1987

 

The Beginning of an Extraordinary Journey

In 1987, "Family Portraits" was created by Focus on the Family as a test series to see if radio drama would catch on as a form of entertainment. This was the beginnings of the popular show, Adventures in Odyssey. "Family Portraits" provided a family-oriented alternative to questionable media on television.

 

FP #1 Whit's Visitor

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Original Air Date: 1/05/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designers: Steve Harris, Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Malachi 2:13-17

Theme: Divorce


Preview:

 

Summary:

When a boy named Davey Morrison shows up at John Avery Whittaker's door, Whit becomes curious and learns about a family situation at the child's home.


Our Rating:

Fan Reviews

 

Included in Collections:

Family Portraits (Special)

Just in Time (#9)

 

 

 

FP #2 Dental Dilemma

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Original Air Date: 1/12/87
Writer: Susan McBride

Directors: Chuck Bolte, Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Psalm 27:1

Theme: Teasing, dealing with fear


Summary:

A boy plants fear in the heart of his younger sister as she anticipates her first major dental appointment. Unfortunately for him, his plans backfire.


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Included in Collections:

Family Portraits (Special)

The Lost Episodes

 

 

 

FP #3 The New Kid in Town

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Original Air Date: 1/19/87
Writer: Phil Lollar

Directors: Chuck Bolte, Steve Harris
Sound Designers: Steve Harris, Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Theme: Making new friends


Summary:

Shawn walk needs some help, so Whit decides to dress up as a man in need. By doing this, Whit is helping Shawn to realize that he needs help and needs to stop holding back.

 

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Included in Collection:

Family Portraits (Special)

 


 

FP #4 No Stupid Questions

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Original Air Date: 1/26/87
Writer: Susan McBride

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Proverbs 18:15

Theme: Respect for the handicapped, the value of seeking knowledge


Summary:

Many people don't want to be bothered with a youngster's constant stream of stupid questions. But some do. Whit makes a perfect match in this sensitive story of mutual understanding.

 

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Included in Collections:

Family Portraits (Special)

The Lost Episodes (Special)

 


 

FP #5 You're Not Gonna Believe This...

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Original Air Date: 2/02/87
Writer: Phil Lollar

Director: Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Proverbs 18:7, Proverbs 22:1

Theme: Integrity

 

Summary:

Budgie tells a lot of lies, and his cousin Jamie feels he can't trust his cousin anymore. Whit helps both Jamie and Budgie with their problems.


Preview:

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collection:

Family Portraits (Special)

 


 

FP #6 My Brother's Keeper

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Original Air Date: 2/16/87
Writer: Paul McCusker

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Proverbs 12:18

Theme: Sibling conflict


Summary:

Unfortunately, some people have to learn the hard way that they love their siblings. Phillip learns a lesson about love and patience when his brother Dean turns up missing.

 

Preview:

 

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Included in Collections:

Family Portraits (Special)

The Lost Episodes (Special)

 

 

 

FP #7 While Dad's Away

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Original Air Date: 3/02/87
Writer: Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Scripture: Malachi 4:6

Theme: Absentee fathers


Summary:

Mike learns a lesson about the importance of being a loving parent when Whit tells the story of a family whose father is away from home more than he should be.

 

Preview:

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collection:

Family Portraits (Special)

 


 

FP #8 The Letter

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Original Air Date: 3/09/87
Writer: Steve Harris

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Theme: Teen communication


Summary:

Stacy and her father are angry with one another. However, both enemies find letters to each other, telling each other how much they love each other.

 

Preview:

 

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Included in Collections:

Family Portraits (Special)

Meanwhile, In Another Part of Town (#14)

 

 

 

FP #9 A Different Kind of Peer Pressure

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Original Air Date: 3/16/87
Writer: Steve Harris

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Theme: Peer pressure


Summary:

Blair and Hudson have issues. Blair decides not to be friends with someone because they're not popular, while Hudson insults an employee at work because he isn't accepted.

 

Preview:

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collection:

Family Portraits (Special)

 


 

FP #10 In Memory of Herman

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Original Air Date: 3/23/87
Writer: Phil Lollar

Director: Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-2

Theme: Salvation


Summary:

When the Hardwick family's pet turtle dies, they must learn how to deal with the death of a loved one, even if it is just a pet.

 

Preview:

 

Our Rating:

Fan Reviews

 

Included in Collection:

Family Portraits (Special)

 


 

FP #11 A Member of the Family I

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Original Air Date: 3/30/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Susan McBride

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 3:11-12, Ephesians 6:4

Theme: Discipline, family conflict


Summary:

When Whit's grandson Monty arrives for a summer in Odyssey, the family finds they are in for more trouble—and more healing—than they expected.

 

Preview:

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collections:

Family Portraits (Special)

The Adventure Begins (#1)

 


 

FP 12 A Member of the Family II

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Original Air Date: 4/06/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Susan McBride

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 3:11-12, Ephesians 6:4

Theme: Discipline, family conflict


Summary:

When Whit's grandson Monty arrives for a summer in Odyssey, the family finds they are in for more trouble—and more healing—than they expected.

 

Preview:

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collections:

Family Portraits (Special)

The Adventure Begins (#1)

 


 

FP #13 A Simple Addition

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Original Air Date: 4/13/87
Writer: Susan McBride

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Romans 12:10

Theme: Sibling rivalry


Summary:

Elementary-schooler Nicky is upset that his baby sister is taking his parents' attention away from him.

 

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Our Rating:

 

Included in Collection:

Family Portraits (Special)

 


 

Because of "Family Portraits'" popularity, the program went on and the name changed to "Odyssey USA."
 

OUSA #1 Whit's Flop

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Original Air Date: 11/21/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell, Steve Harris

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Theme: The importance of failure


Summary:

Davey Holcomb, a young boy with a reputation for making mistakes, learns that there's a positive side to failure.


Preview:

 

 

Our Rating:

Read Our Review

Fan Reviews

 

Included in Collections:

The Adventure Begins (#1)

Silver Celebration (Special)

 


 

OUSA #2 The Life of the Party

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Original Air Date: 11/28/87
Writer: Paul McCusker

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20

Theme: Friendship


Summary:

Craig Moorhead's friends like having him around because he makes them laugh. But then Craig faces a problem that isn't funny at all when his parents want to move.

 

Preview:

 

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collection:

The Adventure Begins (#1)

 


 

OUSA #3 Lights Out At Whit's End

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Original Air Date: 12/05/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Director: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: 1 John 1:7

Theme: Communication, fellowship


Summary:

A power failure leaves the kids at Whit's End without anything to do. That is, until Whit shows them what life was like without electricity...and how much fun it could be!

 

Preview:

 

Our Rating:

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Included in Collection:

The Officer Harley Collection (Special)

 
Available to Odyssey Adventure Club members via The Officer Harley Collection.
Odyssey Adventure Club is a monthly subscription providing access to the entire Adventures in Odyssey series.


 

OUSA #4 Connie Comes to Town

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Original Air Date: 12/12/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-12

Theme: Being content


Summary:

Even though Connie Kendall has just moved into Odyssey, she can hardly wait to go back to California…and Bobby has secretly made up his mind that he's going with her.

 

Preview:

 

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collections:

The Adventure Begins (#1)

Discovering Odyssey (Special)
Megapack (Special)

 


 

OUSA #5 Gifts for Madge and Guy

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Original Air Date: 12/19/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-20

Theme: Giving


Summary:

Mr. Whittaker tells the kids his own "fractured" version of a famous Christmas story, starring an unusual couple named Madge and Guy.

 

Preview:

 

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collections:

The Adventure Begins (#1)

Christmas Classics (Special)
Countdown to Christmas (Special)
Ultimate Christmas Collection (Special)
Encore Collection (Special)
Megapack (Special)

 


 

OUSA #6 The Day After Christmas

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Original Air Date: 12/26/87
Writer: Paul McCusker

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Theme: Caring for the poor


Summary:

The morning after Christmas, a young girl who's already bored with her presents wanders into Whit's End looking for something to do.

 

Preview:

 

 

Our Rating:

 

Included in Collections:

The Adventure Begins (#1)

A Christmas Odyssey (Special)
Countdown to Christmas (Special)
Ultimate Christmas Collection (Special)

 

 

 

 


1987


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