Charlie and the Great Balloon Chase (TV 1981)

Jack Albertson plays Charlie Bartlett, a retired railroad worker whose dream of crossing the country in a hot air balloon is encouraged by his grandson who decides to go along with him for ... See full summary »

Director:

Larry Elikann

Writer:

Art Wallace

Stars:

Jack Albertson, Adrienne Barbeau, John Reilly

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Albertson	...	Charlie Bartlett
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Susan O'Neill
John Reilly	...	Wes Cummings
Slim Pickens	...	Ben Khlover
William Bogert	...	Alfred Lawson
Pat Cooper	...	Uncle Mike
Bert Freed	...	Carlo
Anne Seymour	...	Mrs. Lawson
William Sadler	...	Joey
Moosie Drier	...	Morris O'Neill
Laurence Haddon	...	Sam Spade
Jack Knight	...	Police Sergeant
Morgan Farley	...	Fraiser (as Morgan Farlay)
Robert Lussier	...	Clerk
Stack Pierce	...	Lucas

Storyline

Jack Albertson plays Charlie Bartlett, a retired railroad worker whose dream of crossing the country in a hot air balloon is encouraged by his grandson who decides to go along with him for the ride despite misgivings from the grandson's widowed mother who's plans to remarry have left him disenchanted.

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Plot Keywords:

balloon | hot air balloon | single parent | old man | pursuit | 

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Genres:

Family | Adventure

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 July 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charlie's Balloon

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dan Wilson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in 1978 but not broadcast until 1981.

User Reviews

Thought It Was a Wonka Sequel

I remember this thing airing. Charlie and the Great Balloon Chase.

With Jack Albertson, who had played Grandpa Joe to Charlie Bucket in Willie Wonka.

And clearly I spied the young Moosie Drier and thought he was Peter Ostrum, returning to the character with his old co-star, reuniting the beloved Charlie Bucket and his Grandpa Joe once more.

Yet upon constantly hearing that Peter Ostrum did no other movies than the original (and best) Willie Wonka in '71, I decided to check under Albertson's name and see who was in Charlie and the Balloon Chase.

I stand corrected.

I wonder if Ostrum was wanted, or if it was simply hoped that Drier would pass as an Ostrum wanna-be.

In seven years, I guess Ostrum would have been too old to be the boyish grandson anymore.

Ah well.