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Family Ties
S3.E16
All episodesAll
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IMDbPro

Philadelphia Story

  • Episode aired Jan 17, 1985
  • TV-PG
  • 24m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
157
YOUR RATING
Michael J. Fox in Family Ties (1982)
ComedyDramaFamily

Alex has a cold, but insists on working all night on his term paper on the Declaration of Independence - which he had used as an example to encourage his dad Steven, who out of inexperience ... Read allAlex has a cold, but insists on working all night on his term paper on the Declaration of Independence - which he had used as an example to encourage his dad Steven, who out of inexperience has declined an invitation to testify before Congress in Washington on the funding of PBS.... Read allAlex has a cold, but insists on working all night on his term paper on the Declaration of Independence - which he had used as an example to encourage his dad Steven, who out of inexperience has declined an invitation to testify before Congress in Washington on the funding of PBS. Alex 'wakes up' in a dream as a Philadelphia stable boy, with his uninterested mate 'Skip... Read all

  • Director
    • Will Mackenzie
  • Writers
    • Gary David Goldberg
    • Michael J. Weithorn
  • Stars
    • Meredith Baxter
    • Michael Gross
    • Michael J. Fox
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    157
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Will Mackenzie
    • Writers
      • Gary David Goldberg
      • Michael J. Weithorn
    • Stars
      • Meredith Baxter
      • Michael Gross
      • Michael J. Fox
    • 1User review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    It Happened
    Video 2:24
    It Happened

    Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast8

    Edit
    Meredith Baxter
    Meredith Baxter
    • Elyse Keaton…
    Michael Gross
    Michael Gross
    • Steven Keaton…
    Michael J. Fox
    Michael J. Fox
    • Alex P. Keaton
    Justine Bateman
    Justine Bateman
    • Mallory Keaton…
    Tina Yothers
    Tina Yothers
    • Jennifer Keaton…
    Marc Price
    Marc Price
    • Irwin 'Skippy' Handelman…
    Ben Piazza
    Ben Piazza
    • Ed Nelson…
    James Cromwell
    James Cromwell
    • John Hancock
    • Director
      • Will Mackenzie
    • Writers
      • Gary David Goldberg
      • Michael J. Weithorn
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.3157
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    Featured reviews

    10vilzvet

    Back to the Past

    This one is without a doubt in my personal Top 10 of Family Ties episodes, not sure why it is not placed higher in the ratings. Just so cool to go back in time to 1776 as Alex witnesses the writing of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson a/k/a Steven Keaton. Really had some hilarious lines, excellent guest actors and that dramatic moment at the end when Alex and Steven locked eyes back in the future.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While taping this episode (which involves Alex traveling back in time via a dream) Michael J Fox was offered the chance to replace Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly in Back To The Future.
    • Goofs
      Skippy gives the date as July 3rd, 1776 and Steven's Thomas Jefferson has not even started the Declaration of Independence yet: however, the final U.S. Declaration of Independence (with minor revisions) was written on July 2nd, 1776.
    • Quotes

      Alex P. Keaton: Uh, Skippy, w- what date is it?

      Irwin 'Skippy' Handelman: It's July 3rd.

      Alex P. Keaton: July 3rd, what?

      Irwin 'Skippy' Handelman: It's July 3rd, sir.

      Alex P. Keaton: No, Skippy, wha...? What year is it? Skip...

      Irwin 'Skippy' Handelman: Oh. It's 1776.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Family Ties: Paper Chase (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Without Us
      (Theme song)

      Lyrics by Jeff Barry

      Music by Tom Scott

      Performed by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 17, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Ubu Productions
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      24 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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