Switched at Birth (TV 1999)

On the same night, Milford maternity delivers Morgan, businessman James and Sarah's son, and Linda's boy Luke Wells, whose father Darryl Moncton left town never having wanted kids, so they ... See full summary »

Director:

Douglas Barr

Writers:

Arlene Sarner, Jerry Leichtling

Stars:

Melissa Gilbert, Rosanna Arquette, David Andrews

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melissa Gilbert	...	Sarah Barlow
Rosanna Arquette	...	Linda Wells
David Andrews	...	James Barlow
James McCaffrey	...	Darryl
Mary Mara	...	Judy
Susan Barnes	...	Marie
Ron Snyder	...	Bert Wells
Joe Ivy	...	Joseph Vankay, Esq.
Bruce Burkhartsmeier	...	Michael Turner, Esq.
Robert Blanche	...	Dr. Nerenberg
Sharonlee McLean	...	Louise Dennis
Raissa Fleming	...	Dr. Amy Popkin
Lester B. Hanson	...	Dr. Lee
Peter Lohnes	...	Dr. Ullman
Rob Stockton	...	Orderly Jimmy

Storyline

On the same night, Milford maternity delivers Morgan, businessman James and Sarah's son, and Linda's boy Luke Wells, whose father Darryl Moncton left town never having wanted kids, so they will live with her parents, but a nurse switches the babies' name tags. Two years later, Darryl returns but denies paternity; he accepts a DNA test if she promises to leave his life anyway, revealing neither is Luke's biological parent. What must happen now?

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Plot Keywords:

baby switch | switched at birth | based on true story

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 November 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Two Babies: Switched at Birth

Filming Locations:

Newberg, Oregon, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alexander/Enright & Associates, Carlton America

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Sharon A. Mitchell is listed as "Judge Marshak", but in the movie her name is shown to be "Judge Marion Hopkins."

User Reviews

A baby-switch film with a twist in the tale . . .

I have seen many films on the subject of switched babies, but this one stands alone because it left me nodding in tearful and smiling acceptance of the outcome. It is worth watching just for that, let alone the character interplay of the four parents, from the complicated rich girl and the put-it-right husband to the optimistic poor girl and the grasping opportunist. Melissa Gilbert usually packs a punch, and this is no exception, although in this film I found the story was so strong that it overshadowed her performance.

The film begins when Sarah and Linda meet in hospital when they are each in labour, and shows how they inadvertently leave with each other's babies. Every mother's nightmare. It isn't until Linda's boyfriend starts causing trouble that the mistake is uncovered, and there follows the rest of the story.

Melissa's character gives most of the small laughs along the way (and there are very few of these overall) with her strict by-the-book parenting. Understandable, really, given that Sarah had been trying for many years to have a child and had read every book on the subject in the intervening years. A contrast to Linda, who fell pregnant by accident and was dogged by her son's father throughout the film.