Highway to Heaven (1984–1989)

A probationary angel sent back to earth teams with an ex-cop to help people.

Stars:

Michael Landon, Victor French, James Troesh

Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Michael Landon	...	Jonathan Smith (111 episodes, 1984-1989)
Victor French	...	Mark Gordon (111 episodes, 1984-1989)

Storyline

Jonathan Smith is a probationary angel sent back to Earth to help people. During the series' first episode, he meets embittered ex-policeman Mark Gordon (as Jonathan is walking along a little-used road, on which Mark happens to be driving). Jonathan helps reform Mark, with the grateful Mark agreeing to become Jonathan's right-hand associate in carrying out the heavenly mission. The two begin traveling the country as itinerant workers, receiving assignments from "the Boss" (an unseen associate only Jonathan could communicate with), with their mission being to deliver love, understanding and humility to the people they encountered. Typical episodes stressed moral, Christian themes; though many episodes dealt with common human failings, such as egotism, bitterness and greed, some shows addressed such topics as racism and cancer. A few shows, however, were played mainly for laughs (such as Landon recreating his first famous starring role in a takeoff of his 1957 film I Was a Teenage ...

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Plot Keywords:

Angel | Friendship | Friendship Between Men | Tongue In Cheek | Angel On Earth | 

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Taglines:

Some powers are higher than others.

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Camino al cielo

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Michael Landon Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (111 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Victor French's final TV series. It has often been written that Michael Landon decided to end the series after French died of lung cancer. However, in actual fact it had already been agreed in June 1988 that the series would end because it was falling in the ratings.

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Quotes

Mark Gordon: Cute, Jonathan. Real cute.

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Connections

Featured in Amazing Stories: Remote Control Man (1985)
Walter watches the show when he gets home from work

User Reviews

I absolutely loved this show!

This show offered an inspirational message, and an example of morality to children, and grown-ups alike, who maybe didn't have any other good influence in their life. I believe that this show was truly inspired by God, and that in it's five years on the air, that it helped alot of people to examine themselves, and try to live better lives. Wow! What an amazing and powerful show!