IMDb > Playing with Fire (1985) (TV)

Playing with Fire (1985) (TV) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
4.7/10   24 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Contact:
View company contact information for Playing with Fire on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 April 1985 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Unintentionally hilarious made-for-TV film starring a not-so-young Gary Coleman as a teenage arsonist... more | add synopsis
User Comments:
Arnold sets fires more (3 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Gary Coleman ... David Phillips

Cicely Tyson ... Carol Phillips
Ron O'Neal ... Steve Phillips
Yaphet Kotto ... Fire Chief Walker
Tammy Lauren ... Pamela Fredericks
Tom Fridley ... Mike Harris
Salome Jens ... Dr. Becker
Richard McKenzie ... Principal Sweeney
Arthur Burghardt ... Harry
Jacque Lynn Colton ... Miss Somerhalter
Rance Howard ... Fireman Goodwin
Ron Jackson ... Fireman Wilson

Cherie Johnson ... Eileen Phillips
Wesley Pfenning ... Mrs. Williams
Brad Savage ... Paul
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
100 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful.
Arnold sets fires, 8 June 2004
5/10
Author: Pat McCurry (acehighpat@aol.com) from Wilton, NH

I was a big fan of Gary Coleman as a kid, but believe it or not, I did not see this film until 1998!!! I wanted to see it as a kid, but my mother told me I couldn't. When I saw it years later, it was a joke. There was nothing to be scared about (sorry, mom, but when you are wrong, you're wrong). It was lightweight fluff.

This was Coleman's attempt at drama and it didn't come off well. He plays a kid who is having a rough time in school and at home. His only way of release is to start setting fires to property. The demonic look on his face is laugh out loud hilarious when he sets something on fire.

Yahphet Kotto plays the fire chief of the town. He calls Coleman's disease "revenge fire" and wants to try and straighten him out. But his parents think there is nothing wrong...until he sets their house on fire!!!

At the end, Coleman makes a little PSA announcement not to play with fire. But the truth is, the film is unintentionally funny. It was just NBC once again milking their cash cow by making a lousy Gary Coleman TV movie (almost all of his NBC movies are rated under a 5 on the IMDB, and his box office films are no better). It is really too bad how he was just thrown away when his fame was all said and done.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (3 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Playing with Fire (1985) (TV)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Paper Boys The Ice Storm Rocket Science Mr. & Mrs. Bridge Life Under Water
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Crime section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.