''Thursday's Child'' is a 1983 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

starring

Rob Lowe Robert Hepler Lowe (born March 17, 1964) is an American actor, filmmaker, and podcast host. He made his acting debut at the age of 15 with ABC's short-lived sitcom ''A New Kind of Family'' (1979–1980). Following numerous television roles in ...

Gena Rowlands Virginia Cathryn "Gena" Rowlands (born June 19, 1930) is an American retired actress, whose career in film, stage, and television has spanned seven decades. A four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner, she is known for her collaborations ...

and Don Murray, directed by

David Lowell Rich David Lowell Rich (August 31, 1920 – October 21, 2001) was an American film director and producer. He directed nearly 100 films and TV episodes between 1950 and 1987. He was born in New York City. He began directing on a regular basis in 1 ...

and based on the book by Victoria Poole.

Plot

Sam Alden is the 17-year-old high school star player in football who seems to have it all. However, his family notices that he is often bothered with fits of coughing. Worried, his parents decide to take him to the hospital, where they are shocked to find out that he has a life-threatening heart disease. Sam has trouble dealing with his illness, but he pretends to still be a joyful teenager to not have his parents worrying even more than they already do. His health is deteriorating, though, and it is eventually revealed that he needs a

heart transplant A heart transplant, or a cardiac transplant, is a surgical transplant procedure performed on patients with end-stage heart failure or severe coronary artery disease when other medical or surgical treatments have failed. , the most common proce ...

if he wants to survive. This is the beginning of a long journey, which is mentally and physically exhausting. Sam has countless operations, and tests. The search for a donor seems endless to him. Even before the final operation, Sam is forced to deal with several setbacks in his life.

Cast

as Sam Alden *

as Victoria Alden * Don Murray as Parker Alden *

Jessica Walter Jessica Walter (January 31, 1941 – March 24, 2021) was an American actress who appeared in over 170 film, stage and television productions. In film, she was best known for her role as a psychotic and obsessed fan of a local disc jockey in t ...

as Roz Richardson *

Tracey Gold Tracey Gold (born May 16, 1969) is an American actress and former child star known for playing Carol Seaver on the 1980s sitcom ''Growing Pains''. Acting career Tracey Gold became an actress at the age of four, first appearing in a Pepsi print ...

as Alix * Glenn Morrissey as Pokie * Ken Stovitz as Charlie * Heidi Bohay as Ruthie *

Elizabeth Keifer Elizabeth Keifer (born November 14, 1961) is an American actress. Keifer was born in Pacific Palisades, California. She played the role of Christina "Blake" Marler on '' Guiding Light'' from August 1992 until the program ended in September 2009 ...

as Tina *

Larry Poindexter Larry Poindexter (born December 16, 1959) is an American actor and singer. Early life Poindexter was born in Dallas, Texas on December 16, 1959. Career He may be best-known for his role in 2003's ''S.W.A.T.'', in which he played by-the-book LA ...

as Malcolm * Robin Gammell as Dr. Schroeder *

Alan Fudge Alan Fudge (February 27, 1944 – October 10, 2011) was an American actor known for his roles in four television programs, ''Man from Atlantis'', ''Eischied'', ''Paper Dolls'' and ''Bodies of Evidence'', along with a recurring role on '' 7th Hea ...

as Dr. Baumbartner * Thomas Hill as Dr. Owens * Stephen Keep as Dr. Reston * Curt Lowens as Dr. Wakely

Release

For

, this film meant his official introduction to the screen. The film was shot in 1982 and slated to premier in December 1982. However, it was postponed two times (because of the death of Sam Poole, the real "Sam Alden", around Christmas, 1982) and it eventually premiered in February 1983.Synopsis
Variety The film was generally well received and was nominated for two

Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...

s. Lowe was nominated in the category Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV and

in the category Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0086435, Thursday's Child 1983 television films 1983 films 1980s teen drama films American teen drama films CBS network films Films about diseases and disorders American films based on actual events Films based on American novels Films directed by David Lowell Rich Films scored by Lee Holdridge Hallmark Hall of Fame episodes 1983 drama films 1980s American films