Second Serve (TV 1986)

Fact-based story about tennis pro Renee Richards, whose player status was challenged in 1976 when it was revealed that she was a transsexual. Flashback to 1964 and meet Richard Radley, a ... See full summary »

Director:

Anthony Page

Writers:

John Ames (novel), Gavin Lambert,

Stars:

Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Balsam, William Russ

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Richard Radley / Renee Richards
Martin Balsam	...	Dr. Beck
William Russ	...	Josh
Alice Krige	...	Gwen
Kerrie Keane	...	Meriam
Richard Venture	...	Dr. David Radley
Reni Santoni	...	Dr. Roberto Granato
Louise Fletcher	...	Dr. Sadie M. Bishop
Jeff Corey	...	Dr. Harry Benjamin
Alan Feinstein	...	Bill
Nina van Pallandt	...	Danielle (as Nina Van Pallandt)
Michael Cavanaugh	...	Gene Scott
Kenneth Tigar	...	Ross
Alison La Placa	...	Nightclub singer
Ray Girardin	...	Grigsby

Storyline

Fact-based story about tennis pro Renee Richards, whose player status was challenged in 1976 when it was revealed that she was a transsexual. Flashback to 1964 and meet Richard Radley, a successful New York doctor with a great lifestyle, a flashy girl friend, and a secret life. Seems like the good doctor likes to dress up in women's clothes and visit Manhattan. His psychiatrist mother refuses to deal with him and sends him to a colleague who diagnoses with a psychotic gender confusion, which he says can be unlearned. After a failed marriage and fatherhood, he gives in to the transsexual operation and becomes Renee for good with a new life in California.

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Plot Keywords:

transsexual | tennis | sex change | based on novel | based on book

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

I Change My Life

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lorimar Telepictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Ugly Betty: Brothers (2007)

User Reviews

Vanessa Redgrave IS one of the best actresses EVER!

I'am a Vanessa Redgrave fan. However, that does not mean that every performance she gives and every film she makes will be "Oscar" worthy in my eyes. This film DESERVED every Emmy it was nominated for (3) and deserved the 2 wins. However, Redgrave was cheated out of her Emmy. I have never seen a woman pass so greatly as a man before. Redgrave is wonderful! She even got down the movements of a man! There are times you can tell it's her. But if you don't know her, you can't. She looks like a man 100% of the time and only when she turns slightly do you get a glimpse of the real person.

The movie is wonderful. It's brilliant. Redgrave is brilliant! You see her struggle time after time with her identity and you feel for this character. She really jumps into character. She even fights like a man! If you can get your hands on this, get it! It is wonderful!