Lies and Lullabies
Lies and Lullabies is a Rod Hardy-directed 1993 ABC television movie about a pregnant cocaine addict, played by Susan Dey.[1] The film was released on DVD as Sad Inheritance in 2005 and is also sometimes known as Love, Lies and Lullabies.[2]
| Lies and Lullabies | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) DVD cover | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Janet Heaney Matthew Eisen Joe S. Landon |
| Directed by | Rod Hardy |
| Starring | Susan Dey Piper Laurie Lorraine Toussaint D.W. Moffett Lisa Rieffel Kathleen York Allyce Beasley |
| Theme music composer | Johnny Harris |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Les Alexander Don Enright |
| Producers | Susan Dey Harvey Kahn Barbara Gale |
| Cinematography | David Connell |
| Editor | James Mitchell |
| Running time | 94 minutes |
| Production companies | Alexander/Enright & Associates Hearst Entertainment Front Street Pictures Susan Dey Productions |
| Distributor | ABC |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Picture format | Color |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original release | March 14, 1993 |
Plot
Christina (Susan Dey) is the adult daughter of an alcoholic (Piper Laurie) and a habitual cocaine-user, who continues to abuse the drug after she becomes pregnant by her boyfriend (D.W. Moffett). In spite of disapproval from a well-meaning co-worker (Allyce Beasley), when the baby is born addicted, she is kept away from Christina based on the recommendation of a social worker (Lorraine Toussaint), who deems her an unfit mother. Distraught over being denied custody of her daughter, Christina begins the hard, uphill battle to find sobriety and regain her maternal rights.
History
The script for Lies and Lullabies initially cast Dey as the sister of a closet-cocaine addict who dies during child birth. Dey's character was then charged with raising the baby, ignorant to the developmental delays that would follow. However, after visiting a treatment facility and meeting mothers who were in the process of seeking treatment to regain custody of their children, Dey (who also acted as the producer of the film), asked that the script be rewritten. "(In the early stages) we all had very little compassion for these women. (But upon meeting them we learned) "the reality is that these women can be helped and if given a chance for treatment and a choice between drugs and their children, many choose their children."[3]
Cast
- Susan Dey ... Christina Kinsey
- Lorraine Toussaint ... Florence Crawford
- D.W. Moffett ... Gabriel
- Piper Laurie ... Margaret Kinsey
- Lisa Rieffel ... Rachel
- Kathleen York ... Terry
- Guy Boyd ... Walter
- Andy Romano ... Judge Windt
- Lawrence Monoson ... Christopher Bentlage
- Allyce Beasley ... Cindy
- A.J. Johnson ... Grandpa Simmington
- Tim Kelleher ... Duke Gibson-Lampiassi
- Neal Lerner ... Victor
- Sondra Blake ... Mrs. Sweetser
- Brandon Hammond ... Kenny
- María Díaz ... Sandra
- Yvette Cruise ... Sadie
- Ashley Gardner ... Fran
- Mary Anne McGarry ... Pediatrician
- Paul Perri ... Dr. Boardman
- Liz Vassey ... Chloe
- Gigi Bermingham ... Kim
- Perla Walter ... Sadie's Mother
- Jeanne Mori ... Nurse
- Carrie Stauber ... Nurse
- Brandon Hammond ... Kenny
- Jennifer Gertsman ... Nurse
- Ace Mask ... Clerk
- Bernardo Rosa Jr. ... Sadie's Husband
- Ericka Bryce ... Party Girl
- Amber Adelmann... Orphan girl
Awards
The movie was awarded the Scott Newman Award (founded by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in memory of their son) that is presented annually to the production that best illustrates the degradation of and triumph over drug addiction.
References
- "'Lies & Lullabies': Stinging Statement on Pregnant Addicts". LA Times. May 13, 1993.
- "Susan Dey talks about 'Lies & Lullabies'". The Post and Courier. March 12, 1993.