CBS SUNDAY NIGHT MOVIES: NOBODY'S CHILD (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television drama is based on the true story of a woman who struggles to overcome mental illness. Marie Balter has been institutionalized on and off since her first suicide attempt at age sixteen. By 1964, Marie is so heavily medicated that she becomes a complete invalid. However, a sympathetic psychiatrist realizes that much of Marie's illness is caused by the maltreatment she has received at the hospital, and changes Marie's heavy medication in an effort to save her. By 1965, Marie's condition has improved, and she even begins working around the hospital. By the next year, she has left the hospital and has moved in with a family, and has begun the process of readjusting and living independently. Marie continues to progress rapidly, developing friendships and a romance, and she accomplishes all the goals she has set for herself. As she becomes more stable, Marie begins to think about those who supported her in her recovery and decides to help other mentally ill people. In spite of an unexpected personal tragedy, Marie Balter goes on to earn a graduate degree and becomes the director of a program for the mentally ill. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: April 6, 1986 Sunday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:34:37
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T87:0156
- GENRE: Docudrama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Docudrama; Mental illness - Drama; She Made It Collection (Lee Grant); She Made It Collection (Marlo Thomas)
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1971-1972, 1986-1987
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Dyson Lovell … Executive Producer
- Joseph Feury … Producer
- Milton Justice … Co-Producer
- Lee Grant … Director
- Mary Gallagher … Writer
- Ara Watson … Writer
- Michael Small … Music by
- Marlo Thomas … Cast, Marie Balter
- Ray Baker … Cast, Joe Balter
- Caroline Cava … Cast, Dr. Blackwell
- Kathy Baker … Cast, Lucy Stavros
- Anna Maria Horsford … Cast, Nurse Betty
- Madeleine Sherwood … Cast, Nurse Rhonda
- Jackson Davies … Cast, Bob Stavros
- Michael Higgins … Cast, Dr. Walker
- Blanche Baker … Cast, Shari
- Vanessa Santos … Cast, Little Marie
- Donna Ford … Cast, Marie at 16
- William Nunn … Cast, Pa
- Stefania DeStefanis … Cast, Ma Bartello
- Karen Austen … Cast, the Natural Mother
- Garwin Sanford … Cast, Dr. Pitteo
- Joseph Golland … Cast, Dr. Potts
- Sheila Moore … Cast, Dr. Sara Steppe
- Anthony Holland … Cast, Dr. Burt
- Don Mackay … Cast, Mr. Baldanza
- Campbell Lane … Cast, Mr. Edmon
- Joy Ooghill … Cast, Patient #1
- Susan Williamson … Cast, Patient #2
- Nancy Beatty … Cast, Lee
- Sandra Seacat … Cast, Barbara
- William Taylor … Cast, the Attendant
- Todd Duckworth … Cast, Alan
- Lucinda Nielsen … Cast, Girl Student #1
- Carla Marsotis … Cast, Girl Student #2
- Tom Heaton … Cast, Jim
- Betty Phillips … Cast, Mother Superior
- Scott David Patko … Cast, 6-year-old Jimmy
- Donna Cox … Cast, Photo Double