The Ransom of Red Chief (TV 1998)

Two hoboes strike on a get-rich quick scheme to kidnap an overly-energetic 9 year old son of a local banker. Based on the classic story by O'Henry.

Director:

Bob Clark

Writers:

O. Henry (short story), Ed Naha (teleplay)

Stars:

Christopher Lloyd, Michael Jeter, Alan Ruck

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Lloyd	...	Sam Howard
Michael Jeter	...	Bill Driscoll
Alan Ruck	...	Ambrose Dorset
Kaitlin Hopkins	...	Agnes Dorset
Brent Hinkley	...	Deputy Muldoon
Richard Riehle	...	Narrator / Sheriff 'T-Bone' Yankum
Sue Bugden	...	Miss Dupa
Richard Moll	...	Filthy McNasty
Brad Greenquist	...	Strange Pierre
Haley Joel Osment	...	Andy Dorset
Nancy Lenehan	...	Temperance Lady 1 (as Nancy Linehan Charles)
Mary Linda Phillips	...	Temperance Lady 2 (as Linda Phillips)
Nicole Kranidas	...	Temperance Lady 3
Al Mancini	...	Assayer
Robert Dickman	...	Second Town Man 1

Storyline

Two hoboes strike on a get-rich quick scheme to kidnap an overly-energetic 9 year old son of a local banker. Based on the classic story by O'Henry.

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Plot Keywords:

nickname | wagon | prank | forest | child actor | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 August 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Entführung von Häuptling Rothaut

Filming Locations:

Laramie Street, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Haley Joel Osment is the big surprise here - and an unexpected one.

This is the typical TV movie. You can tell from its budget, from its look, from its minimalism...

Seriously, this movie is nothing (and I mean, nothing) special. Although very far from being good, it does offer some fun to its audiences, particularly by Haley Joel Osment (he really is the one who steals the show). This was before Haley got widely known. Even in his early years he already possessed great potential for dramatic roles ('Bogus' is one good example of that) and he is better known for his acting skills in drama rather than in comedy. However, in this TV movie he is hilarious (I never thought I'd say this about him one day), particularly anytime he mimics indians and calls himself Red Chief. Not just that, he is way funnier than gloomy in this movie. This is the living proof that Haley could do comedy as well as he could do drama.

As a movie, it actually deserved a 5 rating, but I gave it a 6 as a gratitude gesture over Haley's fantastic performance in an unusual role for him.