The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

Infobox_Film
name = The Boy in the Plastic Bubble


caption = DVD cover for "The Boy In the Plastic Bubble"
director = Randal Kleiser
producer = Cindy Dunne
Joel Thurm
writer = Joe Morgenstern (story)
Douglas Day Stewart (screenplay)
starring = John Travolta
Diana Hyland
Robert Reed
Ralph Bellamy
Glynnis O'Connor
music = Mark Snow
cinematography = Archie R. Dalzell
editing = John McSweeney Jr.
distributor = 20th Century Fox
released = November 12, 1976
runtime = 96 min.
country = United States
language = English
amg_id = A6868
imdb_id = 0074236

"The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" is a 1976 made-for-TV movie inspired by the lives of David Vetter and Ted DeVita, who had to live in containers that protected them from all pathogens, since they lacked effective immune systems. It stars John Travolta, Glynnis O'Connor, Diana Hyland, and Robert Reed. It was produced by Aaron Spelling and directed by Randal Kleiser. The teleplay was written by Douglas Day Stewart. The original music score was composed by Mark Snow.

"The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" is arguably one of the most influential and best-remembered made-for-TV movies of the 1970s. In 1992, its premise was satirized in the seventh episode of the fourth season of "Seinfeld" and was also the subject of the 2001 comedic remake film "Bubble Boy". It also served as a predecessor to the 1986 film "Crystal Heart" (originally released as " [http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0088952/ Corazón de Cristal] "). It was also referenced in an episode of House in 2005

The movie first aired on November 12, 1976, on the ABC television network.

Plot summary

The film centers on the life of Tod Lubitch, who was born with an improperly functioning immune system. This means that contact with unfiltered air may kill him, so he must live out his life in incubator conditions. He lives with his parents, since they decided to move him from the hospital where he was being kept as a boy. He is constricted to staying in his room all his life, where he eats, learns, reads and exercises, while being protected from the outside world by various coverings.

As Tod grows up, he wishes to see more of the outside world and meet regular people his age. He is enrolled at the local school after being equipped with suitable protective clothing, similar in style to an astronaut's suit. He falls in love with his next door neighbor, Gina Briggs, and he must decide between following his heart and facing near-certain death, or remaining in his protective bubble forever. In the end, after having a discussion with his doctor who tells him he has built up some immunities which may possibly be enough to survive the real world, he steps outside his house, unprotected, and Gina and him ride off on her horse.

Accuracy and criticism

The "Bubble Boy" who inspired this film, David Vetter, had an opportunity to watch this film on videotape and noted how unsterile Tod's use of the spacesuit was. Vetter laughed at the idea that his character could simply wear the space suit back into the isolator without contaminating the bubble. [McVicker, Steve. [http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/1997-04-10/feature_full.html "Bursting the Bubble."] "Houston Press", April 10, 1997.]

Main cast

* John Travolta - Tod Lubitch
* Diana Hyland - Mickey Lubitch
* Robert Reed - Johnny Lubitch
* Ralph Bellamy - Dr. Ernest Gunther
* Glynnis O'Connor - Gina Biggs

ee also

* "Bubble Boy", 2001 film
* Boy in the bubble
* "The Bubble Boy", an episode of "Seinfeld".

References

External links

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* [http://tesla.liketelevision.com/liketelevision/tuner.php?channel=1077&format=movie&theme=guide Watch the film online]
* [http://cultfilmfreak.com/sethwagerman Seth Wagerman ("Young Todd") Interview]