I Know My First Name Is Steven (TV 1989)

7-year old Steven Stayner is kidnapped a few days before Christmas by Kenneth Parnell. Under the belief that Parnell has been given legal custody of him, and that his family has moved away,... See full summary »

Director:

Larry Elikann

Writers:

J.P. Miller (story), J.P. Miller (teleplay),

Stars:

Cindy Pickett, John Ashton, Corin Nemec

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cindy Pickett	...	Kay Stayner
John Ashton	...	Del Stayner
Corin Nemec	...	Steven Gregory Stayner / Dennis Parnell (as Corin 'Corky' Nemec)
Luke Edwards	...	Steven Stayner (Age 7)
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Irving Murphy
Ray Walston	...	Bob Augustine
Gregg Henry	...	Officer Kean
Jim Haynie	...	Officer Scott
Barbara Tarbuck	...	School Counselor
Scott Curtis	...	Cary Stayner (Age 11)
Stephanie Walski	...	Cindy Stayner (Age 9)
Sumer Stamper	...	Jody Stayner (Age 5)
Cassy Friel	...	Cory Stayner (Age 4)
June C. Ellis	...	Miss Rebecca
Billy O'Sullivan	...	Victor (Age 7)

Storyline

7-year old Steven Stayner is kidnapped a few days before Christmas by Kenneth Parnell. Under the belief that Parnell has been given legal custody of him, and that his family has moved away, he stays with Parnell for seven years, enduring repetitive sexual abuse the entire time. Finally, at fourteen, he returns home to his family.

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Plot Keywords:

sexual abuse | sadist | year 1980 | pedophile | pervert | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 May 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Missing Years

Filming Locations:

Merced, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lorimar Television, Andrew Adelson Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where Parnell escorts Steven into Highland Elementary School, a dubbed woman's voice says, "Mr. Teaney says you're failing his history class. I can help you!" Ken Teaney was the supervising sound editor for this film.

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Quotes

Kenneth Parnell: [after striking Steven across the face] Could have been a baseball bat.

User Reviews

A truly harrowing story of a parent's worst nightmare!

I know my first name is Steven tells the story of a 7-year-old boy named Steven Stayner.Little Steven is kidnapped by child-molester Ken Parnell and is kept with him for 7 years.During these 7 years Steven is renamed Dennis Parnell,attends school,plays sports,and functions as the son(and lover!) of his kidnapper.At age 14 "Dennis" finally escapes his kidnapper.This happens after Ken Parnell kidnaps another little boy-and the trusted "Dennis" helps him to go to the local police station.Detained by the police "Dennis" finally reveals his previous identity! And this is effectively the beginning of the movie!

"I know my first name is Steven" was originally shown in two parts!The first half dealt with Steven's life with his humble parents and 4 siblings.When little Steven is abducted by the sleazy Parnell he doesn't even realize what has occurred.His abductor uses no force or violence!Steven simply BELIEVES what he is told and simply OBEYS the man who is now his adult authority!The filmmakers have tactfully(and thankfully!) managed to spare the viewers any graphic details of Steven's life with his abductor.But still the disturbing question remains: How was this middle-aged man(with a history of child molestation!) able to keep a MISSING child in his home,send him to public schools,pass him off as his son with NOBODY in any position of authority suspicious??And remember in the SAME STATE!!!

The second half is really the beginning of the heart of the movie!Steven is returned to his family! He now has the father,mother,brothers,sisters,rules,curfews,church attendance,etc.And he DOSEN'T LIKE IT!! Fourteen year old Steven has already been sexually active,has smoked and drank since childhood! His new life with his family simply doesn't last! He has no basis for a relationship with them and the bonds of these relationships have long since been destroyed! He leaves his parent's home and moves in with his girlfriend! He and his family come to a peace(of sorts!) but we the viewers know that the damage has been done!!