Dreamer movie storyline. A young man dreams and struggles to become a championship bowler, knowing that determination and sacrifice must come first. Tim Matheson is the Dreamer in this story which many saw as heavily inspired by Rocky. “Dreamer” is a ten-pin whiz in his small town of Alton, Illinois, but wants to make it in the big time on the professional tour.
Ultimately, he does, with the help of irascible manager Harry (Jack Warden) and faithful girlfriend Karen (Susan Blakely). As if to underline the resemblances between Dreamer and its cinematic role model, the musical score is by Rocky’s Bill Conti. Bowling legend Dick Weber appears at the movie’s beginning and end as Johnny Watkin.
Dreamer is a 1979 American sports film directed by Noel Nosseck, written by Larry Bischof and James Proctor, and starring Tim Matheson, Susan Blakely and Jack Warden. It was released theatrically on April 27, 1979, and was released by 20th Century Fox through Magnetic Video on home video.
Producer Mike Lobell felt there would be an audience for a film about ten pin bowling, considering the popularity of the sport. He raised finance from 20th Century Fox. Tim Matheson had not bowled since the age of 10 when he got the starring role. To prepare for his part he spent four to six hours a day for two weeks bowling with Dick Weber’s son Rich and also studied videotapes of top bowlers such as Mark Roth, Earl Anthony and Marshall Holman.
Principal photography took place in Alton, Illinois and St. Louis from July 31 to September 12, 1978. The picture’s production budget was reported at $2.9 million plus $3.54 million for marketing.
Dreamer (1979)
Directed by: Noel Nosseck
Starring: Tim Matheson, Susan Blakely, Jack Warden, Richard B. Shull, Barbara Stuart, Owen Bush, John Crawford, Marya Small, Matt Clark, Morgan Farley, Speedy Zapata, JoBe Cerny
Screenplay by: James Proctor, Larry Bischof
Production Design by:
Cinematography by: Bruce Surtees
Film Editing by: Fred A. Chulack
Costume Design by: Guy C. Verhille
Set Decoration by: Bruce Kay
Art Direction by: Archie Sharp
Music by: Bill Conti
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: April 27, 1979
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