X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

American Playhouse Season 5 Episodes

16 Episodes 1986 - 1986

Episode 1

The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket

Mon, Jan 20, 1986 60 mins

"The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket," Peter Parnell's fantasy-drama, stars Tom Hulce as an adolescent who's determined---and indeed able---to fly without the use of wings. Richard: Timothy Daly. Alice: Valerie Mahaffey. Steven: James Eckhouse. Mrs. Rice: Elizabeth Franz. Jeffrey: Tom Robbins. Roger: Scott Waara. Judy: Jane Jones.

Where to Watch

Episode 2

The Roommate

Mon, Jan 27, 1986 60 mins

"The Roommate," John Updike's story of college life in the '50s, tells how the world of Orson Ziegler (Lance Guest) is turned upside down by his eccentric roommate (Barry Miller). Emily: Melissa Ford. Lester: Elmer Two Crow. Barbara: Elaine Wilkes. Silverstein: David Bachman.

Where to Watch

Episode 3

Valentine's Revenge

Mon, Feb 3, 1986 60 mins

"Valentine's Revenge" spins an O. Henry yarn about a safecracker (Victor Ertmanis) who's cured by a dose of small-town values. O. Henry: Marc Strange. Annabel: Wendy Lyon. Ben: Gary Reineke. Adams: Chris Wiggins. Grey: Cec Linder.

Where to Watch

Episode 4

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mon, Feb 10, 1986 60 mins

A four-part adaptation of Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" begins in 1844 St. Petersburg, Mo., where Huck (Patrick Day) is abducted by his alcoholic father (Frederic Forrest). Widow Douglas: Sada Thompson. Miss Watson: Anne Shropshire. Jim: Samm-Art Williams. Tom Sawyer: Eugene Oakes.

Where to Watch

Episode 5

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

60 mins

In Part 2 of "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," Huck (Patrick Day) and Jim decide to "run nights and hide days" on their raft journey down the Mississippi. Jim: Samm-Art Williams. Mrs. Loftus: Lillian Gish.

Where to Watch

Episode 6

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

60 mins

In Part 3 of the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," Huck (Patrick Day) is taken in by the Grangerford family---and later meets con men known as the King (Barnard Hughes) and the Duke (Jim Dale). Colonel Grangerford: Richard Kiley. Buck: Jack Reidelberger. Rachel: Shirley Toncray.

Where to Watch

Episode 7

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

60 mins

The Duke (Jim Dale) and the King (Barnard Hughes) rook townspeople with their "sublime theater" and Jim is captured in the conclusion of the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Huck: Patrick Day. Jim: Samm-Art Williams. Sally Phelps: Geraldine Page.

Where to Watch

Episode 10

The House of Ramon Iglesia

Mon, Apr 14, 1986 60 mins

The pressures of assimilation---and how they exacerbate a conflict between a father and son---are at the heart of Jose Rivera's "The House of Ramon Iglesia." Ramon: Jaime Sanchez. Javier: Nick Corri. Julio: Robert Badillo. Dolores: Marina Durell. Caroline: Annie Golden.

Where to Watch

Episode 12

Damien

Mon, Apr 28, 1986 60 mins

"Damien," Aldyth Morris's one-man play about Joseph Damien de Veuster (Terence Knapp), the 19th-century priest who lived among lepers on the Hawaiian island of Molokai for 16 years. Father Damien died of leprosy in 1889. First telecast in 1978.

Where to Watch

Episode 13

Rocket to the Moon

Mon, May 5, 1986 60 mins

In "Rocket to the Moon," John Malkovich plays Dr. Ben Stark who, nearing 40, appears resigned to a stagnant marriage and dental practice---until sparks of life and companionship are offered by his young assistant Cleo (Judy Davis). Belle Stark: Connie Booth. Mr. Prince: Eli Wallach. Phil Cooper: William Hootkins.

Where to Watch

Episode 14

A Case of Libel

Mon, May 12, 1986 60 mins

"A Case of Libel." A 1983 adaptation of Henry Denker's 1963 drama about a former war correspondent accused of being a Communist sympathizer. Bendix: Daniel J. Travanti. Sloane: Edward Asner. Corcoran: Gordon Pinsent. Cleary: Robin Gammell. Coles: Lawrence Dane. Anita: Charlotte Blunt.

Where to Watch

Episode 15

Painting Churches

Mon, May 19, 1986 60 mins

"Painting Churches," a drama about an artist's bittersweet visit with her parents. The father (Donald Moffat) is a poet who's going senile, while the mother (Sada Thompson) spends her days complaining about her lot in life and chiding her spouse. Roxanne Hart portrays the daughter.

Where to Watch

Episode 16

Roanoak

60 mins

Early interactions between the British and American Indians are the subject of "Roanoak," a three-part drama which begins with the British landing in the "New World." John White: Victor Garber. Wanchese: Joseph Runningfox. Manteo: Tino Juarez. Wingina: Will Sampson.

Where to Watch

Episode 17

Roanoak

60 mins

The British establish "a part of England on New World soil" in Part 2 of "Roanoak," but the winter heightens tensions between the Indians and the English. John White: Victor Garber. Wanchese: Joseph Runningfox. Manteo: Tino Juarez.

Where to Watch

Episode 18

Roanoak

60 mins

Conclusion. Sir Walter Raleigh (J. Kenneth Campbell) gives White permission to return to "Roanoak," this time with families instead of soldiers. Manteo: Tino Juarez. Wanchese: Joseph Runningfox. Harriot: Andrew Davis. Eleanor: Taryn Grimes.

Where to Watch

Episode 19

Sunday in the Park with George

Mon, Jun 16, 1986 60 mins

Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters star in a version of Broadway's "Sunday in the Park with George," the 1984 Sondheim-Lapine musical, reprising their stage roles as French painter Georges Seurat and his mistress. Jules/Greenberg: Charles Kimbrough. Yvonne/Naomi: Dana Ivey. Celeste No. 2/Elaine: Mary D'Arcy. Old Lady/Blair Daniels: Barbara Bryne.

Where to Watch