mother's constant hectoring, he was able to stay dry that night. Arnold is proud even as Alice keeps badgering while they talk. He finally stands up to her, ordering her to shut up. He sheepishly admits that he was a bedwetter himself until he was 14. John empathetically forgives his father's secret shame. They go outside to wait until the store opens, as Arnold intends to buy John any new bed he wants immediately. John goes to track practice after school, where Nancy agrees to wait to walk home with him afterward. Back in the present, the interviewer asks John the question of what interested him in running. He credits his parents. Creation of film Michael Landon was the real-life version of the loneliest runner. As a child, he wet his bed until he was 14 and his mother, Peggy O'Neill, really did hang his sheets to dry outside of his bedroom window as punishment. The dysfunctional family life that Landon experienced during his early life were also similar to the ones in this autobiographical film. The character of John Curtis is modeled after Landon, as are his parents and other supporting characters. He reused actor Walker Edmiston of Bonanza to play Doctor Claymore (who coincidentally later took two jobs on Little House guest starring as different Doctors in seasons five and nine, as well as an appearance in season three). Landon also asked his on-screen daughter, Melissa Sue Anderson to play Nancy Rizzi, saying the part was perfect for her. Melissa says she was both honored and thrilled to have been included. Prior to acting, Landon also had Olympic ambitions as a javelin thrower. Due to an injury in his shoulder ligaments during college, Landon was unable to pursue a career in sports and started acting, which eventually led to three very successful television series, in addition to other acting, directing, and writing jobs on other shows. Cast Lance Kerwin as John Curtis Brian Keith as Arnold Curtis DeAnn Mears as Alice Curtis Melissa Sue Anderson as Nancy Rizzi Rafer Johnson as himself Michael Landon as the adult John Curtis Randy Faustino as Tony, John's friend and teammate Dermott Downs as Donnie, John's friend and teammate Walker Edmiston as Doctor Claymore Herb Vigran as the Security Guard Clifford A. Pellow as George Sanders Bing Russell as Fred Dawkins Robert Hackman as Mr. Rizzi Barbara Collentine as Miss King References