Not Quite Human (film)
| Not Quite Human | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy Family Science Fiction |
| Based on | Not Quite Human by Seth McEvoy |
| Written by | Alan Ormsby |
| Directed by | Steven Hilliard Stern |
| Starring | Jay Underwood Alan Thicke Robyn Lively |
| Music by | Tom Scott |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Steven Hilliard Stern |
| Producer | Noel Resnick |
| Production locations | Phoenix, Arizona Scottsdale, Arizona Coronado High School - 2501 N. 74th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Cinematography | Ken Lamkin |
| Editor | Ron Wisman |
| Running time | 97 minutes |
| Production companies | Sharmhill Productions Walt Disney Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | June 19, 1987 |
Not Quite Human is a 1987 television film directed by Steven Hilliard Stern and starring Jay Underwood, Alan Thicke, and Robyn Lively. The story is based on the Not Quite Human book series by Seth McEvoy. It is the first[1] of three films in a series; its sequels are Not Quite Human II (1989) and Still Not Quite Human (1992). The filming locations were in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona.
Plot
Dr. Jonas Carson (Alan Thicke) creates[2] an android that looks just like a human teenage boy, and he "adopts" him as his son and as an older brother to Becky (Robyn Lively), who names him Chip. After the Carsons move to a new town, Chip (Jay Underwood) is enrolled in high school alongside Becky. Dr. Carson also goes to the high school, having filled a vacancy as a science teacher, which allows him close range to see how Chip interacts with others.
Chip's ways seem to have an annoying or amusing effect on students and teachers, depending on how it is viewed. Chip runs afoul of Coach Duckworth and strict teachers, but his literalist actions surprisingly make him some friends, as other teenagers see it as a way that he is bucking the system. Chip also gains the attention of Erin (Kristy Swanson), a fellow student.
However, Dr. Carson and Chip are being stalked by Gordon Vogel (Joseph Bologna), a former employer who is a defense contractor. A former colleague of Carson's, J.J. Derks, is enlisted to seek out Carson. When asked about Carson's son, Derks says Carson only has a daughter until he remembers that Carson in his younger years had confided in some friends about his idea to make a realistic android, which Derks and the others originally dismissed. Vogel tells Derks they will capture Chip, as Carson had failed to oblige an earlier contract. Since Chip was built with Vogel's resources and while Carson was supposed to honor the contract, Vogel claims he is entitled to ownership of Chip. When Derks questions what Vogel wants with Chip, Vogel replies he intends to reprogram Chip for military purposes. Chip must shake his pursuers while trying to present a "normal" life like a human.
Cast
- Jay Underwood ... Chip Carson
- Alan Thicke ... Dr. Jonas Carson
- Robyn Lively ... Becky Carson
- Joseph Bologna ... Gordon Vogel
- Robert Harper ... J.J. Derks
- Kristy Swanson ... Erin Jeffries
- Lili Haydn ... Jenny Beckerman
- Brandon Douglas ... Scott Barnes
- Carey Scott ... Paul Fairgate
- Brian Cole ... Jake Blocker
- Sasha Mitchell ... Bryan Skelly
- Judy Starr ... Dr. Sondra Stahl
- Greg Monaghan ... Coach Duckworth
Production
Made as a two part movie by Disney, made for the Disney Channel.[3]
Reception
Received two out of 5 stars by Creature Feature, which called it "undistinguished fodder" [4] Entertainment Weekly gave the movie a "C," calling it mild.[5]
References
- ^ Sherman, Fraser A. Cyborgs, Santa Claus and Satan: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films ... p. 138.
- ^ O’Neal, Sean (April 15, 2015). "Why was I programmed to love Screech?: 12 wastes of artificial intelligence". AV Club.
- ^ https://ew.com/article/1993/08/13/history-kids/
- ^ Stanley, J (2000) Creature Feature:3rd Edition
- ^ https://ew.com/article/1993/08/13/history-kids/