Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

Improper Channels

  • 19811981
  • PGPG
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
159
YOUR RATING
Improper Channels (1981)
  • Comedy
  • Drama
A couple fights for justice to get their injured daughter out of a foster care center.A couple fights for justice to get their injured daughter out of a foster care center.A couple fights for justice to get their injured daughter out of a foster care center.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
159
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Eric Till
  • Writers
    • Morrie Ruvinsky(screenplay)
    • Ian Sutherland(screenplay)
    • Adam Arkin(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Alan Arkin
    • Mariette Hartley
    • Monica Parker
Top credits
  • Director
    • Eric Till
  • Writers
    • Morrie Ruvinsky(screenplay)
    • Ian Sutherland(screenplay)
    • Adam Arkin(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Alan Arkin
    • Mariette Hartley
    • Monica Parker
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    Photos14

    1 sheet movie poster
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Alan Arkin in Improper Channels (1981)
    Mariette Hartley in Improper Channels (1981)
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Improper Channels (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Alan Arkin
    Alan Arkin
    • Jeffery Martleyas Jeffery Martley
    Mariette Hartley
    Mariette Hartley
    • Diana Martleyas Diana Martley
    Monica Parker
    Monica Parker
    • Gloria Washburnas Gloria Washburn
    Harry Ditson
    Harry Ditson
    • Harold Clevishas Harold Clevish
    Sarah Stevens
    • Nancy Martleyas Nancy Martley
    Danny Higham
    • Jackas Jack
    Leslie Yeo
    • Fred Reevesas Fred Reeves
    Richard W. Farrell
    • Fraseras Fraser
    • (as Richard Farrell)
    Martin Yan
    Martin Yan
    • Sherman Huas Sherman Hu
    Ruth Springford
    Ruth Springford
    • Mrs. Whartonas Mrs. Wharton
    Tony Rosato
    Tony Rosato
    • Dr. Arpenthaleras Dr. Arpenthaler
    Philip Akin
    • Motorcycle Copas Motorcycle Cop
    Harvey Atkin
    Harvey Atkin
    • Police Sergeantas Police Sergeant
    Richard Blackburn
    • Fraser's Assistantas Fraser's Assistant
    Jessica Booker
    • Mrs. Gherkinas Mrs. Gherkin
    Ken Camroux-Taylor
    Ken Camroux-Taylor
    • City Officialas City Official
    • (as Ken Camroux)
    Leslie Carlson
    Leslie Carlson
    • Buccias Bucci
    • (as Les Carlson)
    Eugene Clark
    Eugene Clark
    • Security Guard #1as Security Guard #1
    • Director
      • Eric Till
    • Writers
      • Morrie Ruvinsky(screenplay) (original story)
      • Ian Sutherland(screenplay)
      • Adam Arkin(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Fire Sale
    5.4
    Fire Sale
    Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins
    6.4
    Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins
    Last of the Red Hot Lovers
    6.0
    Last of the Red Hot Lovers
    Full Moon High
    4.7
    Full Moon High
    Simon
    6.3
    Simon
    Chu Chu and the Philly Flash
    4.2
    Chu Chu and the Philly Flash
    Deadhead Miles
    5.6
    Deadhead Miles
    The Return of Captain Invincible
    5.6
    The Return of Captain Invincible
    Freebie and the Bean
    6.6
    Freebie and the Bean
    Big Trouble
    5.2
    Big Trouble
    The Magician of Lublin
    5.8
    The Magician of Lublin
    Little Murders
    6.9
    Little Murders

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Featured in Vintage Video: Improper Channels (1981) (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      Make Your Move
      Composed by Maribeth Solomon and Micky Erbe

      Performed by Colina Phillips

    User reviews4

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Minor satire made memorable by good performances
    Improper Channels (1981) is a satisfactory satire about the tyranny of bureaucracy in the lives of ordinary people. Alan Arkin and Mariette Hartley have great chemistry as the separated couple whose battle for the custody of their daughter brings them back together, and even outside of this subplot, they give solid, likable performances which prove the best part of the movie. Otherwise. this film could have used a stronger script and a longer run-time to flesh out the satire and characters more. If you're a fan of any of the actors (I'm not gonna lie, I only watched for Arkin), then this film will likely interest you. While I had a good time with it and liked the climax with the computer, I wouldn't call it a lost classic.
    helpful•2
    0
    • MissSimonetta
    • Mar 26, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 17, 1981 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Datakuppen
    • Filming locations
      • Burger King Restaurant, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Paragon Motion Pictures
      • Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CA$3,600,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Improper Channels (1981)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Improper Channels (1981) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in June
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.