Made for Television Movies

TV movies adapted from novels were probably-in my opinion-the greatest things of all to come out of the 70's. The birth of the Mini-Series introduced TV audiences to 3 or more part epic movies like "QB VII" and "Rich Man, Poor Man."

Not all of the 70's made for television movies were adapted from novels. Some were very innovative and entertaining original scripts. Two timeless standouts would have to be "Duel" a supreme thriller directed by new-comer Steven Spielberg, about an average businessman engaged in a bizarre episode of road rage with a ghostly renegade trucker, and "Gargoyles" a special effects wonder about mythical creatures come to life.

The movie "The MIssiles of October" was a perfectly crafted true-life thriller about the terrifying event that happened in the world in October of 1962. William Devane's portrayal of John F. Kennedy was nothing short of amazing. Below is a concise sampling of 70's made for television movies that tackled some of the most taboo and controversial subjects ever considered for mainstream audiences. Among these topics that wouldn't even be permitted at the dinner table, let alone prime time TV screens include: Homosexual relationships, extreme child abuse, male prison rape, racism, interracial love affairs, sexual problems, sexual reassignment, (two of these films featured Robert Reed as a man addicted to making obscene phone calls, and the other as a man who changes to a woman), political scandals, and compelling non-fiction. These films were incredibly well-done, and should be considered as some of the finest films ever made, TV notwithstanding.

The Made-for-TV moviesintroduced two teen heart throbs who actually went on to do very excellent work: Robby Benson and Jan-Michael Vincent. Robby Benson was extremely popular with made for television films like: "The Death of Ritchie", "All the Kind Strangers", and "Ode to Billie Joe". Jan-Michael Vincent appeared in: "Tribes" and went straight to a career of movies and parts on various televison series'.

• Brian's Song 1970
• Tribes 1970
• My Sweet Charlie 1970
• Duel 1971
• Gargoyles 1972
• That Certain Summer 1972
• The Glass House 1972
• The Blue Knight 1973
• The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman 1974
• The Execution of Private Slovik 1974
• The Missiles of October 1974
• Trilogy of Terror 1975
• The U.F.O. Incident 1975
• Helter Skelter 1976
• Sybil 1976
• The Gathering 1977
• The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald 1977
• The Dark Secret of Harvest Home 1978
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 1979
• The House on Garibaldi Street 1979