Bill (1981) (TV)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Anthony Page

Writers:

Barry Morrow (story)
Corey Blechman (teleplay)

Release Date:

22 December 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

A heartwarming true story.

Plot:

Bill a retarded man ventures out into the world for the first time. Having spent most of his life in a dreary inner city Institution...

Plot Keywords:

Iowa | Mental Retardation | Based On True Story | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Mickey Rooney	...	Bill Sackter
Dennis Quaid	...	Barry Morrow
Largo Woodruff	...	Bev Morrow
Anna Maria Horsford	...	Ms. Marge Keating, County welfare worker
Harry Goz	...	Dr. Tom Walz
Kathleen Maguire	...	Mrs. Florence Archer, Preschool teacher
William J. Daprato	...	Ray, Granville Patient
Raymond Serra	...	Harry, Bill's boss at country club (as Ray Serra)
Jenny Rebecca Dweir	...	Amy Hill, Little girl befriended by Bill at Preschool (as Jenny Dweir)
Breon Gorman	...	Children's Teacher
George Hamlin	...	Mr. Robert Morrow
Katharine Balfour	...	Mrs. Morrow (as Katherine Balfour)
Cordis Heard	...	Arlene
Harriet Rogers	...	Mae, Bill's Landlady
Lotte Palfi Andor	...	Ida Miller (as Lotta Palfi-Andor)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Alan Landsburg Productions

Movie Connections:

Followed by Bill: On His Own (1983) (TV)

Fantastic TV Movie

I just saw this movie again after many years. I always remembered seeing it on TV and it left me with such a lasting impression. It had been so many years, that when I just watched it I cried all over again like it was the first time I had ever seen it. I have been watching some of the Andy Hardy films lately, and I think that Mickey Rooney was an under-appreciated actor. I know that there are some negative things on the 'Message Boards', but all I can say is my one meeting with him was very positive- My son's class went to see him in the production of the 'Wizard of Oz' at Madison Square Garden where he played the Wizard. He was gracious to everyone, especially the children. For me it was a dream come true. If you are a fan of Mickey Rooney and have never seen this film, please do... you will love it. The sequel, 'Bill on his Own' is also a wonderful film. I would recommend you seeing both to complete the experience of seeing Mickey in his Emmy Award winning role!