First Steps (1985 film)

First Steps
Genre	Biography; Drama
Written by	Sheldon Larry
Directed by	Rod Browning
Starring	Amy Steel; Judd Hirsch; Kim Darby
Music by	Leonard Rosenman
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
Production
Executive producer(s)	Samuel Benedict
Producer(s)	Ellis A. Cohen; Andrew Gottlieb (supervising producer); Paul A. Levin (associate producer)
Production location(s)	Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, Illinois; North Park University - 3225 W. Foster Avenue, North Park, Chicago, Illinois
Cinematography	Jack L. Richards
Editor(s)	Benjamin A. Weissman
Running time	120 min.
Production company(s)	CBS
Distributor	CBS
Release
Original network	CBS
Picture format	Color
Audio format	Mono
Original release	March 19, 1985;

First Steps is a 1985 American made-for-television biographical drama film directed by Rod Browning and starring Amy Steel, Judd Hirsch and Kim Darby. The film is based on a series of segments from 60 Minutes.[1]

Plot

In 1982, Dr. Jerrod Petrofsky is demonstrating to an assembled press conference how Nan Davis, paralyzed in a 1978 car accident, is able to take several steps using his computer-feedback controls. In a series of flashbacks, starting in 1969, Dr. Petrofsky is shown experimenting with an old computer. This leads to him becoming fascinated by muscle dynamics. In an attempt to start a relationship, he finds himself intrigued and attracted to a woman named Sherry, who understands and respects his passion for his work. Moving from St. Louis University to Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, he continues his efforts to stimulate paralyzed muscles and it is there that he begins to work with Nan and other paraplegics.

Due to how recent Nan's paralysis is, her leg muscles are strong enough to partake in Dr. Petrofsky's experiments. In order to keep funding for further research, he realizes he needs publicity and soon, the duo begin to do interviews on several television program to explain the research and the science behind his experiments. To the dismay of some of his colleagues, Dr. Petrofsky states that Nan will be able to walk at her college graduation ceremony despite limited results. Determined to keep his word, with further research and experiments, Nan is able to take 10 steps to receive her diploma with the help from her doctor and an aide.

Cast

Amy Steel as Nan Davis
Judd Hirsch as Dr. Jerrod Petrofsky
Kim Darby as Sherry Petrosky
Frances Lee McCain as Louis Davis
John Pankow as Fred
James Sikking as Jim Davis
David Packer as Brian
Ned Schmidtke as Dr. Chandler Phillips
Lucinda Jenney as Carolyn
Alan Ruck as Dave
Megan Mullally as Cathy

Production

Reception

gollark: That would be an entirely different issue to just having AGI in the first place.

gollark: If you can match or beat human performance at tasks people care about I don't think consciousness is a particularly important (or tractable) issue.

gollark: Why do brains get special treatment in terms of being "alive"? Are they really anything but just a bunch of meat?

gollark: If it's the HDD, there's your answer, maybe.

gollark: And which are MC saves on?

References

TV Guide. week of March 16-22, 1985. pg A-89.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] TV Guide. week of March 16-22, 1985. pg A-89.