DOOR TO DOOR (TV)
Summary
This Emmy Award-winning drama is based on the true story of Bill Porter, a door-to-door salesman with cerebral palsy. The film is divided into chapters, each corresponding to changes in Porter's life. The first chapter, "I think there's something wrong with me," begins in October 1955 as Porter, with his mother's encouragement, overcomes discrimination and becomes a successful door-to-door salesman; Porter's new-found independence is tested when his mother's occasional confusion develops into dementia. The second chapter, "Well, now we're even," sees Porter develop a unique brand of self-sufficiency, relying on his wit and neighborly camaraderie to accomplish daily tasks for which he used to depend on his mother; as he builds a customer base, he reveals an open-minded kindness and steely determination that serve him well in business. December 1970 brings "Shelly," a chapter in which Porter branches out socially, becoming more personally involved in customer's affairs, hiring an assistant, Shelly, and mourning his mother's death. Societal and personal developments abound in "Make a wish," which opens in May 1980 as Porter's romantic feelings for Shelly are revealed; his achievements are temporarily overshadowed by despair over his unsuccessful bid for Shelly's heart. November 1989 brings "I love being a salesman," in which Porter receives recognition for accomplishments as a salesman and a friend. "The #22 Crosstown" sees Porter stubbornly struggling to maintain his independence during the technological boom of the mid-nineties. A down-and-out Porter is resurrected in "An invisible thread," in which an article written about him reignites his passion for selling and enables him to accept help from friends as a return in kind. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: TNT
- DATE: July 14, 2002 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:30:53
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:71606
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Sales personnel; Cerebral palsy
- SERIES RUN: TNT - TV, 2002
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Dan Angel … Executive Producer
- Billy Brown … Executive Producer
- Daniel A. Rosemont … Executive Producer
- Robert J. King … Co-Executive Producer
- Forest Whitaker … Co-Executive Producer
- Warren Carr … Producer
- Steven Schachter … Director, Writer
- William H. Macy … Writer
- Jeff Beal … Music by
- William H. Macy … Cast, Bill Porter
- Kyra Sedgewick … Cast, Shelly Brady
- Kathy Baker … Cast, Gladys
- Joel Brooks … Cast, Alan
- Woody Jeffreys … Cast, Brad
- Romy Rosemont … Cast, Rhoda
- Eric Keenleyside … Cast, Neighbor Bob
- Daryl Shuttleworth … Cast, Larry
- Helen Mirren … Cast, Mrs. Porter
- Bill Dow … Cast, Chuck
- Michael Shanks … Cast, John
- Michael P. Northey … Cast, Go Away Guy
- Laurie Murdoch … Cast, Older Joey / Reporter
- G. Patrick Currie … Cast, 1st Bellman
- Paul Magel … Cast, 2nd Bellman
- Alvin Sanders … Cast, Shoeshine Guy
- Christina Jastrzembska … Cast, Mrs. Kotlarenko
- Mary Black … Cast, Mrs. Warren
- Greg Kean … Cast, Clark
- Kate Robbins … Cast, Woman with Cats
- L. Harvey Gold … Cast, Man in Traction
- Fred Keating … Cast, Doctor
- Lorena Gale … Cast, Hospital Administrator
- Brett Stone … Cast, Hippie Mother
- Kevin McNulty … Cast, President of Watkins
- David Lewis … Cast, Peter Schaefer
- Mary McCann … Cast, Gladys' Daughter-in-Law
- Robert Moloney … Cast, Gladys' Son
- Jesse Moss … Cast, Watkins Stock Boy
- Linda Kimbrough … Cast, Real Estate Agent
- Candus Churchill … Cast, Diner Waitress
- Philip Tsui … Cast, Japanese Super
- Aidan Drummond … Cast, Young Joey
- Tyler Foley … Cast, Diner Teenage Boy
- Melanie Merkovsky … Cast, Diner Teenage Girl
- David Kopp … Cast, Job Teenager
- Linden Banks … Cast, Minister
- Nicole Robert … Cast, Dean of College
- Deryl Hayes … Cast, Policeman
- Haili Page Philippe … Cast, Kim
- Alfred E. Humphreys … Cast, Man in Car
- Larry Musser … Cast, Other Salesman
- Troy Yorke … Cast, Jerry
- Samantha Cantner … Cast, Michelle (7)
- Shylo Sharity … Cast, Michelle (14)
- Brittany Tiplady … Cast, Katrina
- Jordan Niles … Cast, Kevin
- Bill Mackenzie … Cast, Security Guard
- Brenda M. Crichlow … Cast, Watkins Secretary
- Gardiner Millar … Cast, Cop
- Jocelyne Loewen … Cast, Woman with Larry
- Tongo Ma … Cast, Driver Bus #1
- Nancy Lenehan … Cast