Like Mom, Like Me - A Look Back

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A television film from 1978, "Like Mom, Like Me," truly captured the feelings of a family changing after a big event. It aired on CBS and gave viewers a chance to see a mother and daughter trying to figure things out when their lives were suddenly different. This movie, based on a book, brought some well-known faces to the small screen, showing a story that many people could, in a way, understand and feel a connection with.

The film, which first appeared in October 1978, actually had its start as a novel carrying the same name, penned by Sheila Schwartz. It's interesting to note that the script for the movie was put together by her daughter, Nancy Lynn Schwartz, making it a truly family-driven project. This connection, you know, between a mother and daughter creating the story, really adds a special touch to the whole production, reflecting the very themes the film itself explores.

This particular drama, "Like Mom, Like Me," presents a look into the lives of a college professor and her daughter as they face a new beginning. Their world gets turned upside down when the husband and father leaves them. The story then, basically, unfolds as they work through their raw feelings and their need for warmth and someone to share their lives with. It's a pretty intense look at how people cope with big changes.

The Story Behind Like Mom, Like Me

The core idea of "Like Mom, Like Me" centers on a family dealing with a significant shift. Linda Lavin plays a professor, Althea, whose partner suddenly departs, leaving her and her young person, Jennifer, played by Kristy McNichol, to pick up the pieces. This sudden departure, you know, creates a void, and the film then shows how these two women, a mother and her child, cope with the emotional fallout and try to build a new life for themselves. It’s a pretty honest look at family dynamics when faced with unexpected loneliness.

The movie really gets into the difficulties a college professor and her teenage daughter experience as they try to start fresh after being left alone. It’s not just about the sadness, but also about the search for new connections and companionship. They move to a new place, find a new apartment, and then, basically, they have to figure out how to manage their deep feelings and their longing for closeness. It's a very human story about finding strength in a time of upset, and you really see them try to find their footing again.

Who Brought Like Mom, Like Me to Life?

Key Actors in Like Mom, Like Me

The film featured a cast that brought these emotional roles to life. Linda Lavin, who many people knew from other television appearances, took on the part of Althea, the professor and mother. Kristy McNichol, a young person who was quite popular at the time, played Jennifer, the daughter. Their performances, you know, were a big part of what made the film connect with people.

Max Gail also had a part in the movie, as did Stacey Nelkin. These actors, along with Lavin and McNichol, formed the main group of performers who told this particular story. The chemistry between Linda Lavin and Kristy McNichol, in particular, was noted by viewers. They really seemed to work well together as a mother and daughter on screen, which, actually, is pretty important for a film like this.

Linda Lavin, as the mother figure, had to show a range of feelings, from sadness to a slow return to hope. She had to portray someone who was trying to keep things together for her child while also dealing with her own private grief. Kristy McNichol, on the other hand, played the young person who, in some respects, might have had a harder time understanding why her father left. Her character had to deal with the feelings of being abandoned and the anger that can come with such a situation. It’s said that Kristy sometimes showed a lot of emotion in her parts, and in this film, her character apparently had a moment where she expressed a lot of frustration when her mother found a new man she did not approve of.

What's the Heart of Like Mom, Like Me?

The central point of "Like Mom, Like Me" is the shared experience of a mother and daughter after a family split. When Professor Patrick O'Neal, the husband and father, simply walks out, leaving his wife Linda Lavin and daughter Kristy McNichol, their lives are, quite literally, turned upside down. This event opens them up to the idea of new connections and, as a result, they start to look for love in unexpected places. The movie explores how these two individuals, very different in their stages of life, process such a significant loss and then, you know, try to move forward.

The story goes into the deep feelings of both the mother and the daughter. For the mother, there's the hurt of being left and the challenge of raising a child alone. For the daughter, there's the confusion and sadness of losing a father figure, and the typical ups and downs of being a teenager are, basically, made even harder by this family situation. The film really tries to show the emotional journey they both go on, highlighting their need for closeness and a sense of belonging in their new, uncertain world. It’s a pretty honest look at how families cope when things get tough.

How Was Like Mom, Like Me Produced?

The television film "Like Mom, Like Me" was a production from 1978. Michael Pressman took on the role of director for this project. It aired on the CBS network, which was a big platform for television movies at that time. The fact that it was shown on a major network like CBS meant that a lot of people, you know, had the chance to see this story unfold. The production aimed to bring Sheila Schwartz's novel to life, keeping the essence of the book's themes for a wider audience.

Nancy Malone, a performer from the 1940s who later found success as a television executive, had a part in producing this film. Her involvement, in some respects, shows the shift in television production during that era, where people from different parts of the entertainment world started to shape what viewers saw. The movie had a running time of about one hour and thirty minutes, or perhaps a little more, and was presented in color, which was, of course, standard for television productions of that period. It was made as a drama, a type of story that often explored family issues and personal struggles, which this film certainly did.

When Did Like Mom, Like Me Air?

The first time "Like Mom, Like Me" was shown to the public was on October 22, 1978, in the United States. This was a Sunday night broadcast on the CBS network. It was part of a lineup that included other popular shows of the time, such as "60 Minutes," an episode of "All in the Family" called "Edith's Final Respects," and an episode of "Alice." This scheduling, you know, meant it was placed among programs that drew a lot of viewers, giving it a good chance to be seen by many households across the country.

The film's release date, that, really puts it in a specific time frame for television. The 1970s saw a lot of made-for-TV movies that explored social and personal issues, and "Like Mom, Like Me" fit right into that trend. Its initial broadcast was a significant event for those who followed television dramas, and it provided a quiet, reflective story for a Sunday evening audience. It was, basically, a chance for people to sit down and watch a story that might make them think about their own family connections.

Did Like Mom, Like Me Connect with Audiences?

The film "Like Mom, Like Me" generally aimed to resonate with viewers by showing a very human story. While specific critical reviews from the time are not extensively detailed in the provided information, the focus was often on the performances of the lead actors. Both Linda Lavin and Kristy McNichol were considered excellent in their portrayals of mother and daughter, which, you know, is a good sign that the acting helped the story come across well. The emotional content of the film, dealing with abandonment and starting fresh, was likely something many people could relate to on a personal level.

For some viewers, especially those who experienced family changes similar to the ones shown in the movie, the film could be a bit difficult to watch. One person mentioned that as a child of divorce from a similar time, watching it felt, in a way, uncomfortable sometimes. This suggests that the movie did a good job of showing the raw feelings that come with such situations, making it a powerful experience for those who had lived through something similar. The film’s ability to evoke such personal responses indicates it probably connected with its audience on a deeper level.

Where Can You Watch Like Mom, Like Me Now?

For those interested in watching "Like Mom, Like Me" today, finding it might require a bit of searching. The information provided suggests that people look for the cheapest option or how to watch it with a free trial. This indicates it might be available on various streaming platforms, or perhaps through rental or purchase options. Checking services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, or Peacock, or even other streaming services, would be a good start for anyone hoping to view this 1978 television drama.

The film is available for purchase, with one mention of a DVD or similar format being offered for a certain price. This means that, you know, even if it's not widely streaming, there are still ways to get a copy and watch it. People can also check movie databases for information on where to stream "Like Mom, Like Me," watch trailers, or see the cast details. It’s pretty clear that for a film from 1978, it still has a presence and people are looking for it, which, actually, says something about its lasting impact.

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