A Family Upside Down (1978)

This touching film stars Fred Astaire and Helen Hayes as a retired married couple. Always proud of his independence and resilience, Astaire suffers a sudden heart attack. Though he recovers, Hayes is unable to care for Astaire herself, so she and her husband are compelled to move in with son Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and daughter-in-law Pat Crowley. Astaire's heart problems persist, and the family must face the unpleasant alternative of placing him in a nursing home. Patty Duke co-stars as Astarie and Hayes' emotionally wrought daughter. Though A Family Upside Down threatens to become an uninterrupted wallow in misery, the film takes several unexpected twists and arrives at a reasonably upbeat conclusion. Produced by the legendary Ross Hunter this film is also noteworthy for bringing Fred Astaire the last of his many Emmy awards.

Fred Astaire, Helen Hays, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Patty Duke, Pat Crowley.