Playing With Fire (found Gary Coleman TV film; 1985): Difference between revisions
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''Playing With Fire'' premiered on April 14, 1985. The film received mostly negative reviews, with several citing its mishandling of otherwise serious issues. Gary Coleman's performance in particular received the brunt of the critique. This combined with low viewership prompted NBC to not air it further. To date, no known copies of the film have surfaced, and it's currently unknown if it received any home video release. | ''Playing With Fire'' premiered on April 14, 1985. The film received mostly negative reviews, with several citing its mishandling of otherwise serious issues. Gary Coleman's performance in particular received the brunt of the critique. This combined with low viewership prompted NBC to not air it further. To date, no known copies of the film have surfaced, and it's currently unknown if it received any home video release. | ||
Claims have been made that the film was shown in schools as part of fire safety education, suggesting copies may have circulated for educational purposes. However, this has yet to be confirmed. In addition to promotional photos and advertisements, two commercial promos have also surfaced. | Claims have been made that the film was shown in schools as part of fire safety education, suggesting copies may have circulated for educational purposes. However, this has yet to be confirmed. In addition to promotional photos and advertisements, two commercial promos have also surfaced. | ||
On September 1, 2024, a recording of the film's NBC premiere was uploaded to the Internet Archive by user ''TheShadowKnight1979''. Rendering the film as found. | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
{{Video|perrow =1 | |||
|service1 =youtube | |||
|id1 =bOu4knRopb0 | |||
|description1 =The full recording of film's premiere. | |||
}} | |||
{{Video|perrow =2 | {{Video|perrow =2 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[https:// | *[https://imdb.com/title/tt0089815/ IMDb page on ''Playing With Fire''.] | ||
*[https:// | *[https://tcm.com/tcmdb/title/470484/playing-with-fire#synopsis TCM entry for ''Playing With Fire''.] | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
*[https:// | *[https://washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/04/13/colemans-cold-fire/b235edee-942c-4574-8e3c-3f1f8bfd776d/ Washington Post review by Lloyd Grove.] | ||
*[https:// | *[https://chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-04-13-8501210704-story.html Jon Anderson's review of the film.] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Found films]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Found media]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Found TV]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:52, 2 September 2024
Playing With Fire is a 1985 television drama film directed by Ivan Nagy and starring Gary Coleman, star of the popular sitcom Diff'rent Strokes.
Plot
Gary Coleman plays David Phillips, a troubled teen who engages in criminal behavior, particularly arson, in reaction to his negligent parents' separation. This gets the attention of authorities, friends, and neighbors, who implore David's parents to come through for him before it's too late. Culminating in a family therapy session in which the over-arching threads would be wrapped up, the movie ends with Gary Coleman providing a final PSA on the dangers of arson while urging viewers to seek help where needed, and "Please, don't play with fire."
Behind the Scenes
In addition to Gary Coleman, Playing With Fire also featured Cicely Tyson and Ron O'Neal as David's parents. Yaphet Kotto also co-starred as Fire Chief Walker. At the time of the film's production, Coleman was in a pay dispute with NBC over re-negotiations for Diff'rent Strokes, which would be cancelled the following year. Fire would mark one of his few forays into straight drama roles, possibly in an attempt to break away from his association with the sitcom.
Availability
Playing With Fire premiered on April 14, 1985. The film received mostly negative reviews, with several citing its mishandling of otherwise serious issues. Gary Coleman's performance in particular received the brunt of the critique. This combined with low viewership prompted NBC to not air it further. To date, no known copies of the film have surfaced, and it's currently unknown if it received any home video release. Claims have been made that the film was shown in schools as part of fire safety education, suggesting copies may have circulated for educational purposes. However, this has yet to be confirmed. In addition to promotional photos and advertisements, two commercial promos have also surfaced.
On September 1, 2024, a recording of the film's NBC premiere was uploaded to the Internet Archive by user TheShadowKnight1979. Rendering the film as found.