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.

A Family Upside Down

Plot

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.

A Family Upside Down

Cast

Helen Hayes as Emma Long

Fred Astaire as Ted Long

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Mike Long

Pat Crowley as Carol Long

Patty Duke as Wendy

Brad Rearden as Scott Long

Ford Rainey as Mr. Case

Kim Hamilton as Paula

Phillip R. Allen as Dr. Russo

Carl Held as Al

Lanna Saunders as Mrs. Lovell

Belinda Palmer as Rhonda

Miiko Taka as Mrs. Taka

David Haskell as House Painter

R. Norwood Smith as Wes Allen

Charles Walker as Aide

Gary Swanson as Instructor

Gail Landry as Candy Striper

Matthew Tobin as Dr. Chisholm

Nolan Leary as Mr. Willy

Ernestine Barrier as Mrs. Willy

Awards and nominations

References

External links

A Family Upside Down at Library of Congress

A Family Upside Down at Internet Archive

1978 films

1978 drama films

1978 television films

American drama television films

Films about families

Films about old age

Films directed by David Lowell Rich

Films produced by Ross Hunter

Films scored by Henry Mancini

Columbia Pictures films

NBC network original films

1970s English-language films

1970s American films

A Family Upside Down