Desperate Lives (1982)

A brother and sister get caught up in the drug scene in their local high school, with tragic results.

Director:

Robert Michael Lewis

Writer:

Lew Hunter

Stars:

Diana Scarwid, Doug McKeon, Helen Hunt

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Diana Scarwid	...	Eileen Phillips
Doug McKeon	...	Scott Cameron
Helen Hunt	...	Sandy Cameron
William Windom	...	Dr. Jarvis
Art Hindle	...	Stan
Tom Atkins	...	John Cameron
Norman Alden	...	Coach
Tricia Cast	...	Susan Garber
Sam Bottoms	...	Ken Baynes
Diane Ladd	...	Carol Cameron
Michele Greene	...	Julie Jordan
Terry Alexander	...	Robert Walsh
Joyce Brothers	...	Mrs. Watson (as Dr. Joyce Brothers)
Aggie Terry	...	Cindy
Katherine Kelly Lang	...	Mary

Storyline

A brother and sister get caught up in the drug scene in their local high school, with tragic results.

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Plot Keywords:

high school | drugs | car accident | education | 1980s | 

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Taglines:

Who's killing young kids with drugs and crime?

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anielski pyl

Filming Locations:

William S. Hart High School - 24825 Newhall Avenue, Newhall, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fellows-Keegan Company, Lorimar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The drugs Steve gives Sandy to snort move from his pinkie to his index finger and back between shots.

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Connections

Featured in Saturday Night Live: Helen Hunt/Snoop Doggy Dogg (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Desperate Lives"
Written and Sung by Rick Springfield

User Reviews

I Remember This

I remember that it was quite bad acting, typical for those ABC After school Specials; however, we get to see a young Helen Hunt and Diana Scarwid (post "Mommy Dearest"), in all her over-acting! It doesn't come across quite humorous and unrealistic at many points. I mean, you knew kids were doing drugs in high school but for the counselor to go through all their lockers during an assembly, then emotionally storm into the assembly and light the drugs on fire was way over the top! As far as the poster who mentioned Helen Hunt and her scene being deleted during her better times, actually, I remember when she hosted "Saturday Night Live" in the early 90's, after she had her comeback hit with "Mad About You." She did a clip where she was doing something and then she walked over to a window, then the next shot was the inserted footage from this movie where she has her "PCP freak-out scene" and goes through the window! It was pretty hilarious! Anyway, those Afterschool Specials always meant well!