Sort by IMDb Rating - Highest Rated Movies and TV Shows With Jay Presson Allen
- Job Types
- Movies or TV
- Genres
- Keywords
- IMDb Rating
- Instant Watch Options
- In Theaters
- Release Year
1.
American Playhouse (1980–1994)
Episode:
Tru
(1992)
Comedy, Drama, Romance
A recording of a live performance of the Broadway play about two days in the life of Truman Capote during the time of the publication of his controversial story "Answered Prayers" in ... See full summary »
Director: Kirk Browning | Star: Robert Morse
Votes: 113
2.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
A Right and Proper Goodbye
(1976)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Hattie, Kate's headstrong mother, pays a final visit to the family. She attempts to hide a serious illness, but takes Buddy into her confidence. Kate eventually realizes that Hattie can no ... See full summary »
Director: Randal Kleiser | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Elayne Heilveil, Gary Frank
Votes: 61
3.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Pilot: The Best Years
(1976)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Nancy walks in on Jeff and finds him with another woman and moves back home. Buddy overhears something Kate says about her children, and runs away.
Director: Mark Rydell | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Elayne Heilveil, Gary Frank
Votes: 103
4.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
We Love You, Miss Jessup
(1977)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy is fawning over her teacher Miss Jessup. When Kate goes to a PTA meeting, one of the parents reveals that Miss Jessup is a lesbian and that she reportedly had an affair with a student... See full summary »
Director: Edward Parone | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 48
5.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Rites of Friendship
(1976)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Willie experiences difficulty accepting his childhood friend Zeke who is arrested in a gay bar. Buddy seeks dancing lessons from a disinterested Nancy.
Director: Glenn Jordan | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 60
6.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Smarts
(1980)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Annie and Buddy each have problems with intellect: Annie feels she's too smart, while Buddy fears she's not smart enough.
Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 30
7.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Such Sweet Sorrow
(1976)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Willie's relationship with Big Al is complicated by Salina's surprise reappearance in his life. Doug considers relocating the family to New York.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 43
8.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Best Friends
(1977)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy's relationship with T.J. complicates her friendship with Audrey. At her class reunion, Nancy becomes reacquainted with Brian Slater, the high school sweetheart she dumped for Jeff, but Brian's hiding a terrible secret.
Director: Robert Hartford-Davis | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 41
9.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Expectations
(1978)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Nancy's the victim of sexual harassment from her new boss. Buddy tries out for a slot on the cheer leading squad at school.
Director: Edward Parone | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 36
10.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1978)
Episode:
Newcastle
(1978)
50 min | Drama
Frustrated by students she perceives as provincial and unwilling to marry her wealthy suitor, George Jenkins, Miss Brodie seeks an appointment at the elite Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh.
Director: Tina Wakerell | Stars: Geraldine McEwan, Ann Mitchell, Robert Urquhart, John Castle
Votes: 10
11. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)
TV-14 | 105 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.
Stars: Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinsen, Skitch Henderson
Votes: 4,242
12.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Coming Apart
(1976)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
When Buddy gets a part-time job at a bakery, Willie is smitten with the owner, Big Al. Meanwhile, Nancy finds herself in a romantic triangle between Peter, her former college professor, and ex-husband Jeff, anxious for a reconciliation.
Director: John Erman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 50
13.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Letting Go
(1980)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
With Buddy departing soon for college, Doug has difficulty letting go, while she secretly fears leaving.
Director: James Broderick | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 36
14.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Gifts
(1978)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Disturbed by all the holiday cheer, a lonely and bereft Annie decides to run away.
Director: Philip Leacock | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 30
15.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Skeleton in the Closet
(1976)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Doug must face his sister Emily's alcoholism. Buddy tries to help a senior citizen she spots shoplifting food from the supermarket.
Director: John Erman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 52
16.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Monday Is Forever
(1976)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
The family is stressed out and Kate is nervous as she must continue to wait for news from the doctor on Monday, whether or not she has cancer. Buddy may lose her friend Laura, whose family may have to move to Detroit.
Director: Glenn Jordan | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Elayne Heilveil, Gary Frank
Votes: 72
17.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Point of Departure
(1976)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
During a string of burglaries that sweeps through the neighborhood and tests the family, Doug resents Willie's attitude towards life and work.
Director: John Erman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Elayne Heilveil, Gary Frank
Votes: 44
18.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
When the Bough Breaks
(1980)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Kate's unplanned pregnancy is a source of conflict and embarrassment in the family. Buddy's friend Erica wants to lose her virginity and selects Willie as her partner.
Director: Gwen Arner | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 46
19.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Hard Times
(1980)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy's interference in the relationship of two close friends backfires. Nancy experiences difficulty juggling a career and being a good parent.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 33
20.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
A Special Kind of Loving
(1976)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Willie meets Salina McGee and falls in love, leading to Buddy's jealousy, who needs him to help her overcome her fear of diving.
Director: Randal Kleiser | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Elayne Heilveil, Gary Frank
Votes: 57
21.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Annie Laurie
(1977)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
While working on an important patent case, Doug meets formidable attorney Annie Laurie, who is interested in more than his briefs.
Director: Alf Kjellin | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 40
22.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Coming of Age
(1976)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Buddy begins puberty. Nancy finds herself torn between Peter's proposal and her attraction to a stranger.
Director: John Erman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 53
23.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Prelude
(1979)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy's crush on her swimming coach leads to problems with Zack. Kate considers contacting a former flame.
Director: Philip Leacock | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 28
24.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Sleeping Over
(1979)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy's invitation to a sorority becomes a sore point in her friendship with Audrey when Audrey isn't invited to join. Willie sleeps with Kate's musician friend, leading to a serious mother-son rift over casual sex.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 37
25.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Exits and Entrances
(1979)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Kate's friend, a professional actress, pushes Buddy to replace an ingénue in her play. Annie accepts a part-time job selling disco lessons to fund a new bike she wants to buy.
Director: Gwen Arner | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 37
26.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Generations
(1978)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
The family decides to spend Thanksgiving at Hattie's farm, where Kate faces ghosts from the past and Buddy is intrigued by a local boy.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 37
27.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Jack of Hearts
(1980)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Just as Nancy and Buddy finally affect a closer sister relationship, Buddy develops a crush on her jogging partner Jack and later discovers that he and Nancy have been intimate.
Director: Edward Parone | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 35
28.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Whispers
(1980)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy's friendship with a teacher leads to whispers at school and a valuable lesson for Buddy about good people doing bad things. Meanwhile, Annie will do anything to persuade Willie to grant her an interview for her school newspaper.
Director: Marshall Herskovitz | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 26
29.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Just Like Old Times
(1980)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy pretends that her college applications were rejected, but her real issue is being Willie Lawrence's little sister. Doug attempts to share his passion for baseball with Annie.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 28
30.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...
(1977)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Kate intercedes for Elaine and the young woman she gave up for adoption before marrying Fred. Willie wonders about the private life of a beautiful client at the photo studio.
Director: Robert Hartford-Davis | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 47
31.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
The Friend's Affair
(1979)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Doug and Kate draw battle lines when Doug lies for a friend who's having an extramarital affair. Annie spies on a neighbor and believes he might have murdered his wife, as in the film Rear Window.
Director: Philip Leacock | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 42
32.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Thursday's Child
(1976)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
The family relives painful memories of Timmy Sr.'s death as Timmy Jr.'s christening approaches.
Director: Glenn Jordan | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Elayne Heilveil, Gary Frank
Votes: 53
33.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
'Tis the Season
(1979)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Doug sees a specialist after having chest pains, but an argument erupts between him and Willie about him and Rachel going to Mexico. Meanwhile, Buddy invites the school janitor home for Christmas, much to the reluctance of Kate.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 30
34.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
All for Love
(1978)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy's boyfriend Zack pressures her to have sex, and she contemplates sleeping with him to keep him from turning to a pretty rival. Doug considers buying a sports car.
Director: Kim Friedman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 32
35.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Moment of Truth
(1979)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Audrey and Buddy are accused of cheating on an algebra test. The family is threatened by Bob Gantry, a criminal Doug sent to prison years ago.
Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 29
36.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
On the First Day of Christmas
(1976)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Doug and his father are at odds when James introduces the family to his younger fiancée Constance, a woman with a lurid past. Jeff angers Nancy by insisting that Timmy accompany him on a Christmas cruise.
Director: Gerald S. O'Loughlin | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 45
37.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Sleeping Gypsy
(1978)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy's friend Mara, the daughter of Kate's old friends, makes Buddy's life difficult at school with her unconventional personality.
Director: Stuart Millar | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 92
38.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
An Apple for the Teacher
(1979)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Just as she begins teaching, Kate's challenged by trouble-making student Phillip Ogden. Annie loses Buddy's lucky ring.
Director: Kim Friedman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 32
39.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
An Eye to the Future
(1977)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Kate ponders going to college, Doug has a shot at the bench, and Buddy becomes part of the CB radio craze.
Director: Glenn Jordan | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 51
40.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Return Engagement
(1977)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Maggie Calder, the woman who nearly destroyed Doug and Kate's marriage 20 years ago, is back for a second attempt. Buddy feels she's being treated like a baby.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 49
41.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
The Competition
(1979)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy learns the price of competition when an overachieving classmate commits suicide after losing a history competition to her. Annie's cookie-selling strategy is a riot.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 33
42.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Labors of Love
(1977)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Feeling neglected by T.J., Buddy attempts to make him jealous by exploiting the feelings of another classmate. Willie suspects his new job at an ad agency was earned because the boss finds him attractive.
Director: Harvey S. Laidman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 33
43.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Starting Over
(1978)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
The Lawrences adjust to an addition to the family when 11-year-old Annie Cooper comes to live with them after the deaths of her parents, friends of Kate and Doug.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 32
44.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
The First Time
(1977)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Kate experiences the blues as she approaches her last birthday before the golden years. Buddy must decide whether or not to accept T.J.'s offer to go steady.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 31
45.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Daylight Serenade
(1980)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Buddy criticizes Kate's nerdy piano student but later views him in a different light. Nancy needs Annie to teach her how to roller skate in order to impress a handsome colleague.
Director: Edward Parone | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 32
46.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
The Cradle Will Fall
(1976)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
The family is drawn into a custody battle between Salina and her daughter's married father. Kate accidentally discovers that Elaine's husband Fred is being unfaithful.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 49
47. Kraft Theatre (1947–1958)
60 min | Drama
A well-received anthology series presenting live television dramas.
Stars: Ed Herlihy, Vaughn Taylor, Valerie Cossart, Dan Morgan
Votes: 222
48.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
A Friend of the Family's
(1978)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Seth Oliver, a former friend of Willie, pays a visit and manipulates the family. Doug and Kate debate taking separate vacations.
Director: Kim Friedman | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 36
49.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Counterpoint
(1978)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Kate clashes with her elitist music professor who dismisses her as a bored housewife. Doug faces his own mortality when a colleague collapses from a sudden heart attack.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 38
50.
Family (1976–1980)
Episode:
Princess in the Tower
(1978)
TV-PG | Drama, Family
Trapped overnight in a high-rise condo with a young pregnant woman, Kate is forced to help when the stranger goes into labor.
Director: Richard Kinon | Stars: Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol
Votes: 34