If You Could See What I Hear (1982)

A light comedy/love story based on the life of blind musician Tom Sullivan.

Director:

Eric Till

Writers:

Stuart Gillard (screenplay written by), Tom Sullivan (novel)

Stars:

Marc Singer, R.H. Thomson, Sarah Torgov

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marc Singer	...	Tom Sullivan
R.H. Thomson	...	Will Sly
Sarah Torgov	...	Patti Steffen
Shari Belafonte	...	Heather Johnson (as Shari Belafonte Harper)
Douglas Campbell	...	Porky Sullivan
Helen Burns	...	Mrs. Ruxton
Harvey Atkin	...	Bert
Barbara Gordon	...	Molly
Sharon Lewis	...	Helga
Lynda Mason Green	...	Sharon
Tony Van Bridge	...	Dr. Roger Wells
Jack Creley	...	Dean Franklin
David Gardner	...	Jack Steffen
Gary Reineke	...	Phil Lucas
Bob Warner	...	Sergeant

Storyline

Tom Sullivan is in many ways a typical student attending a Boston area college, he, showing his immaturity, partaking in, often leading, mainly harmless student hijinks with his pipe smoking friend, Will Sly. He funnels many of his energies into his music as a singer/pianist. Tom also happens to be blind, which he's been since a newborn due to being provided too much oxygen while in an incubator. Tom is independently minded, and wants to be treated just like any sighted person. Like most men his age, he is also in the pursuit of the opposite sex, in the process of which he finds that he falls in love easily. Through all these activities, Tom is affected by real life including the temporariness of college life, some not being able to get over their own prejudices of being sighted in their dealings with him, and coming to the realization that there are some things more difficult to do in life when one is blind.

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Plot Keywords:

piano player | blindness | massachusetts | disability | overcoming adversity | 

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Taglines:

The true story of a born winner!

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Au-delà du regard

Filming Locations:

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 5,600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,408,000, 25 April 1982, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$8,693,512

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cypress Grove, Shelter Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Sullivan is heard to yell the identical recorded line "Hello? Can anybody hear me?" twice: once during the skydiving scene, and once during the swimming pool scene.

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Goofs

During the skydiving incident, Tom's friend takes off in a jeep on natural ground, but we hear the tires squeal as though he's on pavement.

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Quotes

Policeman: [incredulously] Your friend is blind?
Will Sly: More or less, yeah.
Policeman: Then why the hell is he driving?
Will Sly: 'Cause he's the only one who's sober!
[Tom does a backflip over the car]
Will Sly: See?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Stinkers of 1982 (1983)

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Soundtracks

Something Else Again
Written by Chris De Burgh

User Reviews

Wish I could see it again

I always loved watching this movie. It always made me feel good, gave me hope and made me laugh. It is one of my all time favorite movies and would watch it over and aver again. Great acting by all characters. Now - I was looking to buy it and can't find it. Very sad. I am now the mother of a blind child and would love to watch it!!!! Sometimes I need to feel a little hope and would love to watch it. I would also love for my other children and my sons friends to see it. I is a timeless movie. I can't believe that I cant find it for sale and the video stores don't even rent it. If anyone knows when it will be on or if it is for sale anywhere please leave a note. Thanks