| The Jacksons: An American Dream | |
|---|---|
The DVD cover for the miniseries. |
|
| Distributed by | KJ Films/Motown Films |
| Directed by | Karen Arthur |
| Produced by | Suzanne de Passe Joyce Eliason Jermaine Jackson Margaret Maldonado Stan Marguiles |
| Written by | Joyce Eliason |
| Starring | Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs Angela Bassett Holly Robinson Peete Margaret Avery Alex Burrall Jermaine Jackson, Jr. Bumper Robinson Floyd Meyers Jr. Monica Calhoun Jason Weaver Angel Vargas Terrence Howard Vanessa L. Williams Billy Dee Williams Wylie Draper Colin Steele |
| Music by | Harold Wheeler |
| Language | English |
| Original channel | ABC |
| Original run | November 15, 1992 – November 18, 1992 |
| Running time | 240 min. |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
The Jacksons: An American Dream is a five-hour American miniseries broadcast in two halves on ABC and originally broadcast on November 15 through November 18, 1992.[1] It is based upon the history of the Jackson family, one of the most successful musical families in show business, and the early and successful years of the popular Motown group The Jackson 5.
The miniseries was executive produced by Suzanne de Passe and Stan Marguiles, produced by Joyce Eliason, Jermaine Jackson and Margaret Maldonado and directed by Karen Arthur. It was filmed on location in Pittsburgh, PA, where director Arthur had previously filmed her feature film Lady Beware. The Jacksons: An American Dream is based on Katherine Jackson's My Family autobiography.
Contents |
The miniseries stars Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as the Jacksons' patriarch Joseph Jackson, Angela Bassett as the family matriarch Katherine Jackson, Jason Weaver and Wylie Draper played Michael Jackson in different eras, while Bumper Robinson and Terrence Howard played Jackie Jackson in different eras, Angel Vargas played Tito Jackson, Margaret Avery as Katherine's mother Martha Scruse, Holly Robinson Peete as Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams as Berry Gordy and Vanessa L. Williams as Suzanne de Passe. The opening titles of the film shows footage of the real Jacksons rehearsing, performing on stage, a few clips from the "Can You Feel It" music video, cover albums and pictures of the family. The film is mostly based on the autobiography written by Katherine Jackson, who issued the 1990 autobiography, My Family. Part one of the film was based on how Joseph and Katherine managed to raise their children, first in Gary, Indiana, then later dealing with The Jackson 5's early fame and its consequences. Part two of the film is based on the struggles of young Michael Jackson as he deals with his brothers marrying early into The Jackson 5 success, his problems with acne as a teenager, his eventual solo superstardom based on the success of his albums Off the Wall and Thriller and his legendary Motown 25 performance of "Billie Jean" as well as his difficult relationship with his father.
Michael Jackson’s voice is heard on: “Beat It,” “Human Nature,” “Billie Jean,” “I Want You Back,” "I Wanna Be Where You Are," “I'll Be There,” “Rockin' Robin,” “ABC,” and “Dancing Machine.” On all other songs, the Michael Jackson vocal part is performed by Alex Burrall, Jason Weaver or Kipp Lennon.
There were a few scenes in the movie that are different from how they happened in real life.
Wylie Draper, who portrayed Michael Jackson as a teenager and as an adult, died a year later after the movie was released. He was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. He was 24 years old.
The film aired shortly after Joe Jackson's mother died. Chrystal Jackson died on November 4 that year
The Jacksons: An American Dream became one of the most popular and successful music-biography miniseries of the 1990s. Part 1 of the miniseries was the third highest-rated program broadcast during the week of November 9–15 with a 21.1 rating.[2] Part 2 of the miniseries was watched by 38.4 million viewers[3] in 22.3 million households[4] becoming the highest-rated program broadcast during the week of November 16–22[4] posting a 23.9 rating, and 36 share.[3] Overall, the miniseries was watched in 38.3 million households and posted a 22.3 rating and 33 share.[5]
The series won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Choreography, and was also nominated for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special, Outstanding Miniseries, and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Special.
Bumper Robinson won a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Television Movie, and Alex Burrall and Jason Weaver both won a special award for Outstanding Young Performers Starring in a Mini-Series. The miniseries was later rebroadcast on VH1 and released to VHS and DVD. The DVD version of the miniseries was released as a two-disc set. The first disc was named "The Early Years" and the second disc was named "The Success Years". In 2004, VH1 would produce Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story, which picked up Michael's life from the end of The Jacksons to the present, which at the time included him standing trial on charges of child molestation.
The miniseries aired frequently after the death of Michael Jackson. It has been shown on TV One, BET, Centric and VH1. It is followed by Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story.
| The Jacksons: An American Dream | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by The Jackson 5 | |
| Released | September 29, 1992 |
| Recorded | 1992 |
| Genre | Soul, Funk |
| Length | 37:51 |
| Label | Motown |
All songs performed by the Jackson 5 except where noted
Track 1 (Who's Lovin' You (Live) & Track 5 (Medley:) - Walk On / The Love You Save (Live):
- Recorded live in Gary, Indiana, May 29, 1971.
Track 9 ((Medley:) - I Want You Back / ABC (Live):
- Recorded live at the Forum, Los Angeles, CA. August 26, 1972
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||