Uncle Joe Shannon

Joe Shannon (Burt Young) is a talented trumpet player who descends into suicidal behavior after his son and wife die in a fire. Living in a dingy hotel operated by the sardonic Marvin (Martin Beck) and given emotional support by his concerned friend, Margaret (Madge Sinclair), Joe is just getting by from day to day with little to keep him going. However, when Joe meets young Robbie (Doug McKeon), an endearing boy afflicted with cancer, the veteran musician attempts to pull himself together.