loxton)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Diane English
Ursula K. Le Guin		novel
Roger Swaybill		(as Roger E. Swaybill)

Produced by
Fred Barzyk	....	producer
Carol Brandenburg	....	associate producer
David R. Loxton	....	executive producer (as David Loxton)
David R. Loxton	....	producer (as David Loxton)

Original Music by
Michael Small

Cinematography by
Robbie Greenberg

Film Editing by
Dick Bartlett

Casting by
Scott Rudin

Art Direction by
John Wright Stevens

Set Decoration by
Robert J. Franco
John Shaffner

Costume Design by
Laura Crow

Makeup Department
Tonga Knight	....	hair stylist
Jim Nielsen	....	makeup artist (as James Nielsen)

Production Management
Darlene Mastro	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lisa Rich	....	assistant director

Art Department
John T. Boz Jr.	....	art department assistant
Dan Orlandi	....	set dresser
Brian Reynolds	....	art department assistant
Joe Stewart	....	assistant art director
Richard Tautkus	....	alien construction

Sound Department
Lee Dichter	....	sound mixer
John Fundus	....	boom operator
Dennis Maitland	....	sound

Special Effects by
Jack Bennett	....	special effects
Ed Emshwiller	....	special effects
Stoney Emshwiller	....	special effects assistant
Laurie Spiegel	....	audio special effects

Visual Effects by
Edmond S. Alexander	....	special visual effects
Gordon Blocker	....	special visual effects
Tex Frossard	....	augmentor effects
Steve Jander	....	laser effects
George H. Joblove	....	computer displays (as George Joblove)
Douglas S. Kay	....	computer displays (as Douglas Scott Kay)
Charles B. Rubenstein	....	computer animator
Lillian Schwartz	....	Computer Animation
Mary Snyder	....	augmentor effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Jeff E. Blosser	....	gaffer (as Jeff Blosser)
Robert Decker	....	key grip
Chris Hayes	....	assistant camera (as Christopher Hayes)
Tom Leitner	....	camera operator: second unit
Gary McClendon	....	electrician
Derek W. Muirden	....	camera operator: second unit
J. Michael Popovich	....	grip (as Mike Popovich)
Josh Rich	....	grip
Scott M. Robinson	....	best boy (as Scott Robinson)
Michael Sibley	....	camera operator: second unit
Mike Townsend	....	assistant camera
Wynn Winberg	....	still photographer

Casting Department
Taira Rosales	....	casting coordinator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Julianne Dechaine	....	wardrobe supervisor
Columbia Dowell	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Alfredo Portilla	....	assistant editor

Music Department
John O. Adams	....	music producer
Rosemary Fischel	....	music supervisor
Bob Freedman	....	orchestrator (as Robert M. Freedman)
Frank Kulaga	....	music recording mixer
Sam Levitan	....	orchestra coordinator

Other crew
Christena Alcorn	....	production assistant (as Christine Alcorn)
John Anthes	....	title designer
Evelyn Behr	....	production secretary
Anne Fischel	....	film researcher
Helen Gilbert	....	location coordinator
Walter Holland	....	production secretary
Mona D. Kligman	....	production controller (as Mona Kligman)
Chris Kogler	....	title designer
Ursula K. Le Guin	....	creative consultant
Ruby Merjan	....	production aide
Vicki L. Metz	....	production secretary
Henry Paper	....	assistant to producer
Kenn Rabin	....	production aide
Olivia Tappan	....	production associate
Jenny Townsend	....	script supervisor
Victoria Trostle	....	production assistant
Wynn Winberg	....	production assistant

Thanks
Ed Borgan	....	thanks
William C. Dement	....	thanks
Gary Hahn	....	thanks
Matthew H. Herman	....	thanks
Rosemary Ingham	....	thanks
Mike Monroe	....	thanks
Stephen C. Rosen	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Taurus Film
• WNET Channel 13 New York

Distributors

• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1980) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA | West Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Agate Beach, Oregon, USA

Company:

Taurus Film

Trivia:

This was the first Made for TV Movie to be ever shown on PBS.

Quotes:

George Orr:No... *this* is the dream.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Unearthly (#4.20)" (1991)

Very good, but not for everyone.

I found this during late-night channel surfing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The effects were sometimes cheesy but often cool. The direction was creative and quite effective in bringing Ursula K. LeGuin's classic story to life. But BE WARNED: this is a WEIRD MOVIE. You have to be wanting a weird movie in order to really enjoy it. It takes quite a bit of thought to really follow the plot if you haven't read the book, but it's worth watching several times. It is not an action flick (there is very little action, and some people find it boring, possibly with good reason) but it brings up all kinds of interesting ideas and possibilities that sent my mind racing. Every situation is presented in a way that makes you really look at it and ponder it. And the emotional aspect is powerful at times and made me smile more than once. The camerawork, acting, and electronic background music are artistic and place the viewer in another world, one which I personally found beautiful, exciting, and awe-inspiring. If you like artsy, strange, contemplative film, you might want to check this out.