- Based on the book by famed author John Gunther about the life and early death of his teenage son Johnny, who died from a brain tumor.
- John Gunther, a well-known author, travels to Deerfield Academy in 1946 to visit his teenage son Johnny. On the way in, he stops to watch hockey practice and chat with the headmaster. Johnny leaves practice long enough to greet his father, then rushes back to the dormitory. Father and son go out to dinner and try to make up for lost time. John is frequently away and feels guilty for not spending more time with Johnny, who is an outgoing, friendly boy. He is a good student, especially in chemistry, but has difficulty organizing his time.
Some time later, John is at home in New York City when he receives a phone call from the school physician. Johnny is in the infirmary and the doctor thinks he has a brain tumor. John and his ex-wife Frances leave at once for Deerfield, stopping on the way to pick up Dr. Tracy Putnam, a neurologist. It is late at night when they arrive. Johnny has not been told anything and tries to make light of the situation. But he is obviously frightened. After examining him, Dr. Putnam orders that he be taken by ambulance to a hospital in New York.
While waiting for a diagnosis, John immerses himself in research on brain tumors. His relationship with Frances is very strained, although they manage to pull together for Johnny's sake. After surgery, it is revealed that Johnny's tumor is a glioma blastoma multiforme. Dr. Putnam got all he could but he could not entirely remove the tumor. The only treatment is radiation. John and Frances begin a search for alternative treatments.
Johnny is upset because he cannot return to school. He is self-conscious about his appearance, since his head is shaved and he must wear a turban-like bandage. His parents tell him that he has a brain tumor but not of the grim prognosis.
The Gunthers spend the summer at their beach house in Connecticut. Johnny sets up a chemistry lab and works on experiments. His parents give a party to which many young people are invited, including his friend Mary. Johnny wistfully watches from the sidelines as Mary dances.
Among the alternative treatments pursued by John and Frances is mustard gas, which is supposed to be effective on brain tumors. The first treatment made Johnny so ill that he is hospitalized for the second one.
Johnny is dismayed to learn that his next alternative treatment is the Gerson diet, which is strictly vegetarian. His doctors argue that the diet will not work but the tumor is growing back. Dr. Putnam wants to operate again. Before he can do so, the tumor begins to drain and seems to disappear altogether. Johnny's condition drastically improves and his parents are overjoyed. For a while he enjoys a more normal life. He and Mary go sailing and later she spends Christmas Eve with him in his parents' apartment.
Even though Johnny is missing his senior year of prep school, he insists on taking the entrance exams for Harvard. But then his tumor begins to grow again. Dr. Putnam operates but the tumor is spreading rapidly. Nothing more can be done. John and Frances thank him for all he has done for Johnny. The Gerson diet is abandoned and Johnny can eat anything he wants to.
He and Mary exchange graduation gifts and share their first kiss.
The Deerfield headmaster calls with an invitation for Johnny to attend graduation and receive a diploma. By this time he has difficulty walking. The family travels to Deerfield for the ceremony. When Johnny's name is called, a wave of applause sweeps the auditorium and continues during his walk down the aisle. He is also given a standing ovation.
Back in New York, Frances takes a brief vacation. Johnny is unusually affectionate around his father, as if he knows the end is not far off. After Frances returns, the family spend a happy evening together. In a voice-over, John explains that his son died on June 30, 1947.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content