Kids Don't Tell
Encyclopedia
Kids Don't Tell is a CBS
television movie about child molestation starring Michael Ontkean
and JoBeth Williams
. The docudrama, which was directed by Oscar-nominated film editor Sam O'Steen
(Chinatown, Postcards from the Edge
), was broadcast on March 5, 1985.
), filmmaker John Ryan (Michael Ontkean
) agrees to produce a documentary on the sexual abuse of children in the American status quo. However, his loving wife Claudia (JoBeth Williams
) becomes increasingly despondent and troubled as the filmmaker immerses himself further into the project. Ryan obtains participation from a host of experts in the field, including a Los Angeles police detective (Leo Rossi
), who provides powerful insight into how the legal system fails, and a habitual molester (Jordan Charney
) who tells of his technique for choosing and assaulting his victims.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television movie about child molestation starring Michael Ontkean
Michael Ontkean
Michael Leonard Ontkean is a Canadian actor. He is best known for the 1970s crime drama The Rookies, the film Slap Shot , and the cult-favorite TV series Twin Peaks .-Life and career:...
and JoBeth Williams
JoBeth Williams
JoBeth Williams is an American film and television actress and director, and current President of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation.-Early life:...
. The docudrama, which was directed by Oscar-nominated film editor Sam O'Steen
Sam O'Steen
Samuel Alexander O'Steen was an American film editor and director. He had an extended, notable collaboration with the director Mike Nichols, with whom he edited twelve films between 1966 and 1994...
(Chinatown, Postcards from the Edge
Postcards from the Edge (film)
Postcards from the Edge is a 1990 American comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols. The screenplay by Carrie Fisher is based on her 1987 semi-autobiographical novel of the same title.-Plot:...
), was broadcast on March 5, 1985.
Plot
Driven by a duty to his young daughter (Ari MeyersAri Meyers
Ari Meyers is an actress. She is best known for her role as Emma Jane McArdle in the television series Kate & Allie .-Early years:...
), filmmaker John Ryan (Michael Ontkean
Michael Ontkean
Michael Leonard Ontkean is a Canadian actor. He is best known for the 1970s crime drama The Rookies, the film Slap Shot , and the cult-favorite TV series Twin Peaks .-Life and career:...
) agrees to produce a documentary on the sexual abuse of children in the American status quo. However, his loving wife Claudia (JoBeth Williams
JoBeth Williams
JoBeth Williams is an American film and television actress and director, and current President of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation.-Early life:...
) becomes increasingly despondent and troubled as the filmmaker immerses himself further into the project. Ryan obtains participation from a host of experts in the field, including a Los Angeles police detective (Leo Rossi
Leo Rossi
Leo Rossi is an American actor and writer. He is known for his role as Budd in the 1981 horror film Halloween II and as Turkell from the 1990 horror sequel Maniac Cop 2. His other films include Heart Like a Wheel , River's Edge , The Accused , Relentless and Analyze This...
), who provides powerful insight into how the legal system fails, and a habitual molester (Jordan Charney
Jordan Charney
Jordan Charney is an American character actor.Many of his earliest roles were on daytime television, with appearances in numerous soaps. Jordan created...
) who tells of his technique for choosing and assaulting his victims.
Cast
- Michael OntkeanMichael OntkeanMichael Leonard Ontkean is a Canadian actor. He is best known for the 1970s crime drama The Rookies, the film Slap Shot , and the cult-favorite TV series Twin Peaks .-Life and career:...
... John Ryan - JoBeth WilliamsJoBeth WilliamsJoBeth Williams is an American film and television actress and director, and current President of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation.-Early life:...
... Claudia Ryan - Leo RossiLeo RossiLeo Rossi is an American actor and writer. He is known for his role as Budd in the 1981 horror film Halloween II and as Turkell from the 1990 horror sequel Maniac Cop 2. His other films include Heart Like a Wheel , River's Edge , The Accused , Relentless and Analyze This...
... Detective Rastelli - Ari MeyersAri MeyersAri Meyers is an actress. She is best known for her role as Emma Jane McArdle in the television series Kate & Allie .-Early years:...
... Nicky Ryan - John Sanderford ... Eli Davis
- Jordan CharneyJordan CharneyJordan Charney is an American character actor.Many of his earliest roles were on daytime television, with appearances in numerous soaps. Jordan created...
... Tatum - Joaquin PhoenixJoaquin PhoenixJoaquin Rafael Phoenix , formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an American film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and his family returned to the continental United States four years later...
... Frankie - Robin Gammell ... Dr. Houghton
- Shelley MorrisonShelley MorrisonShelley Morrison is an American actress. Early in her career, she was sometimes credited as Rachel Domínguez. Morrison has been a theater and television actress since the early 1960s, predominantly as a character actress in ethnic roles...
... Carol - Jean Bruce Scott ... Clare
- Matthew Faison ... Evan Harris
- David S. Aaron ... Waiter
- Roger Askin ... Man at Wedding
- Judith BarsiJudith BarsiJudith Eva Barsi was an American child actress. She was small in stature and often played characters younger than her actual age...
... Jennifer Ryan - Gary Bayer ... Speaker at Meeting
- Earl Billings ... Terry
- Dennis Bowen ... Ted
- Sally Brown ... Jill
- Victor Campos ... Dale
- Diane Cary ... Sandra Luce (as Diane Civita)
- E.M. Fredric ... Cocktail Waitress
- Kristin Gamboa ... Linda
- Mari Gorman ... Macy
- Nancy Lee Grahn ... Puppet Lady
- Natalie Gregory ... Krista Mueller
- David Kaufman ... Kenny
- Charles Lanyer ... Scotty
- Michael Laskin ... Man at Park
- Christopher Lofton ... Charles
- Oceana Marr ... Mildred
- Bob Minor ... Pool Player
- Milton Murrill ... Detective Timmy
- John Napierala ... David
- David Lloyd Nelson ... Lyle
- Greg Nourse ... Bartender
- Steve Pershing ... Officer at Desk (as Stephen Pershing)
- Branscombe Richmond ... Pool Player
- Jack Thibeau ... Donny
- Cori Wellins ... Lisa
- Jaleel WhiteJaleel WhiteJaleel Ahmad White is an American actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his role as Steve Urkel from Family Matters and voicing the character of Sonic the Hedgehog and other characters for Sonic the Hedgehog media....
... Christofer - Barbra Rae ... Daphne