In a Child's Name (TV 1991)

A true story about a woman who fights her brother-in-law's parents for custody of her deceased sister's baby upon learning that her brother-in-law murdered her sister.

Director:

Tom McLoughlin

Writers:

Peter Maas (book), Bill Phillips (teleplay),

Stars:

Valerie Bertinelli, Michael Ontkean, Timothy Carhart

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Valerie Bertinelli	...	Angela Cimarelli
Michael Ontkean	...	Kenneth Taylor
Timothy Carhart	...	Lt. Robert Fausak
David Huddleston	...	Zach Taylor
John Karlen	...	Joe Silvano
Caroline Kava	...	Janice Miller
Christopher Meloni	...	Jerry Cimarelli
Joanna Merlin	...	Frances Silvano
Mitch Ryan	...	Peter Chappell (as Mitchell Ryan)
Karla Tamburrelli	...	Teresa Taylor
Andy Hirsch	...	Andrew Silvano
Vincent Guastaferro	...	Malinouski
Louise Fletcher	...	Jean Taylor
Nancy McLoughlin	...	Marilyn Taylor
Eric Tilley	...	Tom Taylor

Storyline

A true story about a woman who fights her brother-in-law's parents for custody of her deceased sister's baby upon learning that her brother-in-law murdered her sister.

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Plot Keywords:

luminol | murder | sister sister relationship | custody battle | italian american | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Taylor-Mord - Kampf um ein Kind

Company Credits

Production Co:

New World Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

192 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Yes, Virginia -- Valerie Bertinelli _can_ act

I usually don't watch the junk on Lifetime, but I'm on a Valerie Bertinelli binge. (I'm just recovering from my Deborah Kerr binge.) This is what so-called "women's television" should be -- a compelling story (Whether it's "true" or not has never been a selling point with me.), very well-drawn characters, and a solid script. If you'll pardon the screenwriter's lingo, the set-up was one of the best I've ever seen. The Silvano family was colorful without being a parody of Italian-Americans. Each member was presented as an individual as well a part of the whole. Finally, I first realized Valerie Bertinelli (VB) was (and is) one darn good actress when I saw her in "The Haunting of Helen Walker." Another exception to the usual Lifetime TV fare, I was floored by VB's performance -- solid, subtle without being underacted, giving her own interpretation to a well-known character. In "In a Child's Name," VB gives another very good performance, presenting a well-rounded character -- recognizable and one-of-a kind at the same time. Yep, one darn good actress...