 STAFF Directed and Written by John Gray Produced by Tony Mark and Sue Jett Music by Joel Rosenbaum CAST Karl Malden .... Jack Galvin Lenny Von Dohlen .... Billy Galvin Joyce Van Patten .... Mae Toni Kalem .... Nora Keith Szarabajka .... Donny Alan North .... George 
Jack Galvin (Karl Malden) is a tough construction worker who dreamed of being an architect but woke up to a life as a laborer. Jack wants his son, Billy (Lenny Von Dohlen) to live his dreams. But Billy rejects college and wants nothing more out of life than to be a successful construction worker like his father. Jack does everything in his power to thwart Billy's decision. Billy is blackballed from the union and is forced to confront his father - exposing fragile emotions that neither father nor son know how to interpret."Billy Galvin" ...a touching portrayal of a son bridging the gap between himself and his father. - from VHS cover
It sounds like a very serious story, but, actually, it isn't. Though the gap between father and son described in the film is very typical and the story is rather plain, I like the film as a kind of heartwarming comedy. Karl Malden, who played a lovable father who likes to watch the Sesami Street, is great. His role could have been played by other actors like E.G. Marshall or Ernest Borgnine, but in this film Karl Malden played the stubborn father with a kind of elegance and dignity. And Lenny....should I say anything? He played very sensitive but a little childish Billy Galvin. You should love this guy because Lenny in such a role is so convincing. You can see him dressed as a gloom at the end of this film! (And you can also see him running into town only in his underwear....) 
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