Can You Hear the Laughter? The Story of Freddie Prinze

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Can You Hear the Laughter? The Story of Freddie Prinze
GenreDrama
Based on"Good Night Sweet Prinze"
by Peter S. Greenberg
Written byDalene Young
Directed by Burt Brinckerhoff
Starring Ira Angustain
Kevin Hooks
Randee Heller
Julie Carmen
Music by Peter Matz
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers Roger Gimbel
Tony Converse
Producer Peter S. Greenberg
CinematographyRobert Caramico
Editor Aaron Stell
Running time100 minutes
Production companies EMI Television
Roger Gimbel Productions
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 11, 1979 (1979-09-11)

Can You Hear the Laughter? The Story of Freddie Prinze is a 1979 American made-for-television biographical drama film of the life of stand-up comedian and actor Freddie Prinze (portrayed by Ira Angustain). [1] The teleplay by Dalene Young is based on a Playboy magazine article entitled "Good Night Sweet Prinze" by Peter S. Greenberg. The film was made without the cooperation of Prinze's mother or widow. [2]

Contents

Plot

At 19, Freddie Prinze (Ira Angustain) exploded on the entertainment scene. With the help of his friend, comedian David Brenner (Ken Sylk), Freddie's career catapulted from second-rate clubs in Manhattan to a prime time stardom on the 1970s television sitcom Chico and the Man as well as sell-out crowds in Las Vegas.

Although Freddie had fame, fortune, women, the leap into overnight stardom also brought with it a new set of problems. Freddie looked for love and approval in any way he could, but happiness and satisfaction eluded him. Finding no one to understand him, he turned inward and deeper into drugs.

Cast

Production

The budget was $1.3 million. [3]

References

  1. The Freddie Prinze Story on CBS Rosenberg, Howard. Los Angeles Times 11 Sep 1979: g14.
  2. Tempo: Family fuming over Prinze TV biography Beck, Marilyn. Chicago Tribune 8 June 1979: b15.
  3. He'll Portray Freddie on Film: PRINZE MOVIE He'll Play His Idol on FilmRosenberg, Howard. Los Angeles Times 27 Aug 1979: e1.