Gary Coleman plays with matches and your expectations in this forgotten '85 TV movie inferno.
Gary Coleman stars as a teenage arsonist. The authorities, friends, and neighbors warn his absentee parents until it is too late.
Acting
Gary Coleman breaking type as genuinely troubled, not comic relief.
Direction
Ivan Nagy wringing tension from made-for-TV constraints.
Director
Ivan Nagy
Gary Coleman
David Phillips
Cicely Tyson
Carol Phillips
Ron O'Neal
Steve Phillips
Yaphet Kotto
Fire Chief Walker
Tammy Lauren
Pamela Fredericks
Salome Jens
Dr. Becker
Richard McKenzie
Principal Sweeney
Arthur Burghardt
Harry
Jacque Lynn Colton
Miss Somerhalter
Rance Howard
Fireman Goodwin
Cherie Johnson
Eileen Phillips
Brad Savage
Paul
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This aired during peak 'very special episode' era when sitcom stars did dramatic TV movies to prove range.
Coleman reportedly took this role specifically to escape his Diff'rent Strokes typecasting—tragically, Hollywood never let him.
US
