Can You Hear the Laughter? The Story of Freddie Prinze

Can You Hear the Laughter? The Story of Freddie Prinze is a 1979 American made-for-television biographical drama film of the life of stand-up comedian and actor Freddie Prinze (portrayed by Ira Angustain).^[1] The teleplay by Dalene Young is based on a Playboy magazine article entitled "Good Night Sweet Prinze" by Peter S. Greenberg. The film was made without the cooperation of Prinze's mother or widow.^[2]

Can You Hear the Laughter? The Story of Freddie Prinze
Genre	Drama
Based on	"Good Night Sweet Prinze" by Peter S. Greenberg
Written by	Dalene Young
Directed by	Burt Brinckerhoff
Starring	Ira Angustain Kevin Hooks Randee Heller Julie Carmen
Music by	Peter Matz
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Roger Gimbel Tony Converse
Producer	Peter S. Greenberg
Cinematography	Robert Caramico
Editor	Aaron Stell
Running time	100 minutes
Production companies	EMI Television Roger Gimbel Productions
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	September 11, 1979 (1979-09-11)

Plot

At 19, Freddie Prinze (Ira Angustain) exploded on the entertainment scene. With the help of his friend, comedian David Brenner (Ken Sylk), Freddie's career catapulted from second-rate clubs in Manhattan to a prime time stardom on the 1970s television sitcom Chico and the Man as well as sell-out crowds in Las Vegas.

Although Freddie had fame, fortune, women, the leap into overnight stardom also brought with it a new set of problems. Freddie looked for love and approval in any way he could, but happiness and satisfaction eluded him. Finding no one to understand him, he turned inward and deeper into drugs.

Cast

• Ira Angustain as Freddie Prinze
• Kevin Hooks as Nat Blake
• Randee Heller as Carol
• Julie Carmen as Rose
• Ken Sylk as David Brenner
• Devon Ericson as Kathy
• Stephen Elliott as Jonas
• James Callahan as Producer
• Mike Binder as Alan Bursky
• Annette Charles as Billy

Production

The budget was $1.3 million.^[3]