Adam (TV movie)
Encyclopedia
Adam is a 1983 American television film which aired on October 10, 1983 on NBC
. On its original air date, it was seen by an audience of 38 million people. It was rebroadcast on April 30, 1984, and again on April 29, 1985. At the end of each broadcast of the film, a series of missing children's photographs and descriptions were displayed on the screen for viewers, and a number was given to call if a viewer had information about them. The 1985 photograph series was introduced by President Ronald Reagan
in a pre-recorded message, "...maybe your eyes can help bring them home."
The first part of the film portrays the story of the kidnapping and murder of Adam Walsh on July 27, 1981, along with the effects of this event on the marriage of John
and Revé Walsh. The second part of the movie focuses on the Walsh's attempts to pass national child protection laws in the wake of Adam's murder, and the formation of awareness groups surrounding child disappearances. The film was written by Allan Leicht and directed by Michael Tuchner
.
. The scenes portrayed at the Hollywood Mall of Hollywood, Florida
were filmed at the now-defunct Westwood Mall
in Houston, and at the Sears which is one of its former anchor stores. As of 2010, the Sears store where scenes in Adam were filmed is still standing and is still a Sears.
, and 19 of 51 children shown in the 1984 broadcast. As of two days after the 1985 showing, 3,522 calls had been made to the hotline, and 3 of 54 featured missing children had already been found.
nominations:
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. On its original air date, it was seen by an audience of 38 million people. It was rebroadcast on April 30, 1984, and again on April 29, 1985. At the end of each broadcast of the film, a series of missing children's photographs and descriptions were displayed on the screen for viewers, and a number was given to call if a viewer had information about them. The 1985 photograph series was introduced by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
in a pre-recorded message, "...maybe your eyes can help bring them home."
The first part of the film portrays the story of the kidnapping and murder of Adam Walsh on July 27, 1981, along with the effects of this event on the marriage of John
John Walsh
John Edward Walsh is an American television personality, criminal investigator, human and victim rights advocate and formerly the host, as well as creator, of America's Most Wanted...
and Revé Walsh. The second part of the movie focuses on the Walsh's attempts to pass national child protection laws in the wake of Adam's murder, and the formation of awareness groups surrounding child disappearances. The film was written by Allan Leicht and directed by Michael Tuchner
Michael Tuchner
Michael Tuchner is a British film and theatre director.He directed the BAFTA TV Award winning television play Bar Mitzvah Boy.-External links:...
.
Shooting
The IMDB indicates that filming of Adam was done in and around Houston, TexasHouston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. The scenes portrayed at the Hollywood Mall of Hollywood, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
-Demographics:As of 2000, there were 59,673 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of...
were filmed at the now-defunct Westwood Mall
Westwood Mall (Houston, Texas)
Westwood Mall was a shopping mall located in the Westwood business development in Houston, Texas.Westwood Mall opened in 1975 with anchors Joske's and Sears, along with over 60 stores. The mall was two stories, featuring a food court...
in Houston, and at the Sears which is one of its former anchor stores. As of 2010, the Sears store where scenes in Adam were filmed is still standing and is still a Sears.
Effects
The three broadcasts of Adam were followed by pictures and descriptions of missing children as of each of the respective broadcasts. A hotline was also active, to take calls regarding the children. This was ultimately credited with finding 13 of 55 children from the 1983 broadcast, including future rapper Bizzy BoneBizzy Bone
Bryon Anthony McCane II , better known by his stage name Bizzy Bone, is an American rapper and a member of the Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.- Solo career :Bizzy Bone started his solo career in 1998...
, and 19 of 51 children shown in the 1984 broadcast. As of two days after the 1985 showing, 3,522 calls had been made to the hotline, and 3 of 54 featured missing children had already been found.
Cast
- Daniel J. TravantiDaniel J. TravantiDanielo Giovanni "Daniel J." Travanti is an American actor best known for his starring role as Captain Frank Furillo in the 1980s television drama Hill Street Blues.-Biography:...
as John WalshJohn WalshJohn Edward Walsh is an American television personality, criminal investigator, human and victim rights advocate and formerly the host, as well as creator, of America's Most Wanted... - JoBeth WilliamsJoBeth WilliamsJoBeth Williams is an American film and television actress and director, and current President of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation.-Early life:...
as Revé Walsh - Martha ScottMartha ScottMartha Ellen Scott was an American actress best known for her roles as mother of the lead character in numerous films and television shows.-Early life:...
as Gram Walsh - Richard MasurRichard MasurRichard Masur is an American actor who has appeared in more than 80 movies during his career. From 1995-1999, he served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild . Masur sits on the Corporate Board of the Motion Picture & Television Fund.-Biography:Masur was born in New York City to a...
as Jay Howell - Paul Regina as Joe Walsh
- Mason AdamsMason AdamsMason Adams was an American character actor and voice-over artist.-Early life:Adams was born in Brooklyn, New York. He earned an MA degree from the University of Michigan in Theatre Arts and Speech and also attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, studying theater arts...
as Ray Mellette - Tony FrankTony FrankTony Frank was an American television actor. He acted in such films and series as Extreme Prejudice, Born on the Fourth of July, North and South, Riverbend and A Climate for Killing....
as Lt. Richard Hynds - John M. Jackson as Det. Jim Gibbons
- Alex Harvey as Det. Jack Hoffman
Awards
1984 Primetime Emmy Award36th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 36th Primetime Emmy Awards were held on September 23, 1984. The ceremony was broadcast on CBS, from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California.-Outstanding Comedy Series:*Cheers **Buffalo Bill ...
nominations:
- Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special (Alan LandsburgAlan LandsburgAlan William Landsburg is an American television writer, producer, and director. He is founder and CEO of the Landsburg Company and has been involved in producing over 50 movies of the week. He has over 2000 hours of television production experience.- Career :Landsburg graduated from New York...
, Joan Barnett, executive producers; Linda Otto, producer) - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special (Daniel J. TravantiDaniel J. TravantiDanielo Giovanni "Daniel J." Travanti is an American actor best known for his starring role as Captain Frank Furillo in the 1980s television drama Hill Street Blues.-Biography:...
) - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special (JoBeth WilliamsJoBeth WilliamsJoBeth Williams is an American film and television actress and director, and current President of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation.-Early life:...
) - Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series or a Special (Allan Leicht)