My Name Is Bill W. (1989)

The story of Bill Wilson and the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writer:

William G. Borchert

Stars:

James Woods, JoBeth Williams, James Garner

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Woods	...	Bill Wilson
JoBeth Williams	...	Lois 'Lo' Wilson
James Garner	...	Dr. Bob
Gary Sinise	...	Ebby
George Coe	...	Frank Shaw
Robert Harper	...	Dr. Jeremy Partlin
Ray Reinhardt	...	Dr. Silkworth
Fritz Weaver	...	Dr. Burnham
Rick Warner	...	Bill D.
Joe Inscoe	...	Fred
Susan Duchow	...	Adele
Rich Valliere	...	Charley
Mark Joy	...	Guy Kolb
William Aylward	...	Controller (as Bill Aylward)
Richard Travis	...	Stockquoter

Storyline

This film reconstructs the true story of stockbroker William Griffith Wilson, a World War I veteran whose small drinking problem becomes a serious addiction after he loses his fortune in the stock market collapse of 1929. Wilson's career and his domestic life are in tatters when he meets Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith also struggling with a drinking problem. The two form a support group that becomes the basis for the organization Alcoholics Anonymous.

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Plot Keywords:

alcoholic | alcoholism | alcoholics anonymous | support group | alcohol | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

A TV movie made for the ABC network.

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Goofs

1935 Mayflower Hotel scene has Gershwin's "Love is Here to Stay" playing in background while this song was released in 1938.

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Quotes

Lois 'Lo' Wilson: How are you feeling?
Bill Wilson: Alright, I guess.
Lois 'Lo' Wilson: Can I ask you something? I guess I've been afraid... does it have anything to do with me? Your drinking?
Bill Wilson: No. It's not you. It's me.
Lois 'Lo' Wilson: Why? Why do you do it to yourself?
Bill Wilson: I've been standing here all afternoon asking myself the same question. Why? I look out the window and I watch all the normal people walking by. It's funny, I don't think I've ever felt really normal all my life... I mean like other people. I feel different, somehow. Like I don't quite measure up. ...

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Connections

Referenced in Californication: At the Movies (2012)

User Reviews

excellent

Not much to add to the hugely favorable consensus here about this made-for-tv-movie, so I will just echo what has been said. Good story about a vitally important organization, the man that founded it and how he did so. Good acting all around, good writing, and good direction.

Well worth seeing, not just as a docudrama, but as a well-crafted piece of cinema.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 April 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: My Name Is Bill W. (#38.3)

Filming Locations:

Richmond, Virginia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Garner-Duchow Productions, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1