Hide in Plain Sight (1980)

This was based on a true story. About a man (Caan) who discovers that his ex-wife has disappeared along with their children. It seems that her new boyfriend works for some criminals. After ... See full summary »

Director:

James Caan

Writers:

Leslie Waller (book), Spencer Eastman (screenplay)

Stars:

James Caan, Jill Eikenberry, Robert Viharo

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Caan	...	Thomas Hacklin, Jr.
Jill Eikenberry	...	Alisa Hacklin
Robert Viharo	...	Jack Scolese
Joe Grifasi	...	Matty Stanek
Barbra Rae	...	Ruthie Hacklin
Kenneth McMillan	...	Sam Marzetta
Josef Sommer	...	Jason R. Reid
Danny Aiello	...	Sal Carvello
Thomas Hill	...	Bobby Momisa
Chuck Hicks	...	Frankie Irish
Andy Fenwick	...	Andy Hacklin (as Andrew Gordon Fenwick)
Heather Bicknell	...	Junie Hacklin
David Clennon	...	Richard Fieldston
Peter Maloney	...	Lee McHugh
Ken Sylk	...	Frantuzzi

Storyline

This was based on a true story. About a man (Caan) who discovers that his ex-wife has disappeared along with their children. It seems that her new boyfriend works for some criminals. After being arrested, the government offers to let him enter the newly developed Witness Protection Program in exchange for testifying against his employers. His bosses instruct him to marry his girlfriend so that she can't testify against him, they promise that they will take care of her. When he learns that they have done nothing, he accepts the government's offer. So, he and his wife and her children enter the program. Now her ex-husband goes to a lawyer because he wants to sue the government for keeping him away from his children.

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Plot Keywords:

witness protection program | witness protection | hit with a shovel | directed by star | assumed identity | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 April 1980 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Die Machtprobe

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features The Untouchables (1959)

User Reviews

Witness protection

Never saw this film directed by James Caan, who also appears in the title role. This movie must have gone directly to video because we don't recollect if it ever was released commercially. The picture has a "movie of the week" feeling to it, which could well be the reason for not having received a wider release.

The film makes an interesting point. Thomas Hacklin, a factory worker, has divorced his wife, but they have remained in friendly terms. We watch as Tom comes, at the start of the movie, to baby sit his son and daughter. Clearly, Tom adores these children.

His divorced wife has remarried the small time hoodlum Jack Solese. When this man runs into problems with the law, he is offered a release and witness protection in exchange for his cooperation in getting the principal mobsters in jail. When he complies and points the finger to the responsible guys, Jack and his family are relocated to Michigan. Tom, on the other hand, is not notified about the where abouts. Thus begins his quest for his own children.

James Caan, makes a good impression as the working class father. Jill Eikenberry plays Alisa, the woman who has settled in the area and loves Tom. The supporting cast is good. Robert Viharo, Joe Grifasi, Barbra Rae, Kenneth McMillan, Josef Sommer and Danny Aiello work well under Mr. Caan's direction.

This is a curiosity because it's the only film directed by Mr. Caan.