Lisa, Bright and Dark (1973) (TV)

Director:

Jeannot Szwarc

Writers:

John Neufeld (novel)
Lionel E. Siegel (teleplay)

Release Date:

28 November 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Three teenage girls try to help their girlfriend, who is having a nervous breakdown that conventional therapy seems to be failing to remedy. |

Plot Keywords:

Teenage Girl | Friendship | Group Therapy | Parent Child Relationship | Troubled Teen

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Anne Baxter	...	Margaret Schilling
John Forsythe	...	William Schilling
Kay Lenz	...	Lisa Schilling
Anne Lockhart	...	Elizabeth
Debralee Scott	...	Mary Nell Fickett
Jamie Smith-Jackson	...	Betsy Goodman
Anson Williams	...	Brian Morris
Erin Moran	...	Tracy Schilling
Stu Klitsner	...	Arthur Milne
Richard Stahl	...	John Fickett
Jessica Myerson	...	Eleanor Fickett
Lawrence P. Casey	...	Buddy King

Runtime:

90 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Bob Banner Associates

A Great Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie

This is one of those Hallmark Hall of Fame specials that helped to cement their reputation for being well-made, well-acted quality production. Kay Lenz is outstanding as Lisa, and the supporting cast is also excellent. This is one that still holds up today, even though it was made many years ago. When this was made, mental illness wasn't a popular subject for serious treatment by television, but this sensitive,thoughtful movie helped to be a pioneer for all of the television movies dealing with mental illness (like Sybil, The Cracker Factory, and many others)that would come afterwards. The Seventies was a coming of age time for television drama. Lisa, Bright and Dark was a definite pioneer.