IMDb >
"Gimme a Break!" (1981)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditsepisode listepisodes castepisode ratings... by rating... by votestv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsrecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips"Gimme a Break!" (1981) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1981-1987
| Photos (see all 2 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Creators:
Release Date:
29 October 1981 (USA)
more
Plot:
Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend...
more
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
Another 12 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Nell Carter Dead at 54
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 24 January 2003)
Actress and Singer Nell Carter Dies at 54
(From WENN. 23 January 2003)
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 24 January 2003)
Actress and Singer Nell Carter Dies at 54
(From WENN. 23 January 2003)
User Comments:
A Stunning tribune to Nell Carter
more (8 total)
Cast
(Series Cast Summary - 9 of 77)| Nell Carter | ... | Nellie Ruth 'Nell' Harper (137 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Lara Jill Miller | ... | Samantha 'Sam' Kanisky (107 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Lauri Hendler | ... | Julie Kanisky / ... (97 episodes, 1981-1986) | |
| Kari Michaelson | ... | Katie Kanisky (96 episodes, 1981-1986) | |
| Dolph Sweet | ... | Chief Carl Kanisky (83 episodes, 1981-1985) | |
| John Hoyt | ... | Grandpa Stanley Kanisky (78 episodes, 1982-1987) | |
| Joseph Lawrence | ... | Joey Donovan (77 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Telma Hopkins | ... | Addy Wilson (68 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Howard Morton | ... | Officer Ralph Simpson (50 episodes, 1981-1986) |
Additional Details
Runtime:
30 min (137 episodes)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Dolph Sweet's final episode aired on 11 May 1985, three days after his death.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: The front door of the set has a brass mail slot, but exterior shots are of a door with no slot.
more
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Night of 100 Stars II (1985) (TV)
more
Soundtrack:
Merry Christmas Stranger
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (8 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Gimme a Break!" (1981) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| "Full House" | Looking for Palladin | Jack the Bear | Corrina, Corrina | "My Three Sons" |
|
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
Related Links
| Episode guide | Full cast and crew | Company credits |
| External reviews | News articles | IMDb TV section |
| IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
You may add a new episode for this TV series by clicking the 'add episode' button







"Gimme A Break" was one of those shows that always had something going for itself and for one this was out of a pick of standard 80's family shows that hit a home run and so much more with the prime essential element of actress Nell Carter,who was also a accomplish Broadway singer/dancer who won a Tony award for her work in "Ain't Misbehavin" in 1978. The show "Gimme A Break" was based on a cop who moved his family from New York to California after his wife Margaret passed away and also became the chief of police in a small fictional California town who in turn had this housekeeper named Nell who was no only in charge of the household,but also was in charge of his three daughters too in which Nell was not only the mother to them,but she had some tough love around that too. For the six seasons that in ran on NBC-TV(1981-1987) in the eighties,this was one of those shows that was constantly in the top ten ratings during its run on the Peacock network. Though the sitcom was hardly groundbreaking for its time,the series earned Nell Carter two Emmy nominations for her work and in turn gave her an opportunity to sing and dance in some of the episodes occasionally.
The show itself was a launching pad for three young performers who would go on to be stars: Joey Lawrence,Matthew Lawrence(both of whom landed key roles on other TV sitcom series and also have recording careers),along with actress Telma Hopkins(of Tony Orlando and Dawn,and later on with Family Matters,and Half and Half),and in its final season Rosie O'Donnell(before she would break out in daytime television). The series was produced by Alan Landsburg(who was also crank out other sitcoms like Kate & Allie,and In Search Of with Leonard Nimoy). However,when the show went off the air in 1987,she returned to do several other series and also was a spokeswoman for Liberty Medical Insurance Company(who in turn spoke out about the effects of diabetes since she was a diabetic herself). However,Nell Carter is no longer with us(she passed away on January 23,2002 at the age of 54)but her presence with that series will always remained in our hearts since she was a entertainment legend. She will be truly missed.