The Emmett Smith Story (1979)

The Emmett Smith Story

1979

Synopsis

Emmett Smith, a competitive runner and high school track coach at Cortez High School in Phoenix, Arizona, is left without a sense of balance after a brain tumor is removed. He is told that he will never run again, but undaunted, he sets and meets a goal of not only regaining the ability to run, but to run 20 consecutive miles before a year has elapsed. Wheelchair-bound Cindy Duncan's determination gets her admitted to Apollo High School in Glendale, Arizona after she demonstrates that she will not need special attention. Coach Smith (now at Apollo) challenges her to meet the goal of recovering from her injuries (from being hit by a car) to the extent of being able to walk to the podium at graduation to receive her diploma. He bets that she can do it, and will have to wheel himself in her wheelchair the entire three miles to Cortez H.S. if she succeeds.

Credits

Director

Douglas G. Johnson

Cast

Burke Rhind as Mr. Duncan

Carol Kane as Miss Kurtz

Daryle Ann Lindley as Mrs. Smith

Dick Alexander as Bus Driver

Jane Milmore as Cindy Duncan

Melva Blancett as School Nurse

Michael LaGuardia as Emmett Smith

Thomas Boore as Principal