''Skyward'' is a 1980 American made-for-television drama film starring Bette Davis,

Howard Hesseman Howard Hesseman (February 27, 1940 – January 29, 2022) was an American actor known for his television roles as burned-out disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever on ''WKRP in Cincinnati'', and the lead role of history teacher Charlie Moore on ''Head of ...

, Marion Ross, Suzy Gilstrap, Clu Gulager and Lisa Whelchel. It was directed by Ron Howard, written by Nancy Sackett and broadcast on NBC on November 20, 1980.

Plot

Bette Davis stars as a flight instructor at an old Texas airport. When a young girl in a wheelchair finds the airport by watching gliders fly, she decides she wants to learn how to fly. Davis teaches her to fly with some special controls adapted for her disability. Howard Hesseman is an aircraft repair service mechanic trying desperately to get an old airplane back in the air. The three, together, put the young girl and the old plane up in the air.

Production

The film was made on location in Rockwall, Texas, with the plot centering on the town's airport.Wilfong, David (16 August 2009)
Rockwall seeking to become ‘Film Friendly City’
''Rockwall County Herald Banner'' Director Ron Howard has credited this film as helping to convince studios that he could direct feature films. Getting General Electric to sponsor the film was a big step, and getting Bette Davis on board was also ambitious. Howard recalls that Bette Davis was initially concerned about Gilstrap's casting because she had no real acting experience. Davis referred to Howard to "Mr. Howard" at the beginning of the first day of filming, but he soon became "Ron," and she later highly complimented his work, telling him he could be another William Wyler.Ron Howard's Skyward
Archive of American Television (Ron Howard Interview), retrieved 9 September 2020Wygant, Bonnie
Bette Davis Interview
NBC DFW (1980)

Reception

John J. O'Connor of '' The New York Times'' opined that G.E. Theater, "an indefatigable supplier of upbeat dramas," had "clearly found itself another hefty dose of safe inspiration" in this film. But he did credit the casting of paraplegic teenager Suzy GilstrapGritten, David (7 December 1981)
Paralyzed by a Falling Tree, Suzy Gilstrap Turned to Acting and Her Career Heads Skyward
''People'' in the lead role, as well as the casting of Bette Davis and

.TV: Handicapped Girl And Her Flying Lessons
'' The New York Times'' Tom Shales of '' The Washington Post'' called the movie "one sweet piece of work" and a "lyrical heartwarmer." Shales, Tom (20 November 1980)
Reaching For the Stars
'' The Washington Post'' The movie was the 16th ranked prime time television show in the United States for the week of its release, with a 22.0 Nielsen rating.(26 November 1980)
Bullseye! CBS hits rating record with two shots
''Courier-Post'' ( Associated Press story) The movie's success led to a one-hour Christmas special directed by Vincent McEveety in December 1981 called ''Skyward Christmas''. Though Gilstrap reprised her role as Julie, the cast was largely new and the production generally received poor reviews.(3 December 1981)
'Skyward' sequel flops
''Dayton Daily News''

Cast

* Bette Davis as Billie Dupree *

as Koup Trenton * Marion Ross as Natalie Ward * Clu Gulager as Steve Ward *Ben Marley as Scott Billings * Lisa Whelchel as Lisa Ward *Suzy Gilstrap as Julie Ward(16 November 1980)
Don't Feel Sorry
''San Bernardino Sun'' (TV Week) *

Irma P. Hall Irma Dolores Player Hall (born June 3, 1935) is an American actress who has appeared in films and television shows since the early 1970s. Hall often played matriarchal figures in films including ''A Family Thing'', '' The Ladykillers'' and ''Soul ...

as Mrs. Sinclair *Mark Wheeler as Mr. Olsen *Jessie Lee Fulton as Secretary * Bill Thurman as Pilot #1 * Rance Howard as Pilot #2 *Rhonda Minton as Stephanie *Gene Pietragallo as Jason *Greta Blackburn as Miss Russell *Jeff Nicholson as Theatre Usher *Kate Finlayson as Nurse *Rusty McCaskey as Boy in Class *

Bill Blackwood Bill Blackwood (born April 5, 1955) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. During the 1977–78 season, Blackwood played three games in the World Hockey Association with the Indianapolis Racers The Indianapolis Racers wer ...

as himself *Charley French as Boy in Class

References

External links

* {{Ron Howard 1980 television films 1980 films 1980 drama films American drama television films 1980s English-language films Films directed by Ron Howard Films scored by Lee Holdridge NBC network original films Films shot in Dallas Films about disability in the United States Films about paraplegics or quadriplegics 1980s American films