July 30th Events & Coupons

Auctions, Pop Ups and Marketplaces See All

Netflix Bites MGM Grand Las Vegas
Pop Ups and Vendor Markets | Feb 11, 2025 - Feb 20, 2026
United States > Nevada > Las Vegas > > 89109

Conventions, Live Shows and Fairs See All

Warriors Album Silent Disco Listening Party with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis
Parties | Jul 30, 2025
United States > New York > New York City > > 10023
Hall of Excellence Rare Sports Memorabilia Exhibition at Fontainebleau
Memorabilia Exhibition | Jun 20 - Dec 31, 2025
United States > Nevada > Las Vegas > > 89109

Coupons & Sales See All

Show and Movie Releases See All

Together
U.S. Theatrical Releases | Jul 30, 2025

Social and Cultural Events See All

National Cheesecake Day
Social and Cultural Events | Jul 30
Make Music New York, World Music Day
Social and Cultural Events | Jun 21 - Dec 21

July 30th In History

Contests and Giveaways See All

Ladies of STK DJ Tour
Contests | Jul 20 - Aug 26, 2023
United States > New York > New York City > > 10014

Firsts, Starts and Openings See All

Black Snow Debuts on AMC Television
Season 1 Premiere | Jul 30, 2023
First-ever Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival
Art Exhibitions | May 20 - Dec 31, 2023
Hong Kong > > Sai Wan Ho

Interviews See All

Bobi Wine Making Live Appearance During Bobi Wine: The People's President Screening Series
Film Screenings and Series | Jul 28 - Aug 5, 2023
United States > New York > New York City > > 10014

Milestones See All

Narratives See All

Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Launches and Openings | Jul 30, 1999 - Mar 16, 2002
United States > Florida > Bay Lake > > 32830

Product Releases See All

Show and Movie Releases See All

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1
U.S. Theatrical Releases | Jun 28 - Aug 16, 2024

Dystopian Film The Lathe of Heaven Premieres in 1980, Becoming First TV Movie on PBS | Jan 9, 1980

Dystopian Film The Lathe of Heaven Premieres in 1980, Becoming First TV Movie on PBS

Firsts, Starts and Openings, Milestones, Television/Streaming Premiere | Jan 9, 1980

PBS, WNET

On this day in 1980, the dystopian sci-fi TV movie The Lathe of Heaven premiered on PBS television, co-directed by Fred Barzyk and David R. Loxton. The film stars Bruce Davison as George Orr, Peyton E. Park as Mannie Ahrens, Niki Flacks as Penny Crouch, Kevin Conway as Dr. William Haber, Vandi Clark as Aunt Ethel, Margaret Avery as Heather Lelache, along with Ben McKinley III, R.A. Mihailoff, Jo Livingston, Jane Roberts, Tom Matts, Gena Sleete, Joye Nash, Frank Miller and Bernedette Whitehead.

Upon the movie’s premiere, it becomes the first Made for TV Movie to be ever screen on PBS. It was produced in 1979 as part of New York City public television station WNET’s Experimental TV Lab project. The Lathe of Heaven became one of the two highest-rated shows that season on PBS and went on the be nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. The screenplay was nominated for a Writers Guild Award for writers Roger Swaybill and Diane English.

Based on the dystopian novel by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Lathe of Heaven takes place in a highly controlled and overpopulated society. The TV movie centers on a man who has terrifying dreams that affect reality, who is assigned a psychiatrist that takes advantage of the situation.

In a near future Portland, Oregon, George Orr (Bruce Davison) is charged with abuse of multiple prescription medications, which he was taking to keep himself from dreaming. Orr volunteers for psychiatric care to avoid prosecution, and is assigned to the care of licensed oneirologist William Haber (Kevin Conway). Orr’s explanation of his drug abuse is incredible – He has known since age 17 that his dreams change reality, and tries to prevent himself from this “effective dreaming” because he fears their effects.

Haber begins to use Orr’s dreams, first to create a prestigious, well-funded institute run by himself, then to attempt to solve various social issues. These solutions unravel quickly: Haber suggests that Orr dream of an answer to overpopulation, which results in a plague wiping out three-fourths of the human population; the end to all conflict on Earth, resulting in an alien invasion uniting mankind; and an end to racism, resulting in a world where everyone’s skin is a uniform shade of gray.

Orr turns to lawyer Heather LeLache (Margaret Avery) for help in getting out of his government-mandated treatments with Haber. LeLache doubts Orr’s sanity, but agrees to help him, eventually becoming an ally and falling in love with the patient.

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