Family 

The joys and heartaches of the Lawrence family of Pasadena, California.

Creator:

Jay Presson Allen

Stars:

Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank

Nominated for 7 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Sada Thompson	...	Kate Lawrence 86 episodes, 1976-1980
James Broderick	...	Doug Lawrence 86 episodes, 1976-1980
Gary Frank	...	Willie Lawrence 86 episodes, 1976-1980
Kristy McNichol	...	Letitia 'Buddy' Lawrence 86 episodes, 1976-1980
Meredith Baxter	...	Nancy Lawrence Maitland 60 episodes, 1976-1980
Quinn Cummings	...	Annie Cooper / ... 36 episodes, 1978-1980

Storyline

The trials and tribulations, joyous occasions and heartbreaking moments of the Lawrence family: lawyer father Doug, housewife Kate, married (and quickly divorced) daughter Nancy, teenage son Willie and just-hitting-puberty daughter Buddy. In this critically acclaimed series, we watched various Lawrences fight, fall in love, become ill, graduate school, begin new jobs and, most of all, love each other.

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Plot Keywords:

pasadena california | california | overalls | suburb | sister sister relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 March 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eine amerikanische Familie

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Icarus Productions, Spelling-Goldberg Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (86 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1988 a reunion movie was planned, and the cast, with the exception of the late James Broderick, agreed to reunite for the project. Unfortunately, the writer's strike would have the project be placed on hold, and then later dropped from production.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits lists the following title card: "A Mike Nichols Production" Nichols is not listed as an Executive Producer of the show. However, his production company, Icarus Productions, is listed in the show's end credits.

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Connections

Referenced in All-Star Family Feud Special: Special #3: Love Boat vs. Eight Is Enough; Family vs. What's Happening (1979)

User Reviews

One of the finest TV dramas.

"Family" was consistently entertaining and insightful television, in the wasteland that was late 70's television programming.

It dealt with sensitive issues in a thoughtful manner without proselytizing or being maudlin.

I had the good fortune of beginning my television career by being a fan of "Family." A new resident of the neighborhood, I hung-out during the filming of exterior shots at the location of the "Lawrence" home in South Pasadena, during "Family's" final season. That same summer, in 1979, I went to work for the production company, Spelling-Goldberg Productions. Watching "Family" shoot was magic.

The series hearkened-back to an era even earlier than the late 70's...it kind of had a sixties feel to it, an earlier, simpler, and kinder period among American families. However, unlike the family dramas that filmed during the sixties, "Family" was far more realistic and believable.

Clearly, the break-out star of "Family" was young Kristy McNichol who stole nearly every scene she was in.

"Family" is long overdue to be offered in a DVD collection, and I hope all four seasons will soon be available in a video collection.

Thanks for the memories.

Gary L. Myers