Cracked Up

Last updated
Cracked Up
GenreDrama
Written by Peter Lefcourt
Directed by Karen Arthur
Starring Edward Asner
Raphael Sbarge
James Wilder
Music by Mark Snow
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers Aaron Spelling
Douglas S. Cramer
Esther Shapiro
ProducersPeter Lefcourt
Shelley Hull (associate producer)
Cheryl R. Stein (associate producer)
E. Duke Vincent (supervising producer)
CinematographyTom Neuwirth
EditorGeoffrey Rowland
Running time100 min.
Production company Aaron Spelling Productions
Distributor ABC
Release
Original networkABC
Picture formatColor
Audio format Stereo
Original releaseMay 26, 1987 (1987-05-26)

Cracked Up is a 1987 American TV film starring Ed Asner.

Contents

It was one of the first films about the crack cocaine epidemic. [1]

Cast

Production

In 1986 a special aired on American TV called 48 Hours on Crack Street. A few weeks later, in October, Aaron Spelling Productions approached writer-producer Peter Lefcourt to make a crack-related projected. "They wanted it to be the first crack movie on," Lefcourt said. "Crack is hot." [1]

The first draft was delivered in January 1987. Filming started on 9 March and the show aired in May. [1]

"I didn't want to make another 48 Hours on Crack Street," said Lefcourt. "Movies have been made about cocaine, and they are so predictable. After a while, the audience's eyes glaze over. They know the kids are going to get screwed up and their parents are going to tear their hair out." [1]

"We hope we've addressed this realistically," said director Karen Arthur. "We want to appeal to the youth audience and hope that through this film, kids who are contemplating putting this stuff in their throats, or have, will gain some courage not to, or to stop." [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Mills, Nancy (23 May 1987). "A Tv Movie Takes A Crack At 'Hot' Issue". Los Angeles Times .