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A Family Upside Down

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A Family Upside Down
Written byGerald Di Pego
Directed byDavid Lowell Rich
Starring
ComposerHenry Mancini
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Producers
CinematographyJoseph Biroc
EditorRichard Bracken
Running time98 minutes
Production companyRoss Hunter Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseApril 9, 1978 (1978-04-09)

A Family Upside Down is a 1978 American drama television film directed by David Lowell Rich and written by Gerald Di Pego. It stars Helen Hayes and Fred Astaire as an elderly married couple, with Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Pat Crowley, and Patty Duke in supporting roles.

The film was praised for the performances of the cast, earning Astaire a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special. It also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Film.

Plot

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Ted Long (Fred Astaire) is a retiree who suffers a debilitating heart attack that leaves him incapable of caring for himself. Unable to rely on his wife Emma (Helen Hayes), herself suffering from deteriorating health, Ted grows increasingly dependent on his adult children for his basic needs. Familial bonds are tested when Ted and Emma decide to move in with their son Mike (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and daughter-in-law Carol (Pat Crowley) rather than face the prospect of living in a retirement home.

Cast

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
1978
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special Fred Astaire Won [1]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama or Comedy Special Helen Hayes Nominated
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Special Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Nominated
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Special Patty Duke Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography in Entertainment Programming for a Special Joseph Biroc Nominated
1979
Golden Globe Awards Best Television Movie A Family Upside Down Won [2]

References

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  1. ^ "A Family Upside Down". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  2. ^ "A Family Upside Down – Golden Globes". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
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