Adam (1983 film)

Adam
GenreDrama
Written byAllan Leicht
Directed byMichael Tuchner
StarringDaniel J. Travanti
JoBeth Williams
Martha Scott
Richard Masur
Paul Regina
Mason Adams
Theme music composerMike Post
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersJoan Barnett
Alan Landsburg
ProducerLinda Otto
Production locationHouston
CinematographyMike Fash
EditorCorky Ehlers
Running time100 minutes
Production companyAlan Landsburg Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseOctober 10, 1983 (1983-10-10)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Adam is a 1983 American made-for-television film starring Daniel J. Travanti and JoBeth Williams. It aired on October 10, 1983, on NBC. On its original air date, it was seen by an audience of 38 million people.[1] It was rebroadcast on April 30, 1984, and rebroadcast again on April 29, 1985. At the end of each broadcast, a series of missing children's photographs and descriptions were displayed on the screen for viewers, and a telephone number was also given for viewers to call if they had any information about them. The 1985 photograph series was introduced by President Ronald Reagan in a pre-recorded message, "...maybe your eyes can help bring them home."[2] A sequel, Adam: His Song Continues followed on September 29, 1986, also starring Travanti and Williams.

The first part of the film portrays the story of the kidnapping and murder of Adam Walsh on July 27, 1981, along with its effects on the marriage of John and Revé Walsh. The second part focuses on the Walshes' attempts to pass national child protection laws in the wake of Adam's murder, and the formation of awareness groups surrounding child disappearances. The film was written by Allan Leicht and directed by Michael Tuchner.

  1. ^ Divoky, Diane (18 February 1986), "Missing Tot Estimates Exaggerated", Lodi News-Sentinel, p. 2
  2. ^ "'Adam' Again Draws Callers", Milwaukee Journal, pp. Life/Style 2, 30 April 1985