I haven't seen this movie since 1981 or so, but somewhere I still have a rotting video tape of it's first airing. I remember it to be very good, and Suzy Gilstrap as the wheelchair bound dreamer inspirational (and she was very cute). Bette Davis gave a very fiesty performance, and maybe it was a little over the top, but she was still very strong and at the top of her game before she had her stroke a few years later. This was also, it seems, Ron Howard's first "serious" movie (the others seem to have been low budget noisy films, love that Grand Theft Auto) and it kinda shows the themes of some of Howard's future projects--people overcoming obstacles to obtain a dream or just to survive.
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Flickers-44 January 2003
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mark.waltz4 October 2018When a veteran actor puts their faith in a young director, magic can happen when the material is right and when that young director has the same integrity for great filmmaking as the veteran actor. Such was the case for Joan Crawford in the "Night Gallery" episode directed by Steven Spielberg, and even more so is the case for Bette Davis in this TV movie directed by little Opie Taylor/Richie Cunningham, Ron Howard. The subject matter is one that many people can identify with: succeeding in spite of seemingly hopeless odds and following one's dreams in spite of the obstacles people try to put in their way. For Bette Davis, her role here is supporting, but she shines as she works amongst a young cast which includes the understated Suzy Barbieri in the leading role of a crippled young lady who finds her own dreams coming true when she is given the ability to learn how to fly planes. Parents Marion Ross and Clu Gulager have no idea of what she is up to, and barbie doll beauty older sister Lisa Whelchel ("The Facts of Life's" spoiled Blair) seems to have it all, basically putting Barbieri in the shadow both in school and at home.
To make it clear, Barbieri's character is not a saint. She's far too shy for her own good, a trait instigated by her presence in a wheelchair, insecure over what the kids at her new school think of her, even though she quickly befriends the handsome football jock Ben Marley. An attempted date with Marley going to see the movies results in Barbieri wheeling herself out in anger over theater policies, embarrassed by having to be carried in, and later on, after flight instructor Davis disciplines her for a mistake during a lesson, she does indeed, as Davis tells her, act like a child. But her desire to fly soon overcomes her stubbornness, and the apology scene is quite touching. "WKRP in Cincinatti's" Howard Hessman has a good role as a plane mechanic who becomes Barbieri's confidante, having several amusing scenes with Davis who also runs the small airport runway's greasy spoon diner. Barbieri almost loses the trust of Davis when she lies about getting the examination she would need to get a student license, something which could have major legal ramifications for Davis, but Davis's character has an amazing ability to forgive and understand. Once again, Davis lights up the screen with a single smile, with the years falling off of her as she glows in the final scene.
The details surrounding the family and Barbieri's friendship with Marley are very well drawn out as well, with father Gallagher obviously unsure of how to deal with his daughter's situation and thus leaving everything in the hands of mom Ross. This isn't Marion Ross's mother from "Happy Days" here; She's a more modern mother, more concerned with guiding her children in the right directions than just seeing them diving into her home made apple pie. She gets to show more frustration in being the busy stay at home mom than Marion Cunningham did, which is a nice twist for TV son Ron Howard to have added for her character. It's obvious that Whelchel's character is a bit more down to earth than the snooty Blair, sharing her wardrobe with her sister she refuses to treat as a cripple and longs to help bring out of her shell. However, the real praise has to go to Marley who adds so much insight into his character that makes him more than just another stupid high school jock. Several key scenes show his soul and hurts very deeply, as well as his very human issues with Barbieri succeeding in her dreams in spite of her physical obstacles while he is bumped from the football team for being a weak player in spite of his desires to be the star player. It's the little details like that which makes this TV movie stand up high and tall, showing that there is no dream too big for anybody to try to succeed when they have the drive and the heart. -
bkoganbing13 September 2020One of Ron Howard's early directorial efforts was this small screen film Skyward where he was lcky enough to get the services of Bette Davis. First billed because of her legend Davis is in support of young Suzy Gilstrap a paraplegic girl who wants to learn to fly.
I know someone who is a leg amputee and to drve has special brakes and speed controls in cars to drive. None other than Franklin D. Roosevelt had similar alterations to automobils of the day so he could drive. If one could drive than learning to pilot a small aircraft should be no problem with the same equipment.
But parents Clu Gulager and Marion Ross treat Gilstrap like a hothouse plant though she has support from sister Lisa Whelchel.
Davis was at one time an aviatrix in the spirit of Amelia Earhart and Jacqeline Cochran. Now she runs a greasy spoon place at the local airport though she's known far and wide for her chili. She and mechanic Howard Hesseman give Gilstrap lessons and have faith in her,
Gilstrap even lands a boyfriend in football playing jock Ben Marley. In Texas that's considered catch of the year.
Skyward is a nice inspiring film with the featured attraction of the legendary Bette Davis. -
sbsing128 January 2004I finally found the site hooray!!!!!!!!!! I write cause I love this movie. They did it in my home town of mckinney and at my high school. I was a extra in the movie and it was so fun. I remember the night it came on tv. I also remember getting to meet ron and anson and they are really fantastic people They actully sat down at the cater lunch with us all and were so nice. If Ron ever reads this please know you are one fantastic person who is a normal human being and you changed my life because your movie gave me so much self esteem about my self.Thankyou. If you would like to know what went on the movie set give me a holler I would love to reminisse about that. Thanks for reading..... Sherrie
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Ron-2235 March 2009I remember watching this many years ago. I remember that it was very uplifting to see someone reach literally higher from their confines.
I remember this as a "made for TV" movie of the time. As my father was a pilot who was rebuilding old planes in our garage, it brought home something extra.
While watching the video, I was immediately hooked into the drama of a wheelchair bound girl wanting to learn to fly.
Added to that was the performance of Bettie Davis along with Suzy Gilstrap as the girl.
The icing on the cake was the Christian Eagle plane depicted in the movie. IMHO, there could have not been a better all around showing. -
JLRMovieReviews18 July 2016A young girl bound in a wheelchair has dreams of flying. With her daily feelings of depression, helplessness, and loneliness, she longs to break free from her doldrums and dare to do what others tell her she can't. She recently moved to a new neighborhood with her father and mother (played by Happy Days' Marion Ross) and sister (played by The Facts of Life's Lisa Whelchel.) Feeling out of place and not wanting to be in a class with other people in her situation, she drifts over to a local airport, where Howard Hesseman (WKRP in Cincinnati) is a plane mechanic. With his encouragement and the little extra nudge, she immerses herself into the wonderland above her. Her flying instructor is none other than Bette Davis, who is one tough cookie. But, she knows that her parents would be dead set against all this. Also, a "babe," as she describes him, befriends her, and their relationship is very sweet. He could have any girl in the school. But he really wanted to be with her. The film's authenticity and love of the subject matter and its characters come through to the viewer. This feel-good TV movie was directed by Ron Howard and is a very special film, and one of the few that will stay with you long afterwards.
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kiowa0027 May 2016I was living in Rockwall TX. when that movie was being filmed. I noticed sailplanes over head and was told about a Ron Howard filming a new movie. It rekindled my pursuit of being a solo sailplane pilot. Next week I was off to Caddo Mills airport to pick up sky sailing where I left off. My instructor was an English chap, Derek Piggott. I don't remember how many duel instruction flights ( lost my log book) but I do remember my first solo like it was yesterday. I plan on getting back in the air again this summer. I hope I will not have to relearn every thing all over again and that I still retain some flight coordination. Only one way to find out, wish me luck. TDK
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jiffypop18517 June 2022I've watched this movie many times and my opinion has never changed: I find it to be basically a perfect movie. The flow is wonderful and there are no points where the film bogs down and becomes boring. There are no bad guys, no politics, a great plot, a powerful message, fine writing and excellent character development. Every main and supporting character is likable, it's well produced / directed and the cast is spectacular.
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gerdelt17 February 2014YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXK01MLnj7s
Filmed in (and above) Rockwall, Texas, "SKYWARD" is an inspirational, made for TV, movie that will more than satisfy any lover of the "wild blue yonder" with it's spectacular aerial photography and sport flying! For the aviation enthusiast, you will share the sky with aircraft like the Stearman PT-13, Christen Eagle, and a several sailplanes.
For the lovers of heart touching dramas with inspirational messages and an all-star cast, it doesn't get much better than this! Ron Howard and Anson Williams, bring you a wonderful film dedicated to the disabled who "reach for the sky!" Julie Ward (Suzy Gilstrap, a true paraplegic) is a young wheelchair bound girl who, against handicap stereotypes, and her parent's (Marion Ross and Clu Gulager) overprotective wishes, fulfills her dream and learns to fly! She is aided with the help of flight instructor Billie Dupree (Bette Davis), airplane mechanic "Koup" (Howard Hesseman), and her high school boyfriend Scott Billings (Ben Marley).
For me, Skyward was a true inspiration as I went through flight school at TSTC in Waco, Texas from 1986 to 1988. It really puts a magical touch on aviation and has always been one of my favorite movies...thank you Ron Howard!
Where is the Christen Eagle airplane (N2FC) that was used in the movie today? In 2011 it was moved to the "EAA AirVenture Museum" in Oshkosh Wisconsin: http://www.eaa.org/news/2011/2011-10-27_christen_eagle.asp -
planktonrules25 May 2023Julie (Suzy Barbieri) is a teenager who is confined to a motorized wheelchair. She also is about to experience her first taste of independence...she's being mainstreamed and is going to attend her local high school. But like many disabled people, she doesn't like being the oddball and doesn't want to be held back. So, it's not surprising when she decides that she wants to learn to fly! But there is a problem.... Julie is afraid to ask her parents' permission so she forges their signatures. What's next? And, what will her overprotective parents do when they learn the truth?
The film deserves kudos for actually casting a disabled person to play the lead (though oddly she's listed 7th in the credits on IMDB). Too many films and TV shows (such as "The Shape of Water" and "Glee") just hire able-bodied folks...taking away jobs from needy disabled folks. Plus, considering they aren't actually disabled, they often don't do a great job in the parts.
As far as the acting goes, Barbieri is good and it helps that she has the able support of some fine actors, such as Bette Davis, Howard Hessman, Marion Ross and Clu Gulager. Well worth seeing.
By the way, this was Ron Howard's first film as a director. The script was co-written by Anson Williams and Marion Ross acts in the film...and it's like a "Happy Days" reunion!