ABC AFTERSCHOOL SPECIALS: SHE DRINKS A LITTLE {TENTH SEASON PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas intended for young audiences. In this drama, pretty, sixteen-year-old Cindy Stott appears to have everything going for her -- and to her elation, she has just gotten the lead in the school play. But Cindy has a little secret: her mother drinks too much. A model student at school, Cindy must then assume the adult parental role at home -- writing the utility checks, preparing dinner for her little brother Brett, and nursing her mother Marion when she is feeling "ill." Cindy is constantly covering for Marion in public, but her mother -- an unfulfilled former dancer who was left by her husband -- is becoming increasingly erratic, and her behavior is no longer contained within the home. Marion gets drunk at a teachers' open house and becomes violent with Cindy when she tries to escort her out; and later, when Cindy brings her new boyfriend Mitch to the house, they find Marion passed-out on the living room floor. However, when Mitch reveals that his parents are alcoholics and suggests that Cindy come with him to an Alateen meeting, Cindy is at first resistant to the idea, and insists that her mother is not an alcoholic. But when her mother's attempt to go sober fails and Marion turns Cindy's triumphant opening night in the school play into a horrifying spectacle, Cindy realizes she must take the first step. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 23, 1981 Wednesday 4:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:47:50
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:04089
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Alcoholism; Teenagers
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1972-1997
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Martin Tahse … Producer
- Fred W. Bennett … Associate Producer
- Arthur Allan Seidelman … Director
- Paul W. Cooper … Writer
- Anne Snyder … Based on the book by
- Glenn Paxton … Music by
- Amanda Wyss … Cast, Cindy Stott
- Bonnie Bartlett … Cast, Marion Stott
- Michael Le Clair … Cast, Mitch Stevens
- Peg Stewart … Cast, Esther Sharrigan
- Anna Garduno … Cast, Sherrie Bergman
- Elliot Jaffe … Cast, Brett Stott
- Kathryn Greer … Cast, Janelle Andrews
- Vanda Barra … Cast, Mrs. Bergman
- Jack Manning … Cast, Mr. Sharrigan
- Seamus P.J. Fogerty … Cast, Himself
- Marc Copage … Cast, Student
- William James Madden … Cast
- Ron Asher … Cast
- Julie Dolan … Cast