"Breaking Away" (1980)TV series 1980-1981

Directors:

Jeff Bleckner
Kim Friedman

Writer:

Glenn Gordon Caron (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

29 November 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

This failed TV series was a direct spinoff of the very successful movie (Barrie, Haley and Ashton continued their roles)...

Plot Keywords:

Spin Off | Sitcom

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Barbara Barrie	...	Evelyn Stoller / ... (3 episodes, 1980)
Steve Doubet	...	Steve (3 episodes, 1980)
Dominique Dunne	...	Paulina Bornstein (2 episodes, 1980-1981)
Shelby Brammer	...	Nancy (2 episodes, 1980)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Athens, Georgia, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Movie Connections:

Follows Breaking Away (1979)

a very underrated show

I was glad when TV Guide recently mentioned this show in passing as vastly underrated. I remember that back then it surprised me. I loved the movie and was well aware how TV series adapted movies into pablum. And Shaun Cassidy? You must be joking!

But he was absolutely terrific in the role. The others in the cast were also top-notch. Not only the premise but the earnestness and atmosphere of the movie was uncompromised during the course of the series. It was heart-warming, funny, and inspiring. (The only actor I didn't like was Jack Earl Haley, but I didn't like him in the movie, either -- or anywhere else, if I must tell the truth.) Barbara Barrie was (as usual) so wonderful, never enough air time for her, and Vincent Gardenia was an astonishingly great match to fill Paul Dooley's shoes!

When will this come out on DVD? I'd love to see it again! Magnifico!