Title: Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid Film
Inclusive Dates: 1977

Call Number: FG 581-FG 582

Quantity: 2 film reels

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society Archives / Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
Contact Information

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Made-for-TV movie about an inner-city teen who wants to become a veterinarian.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-fg581

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

This collection consists of the made-for-TV movie Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid, which aired on NBC on September 12, 1977. This is an adaptation of the novel Peoples by Robert C.S. Downs. The movie told the story of Billy “The Kid” Peoples (Levar Burton), who has just attempted suicide and is slowly recovering in a hospital. Through flashbacks we learn that he is a former teen boxer who studied for his GED and worked at a veterinary hospital, where he developed a dream of becoming a veterinarian. However, a series of tragedies strike and lead him to the events that put him in the hospital.

Both reels in this collection are 16 mm prints with sound and have a combined running time of approximately 90 minutes. The visual quality of these prints is generally good, with some minor sound fluctuations.

Use Restrictions

No duplication or public screening without consent of copyright holder.

Acquisition Information

Presented by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. Accession Number: M95-215/WCFTR

FG 581-582

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid Note: Director: Steven Gethers Producer: Mark Carliner Writer: Steven Gethers Cast: Levar Burton, Ossie Davis, Dolph Sweet, Chick Vennera, Tina Andrews, Roxie Roker, T.K. Carter, Michael Constantine