A Different Approach
| A Different Approach | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Fern Field |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Jim Belcher |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Marvin Laird |
Running time | 21 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Different Approach is a 1978 film starring Michael Keaton. The film is about An all-star educational film about the positive side of hiring people with disabilities. A committee of government representatives sits and watch the film Michael Keaton's character's assembled to sell companies on hiring the handicapped, which takes "a different approach" by combining several approaches—most of them suggested by Hollywood personalities.
Keaton's 'approach' is over the top as he tries every idea possible to promote hiring the 'handicapped' as was said at the time.
Segments include a Busby Berkeley-style dance number featuring people in wheelchairs while deaf people sign the song lyrics, a phony TV commercial in which comedian Carl Ballantine touts handicapped workers as if he were a hard-sell used car salesman, and several more. One of the committee members is played by All in the Family creator Norman Lear, affecting a heavy German accent. His character makes offhand remarks which imply that he is a former Nazi technocrat brought over after the war. The timid chairman of the committee is played by Sorrell Booke, "Boss Hogg" of the original "Dukes of Hazzard" television series. (No references available: description in this paragraph from first-hand viewing of the film twice at showings sponsored by government and corporate HR departments in the San Francisco Bay Area around 1979 and 1980.)
There are numerous cameos throughout the film, many by Lear's sitcom stars of the day, including Ed Asner, Betty White, Carroll O'Connor, Sally Struthers, Jim Nabors, Charlotte Rae, Rue McClanahan, as well as Stockard Channing, Melissa Sue Anderson and Lucie Arnaz.
This is believed to be the first onscreen appearance of Keaton, who at that time was a comedian. His dialog is spoken rather rapidly, perhaps a technique used in his comedy routines.
The film was shot at various locations around Los Angeles, including a BMW dealership (now gone) and the twin towers in Century City.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.