Earthbound (1981 film)

Earthbound
Earthbound
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	James L. Conway
Written by
Produced by	Michael Fisher; (associate producer); Charles Sellier (executive producer)
Starring	Burl Ives; Todd Porter; Christopher Connelly; Meredith MacRae
Cinematography
Edited by
Music by
Distributed by	Taft International Pictures
Release date	January 30, 1981;
Running time	94 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Earthbound is a 1981 American comic science-fiction film directed by James L. Conway.^[1] It received limited theatrical release after being rejected as a TV pilot.

Plot summary[]

When a family of benevolent humanoid aliens is stranded in the Midwestern United States after their spaceship crashes, a kind innkeeper (Burl Ives) and his grandson (Todd Porter) take them in. Once word gets out that aliens have landed, Sheriff De Rita (John Schuck) and Deputy Sweeney (Stuart Pankin) prove unable to handle the crowds. A government agent (Joseph Campanella) arrives, who wants to assure that the aliens cannot intermingle with humankind.

Cast[]

Burl Ives as Ned Anderson
Todd Porter as Tommy Anderson
Christopher Connelly as Zef
Meredith MacRae as Lara
Joseph Campanella as Conrad
Marc Gilpin as Dalem
Mindy Dow as Rosie
Elissa Leeds as Teva
Peter Isacksen as Willy
John Schuck as Sheriff De Rita
Joey Forman as Madden
Stuart Pankin as Sweeney
H.M. Wynant as Dave
Doodles Weaver as Sterling
Jesse Bennett as Gold Rush man #2
Anne Lockhart as Mom
Cindy Bertagnolli as Unknown Extra
Allen Tatomer as Extra, Local Posse, Townie
Scottie Anderson as Extra, Local Posse, Townie

Production[]

Parts of the film were shot in Park City, Utah.^[2] The movie was developed as a TV pilot, and released theatrically when the networks showed no interest. John Schuck stated that while the area where the movie was shot was beautiful, the two-week production of the film was rushed and the script was lacking. He also felt the 16-mm filming did not lend itself to a theatrical release. ^[3]

Reception[]

In Creature Feature, the movie received 2 out of 5 stars, finding the direction lacking.^[4] The show was cited as one that had potential, but was not picked up as a series in Starlog. ^[5]

References[]

Citations[]

^ Young 2000, p. 184.
^ D'Arc, James V. (2010). When Hollywood came to town: a history of moviemaking in Utah (1st ed.). Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781423605874.
^ Warren, B (January 1989) Starlog #138 John Schuck: Klingon of a Thousand Faces
^ Stanley, J. (2000) Creature Feature:3rd Edition
^ Goldberg, L. (December 1991 ) Starlog #173 The Sci Fi TV You Didn't See.

Sources[]

R. G. Young, ed. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies (1st ed.). Milwaukee: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 184. ISBN 978-1557832696.

External links[]

[FOOTNOTEYoung2000184-1] Young 2000, p. 184.

[2] D'Arc, James V. (2010). When Hollywood came to town: a history of moviemaking in Utah (1st ed.). Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781423605874.

[3] Warren, B (January 1989) Starlog #138 John Schuck: Klingon of a Thousand Faces

[4] Stanley, J. (2000) Creature Feature:3rd Edition

[5] Goldberg, L. (December 1991 ) Starlog #173 The Sci Fi TV You Didn't See.

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