It wasn't often that you saw a movie where the rebellious types were a bunch of senior citizens - considering society's attitude about old people. This was a fun movie to watch with a bit of tragedy thrown in. It surprises me that John Carpenter, of all people, was one of the writers! One doesn't think of him as doing light-hearted fare. In any case, they don't show this one too often, if at all, on TV anymore, and it was done in the early 80's! Larry Storch is funny in the role of the exasperated sheriff who always seems to be caught in the middle between Mrs. Davis (Tyne Daly) and her crusty charges at the nursing home. I only saw this once, and it just seemed to have disappeared.
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riverheadestelle20 September 2005
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ronflaviano7 December 2005Very fun movie featuring a cast of cantankerous elderly folks that want to escape from their nursing home. Would love to see this on DVD. I believe it aired on NBC during the 80s. I have only seen it a few times, but recall that it was quite entertaining. Tyne Daly was very good as the care-giver trying to foil the escape. With all of the made-for-TV fare being dumped into the dollar bins at discount stores, I am surprised not to see this one! It's nice to see these actors and actresses in such a vehicle, and to see Tyne Daly in here pre-Cagney and Lacy days. This film contains humor, suspense, and tragedy. Overall, a nice film that you can watch with your children and grandchildren that isn't completely annoying...!
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It was a sweet little movie. They assembled a good cast, and I'm sure those veteran character actors must have had a great time working with one another, and the story, both.
The film included a short poem that one of the characters read after one of their group passed away when they were on the run. I think Harold Gould's character recited it and they were in the mountains on a train at the time? Anyway, my mother commented at the time that she really liked that poem and would love to have it read at her own funeral one day. If anyone ever manages to get a copy of this movie, could they please post the words to that poem? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. -
richard.fuller122 March 2009This movie came on one weekend and I missed the title.
Thankfully, it was full of familiar faces, among them Harold Gould, Tyne Daly, Victor Buono, Jeanette Nolan, George Gobel, to name a few.
It was basically old folks breaking out of a home because Tyne Daly ran the place like she didn't want the residents to think for themselves.
Gould was the ringleader of the breakout gang. Their plan was to go to a remote village somebody knew about, rather obscure, and just live out their lives there.
Unfortunately, once they got there, they found the place a virtual ghost town.
Amusing in its unpredictability. I like when characters say one thing, then end up having to do another.
Meg Wyllie was Daly's right-hand woman who would try to cajole the other guests into doing what Daly wanted.
When the time came to depart, Wyllie found herself dragged along for the adventure.
Victor Buono was initially opposed to the venture, but at the last minute, decided he could listen to Daly no longer.
Daly and Gould were, to paraphrase his last name, pure gold.
Daly would constantly threaten the residents, such as Gould, to send them to a more destitute retirement community and held this over their heads to make them behave.
Gould, finally deciding he had had enough at the end, told Daly he would gladly go to this intimidating retirement center just to get away from her.
Too hilarious.
It's been well over a quarter of a century since I've seen this gem, but I can still remember so much of it even now.
Gobel's last-minute appearance at the end clearly hinted that someone anticipated a spin off TV series, which alas, didn't take place.
But this one stands just fine on its own. -
danask97 September 2011is titled, "Do not stand at my grave and weep" written by Mary Elizabeth Frye in 1932. I do not recall seeing this television movie however came across a newspaper "Q & A" clipping sent by a reader which referenced this movie and requested copy of the poem. The clipping printed the poem and noted the author as unknown and stated the writer of the TV movie heard it at a Hollywood funeral and incorporated it into the TV drama. In my experience many recall parts of the poem however the poet remains relatively obscure. I believe it may have been her most renowned work of poetry and has obviously inspired and comforted so many.
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This little TV movie reminded me another one starring Kirk Douglas called AMOS, with the very similar scheme. Elders in a nursing or retirement home and the way they are treated...It is unfortunately far beyond the awful truth. The reality, in many of those "resorts" is often more outrageous than we see here. This remains rather lighthearted and less dramatic and heartbreaking than AMOS. And it seems that John Carpenter was involved in this...That's surprising. Good time waster anyway.