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By A Customer on June 19, 2004
Format: VHS Tape
It has been many years since this made for TV movie was aired. However, I remember it as vividly today as when I saw it for my first and only time, nearly 20 years ago. The fathers' desperate struggle to retain his four sons after the loss of his wife; as well as his dealings with an unsympathic court system, will leave you stunned. The system itself really should have been on trial. In the end, the father lives up to the promise he made to his four sons; but the abuse endured by the boys at county homes, before their father successfully reenters their lives, is as devastating as anything you'll ever see in film. This exceptional TV drama is based on a true story that occured during the great depression. It is the most moving television film to be made since Brian's Song.
It has been many years since this made for TV movie was aired. However, I remember it as vividly today as when I saw it for my first and only time, nearly 20 years ago. The fathers' desperate struggle to retain his four sons after the loss of his wife; as well as his dealings with an unsympathic court system, will leave you stunned. The system itself really should have been on trial. In the end, the father lives up to the promise he made to his four sons; but the abuse endured by the boys at county homes, before their father successfully reenters their lives, is as devastating as anything you'll ever see in film. This exceptional TV drama is based on a true story that occured during the great depression. It is the most moving television film to be made since Brian's Song.
By Mr. D. Ryan on November 5, 2008
Format: DVD
For anyone who has even the slightest glimmer of compassion, a unique and gifted portrayal by Mark Harman of Elmer one man who against all the odds stacked against him, eventualy after many years re-unites the family he lost.
The viewer is taken back to 1920s America and the bakward attitudes of the establishment who do not stop to consider each case before them.
Based on a true story you are taken on the journey of a loving father and his four sons through the worst nightmare that could be imposed on them.
For anyone who has even the slightest glimmer of compassion, a unique and gifted portrayal by Mark Harman of Elmer one man who against all the odds stacked against him, eventualy after many years re-unites the family he lost.
The viewer is taken back to 1920s America and the bakward attitudes of the establishment who do not stop to consider each case before them.
Based on a true story you are taken on the journey of a loving father and his four sons through the worst nightmare that could be imposed on them.
The viewer is taken back to 1920s America and the bakward attitudes of the establishment who do not stop to consider each case before them.
Based on a true story you are taken on the journey of a loving father and his four sons through the worst nightmare that could be imposed on them.
Top Customer Reviews
David Greene
Biography
Overview (3)
Date of Birth 22 February 1921, Manchester, England, UK Date of Death 7 April 2003, Ojai, California, USA (pancreatic cancer) Birth Name David Brian Lederman
| Date of Birth | 22 February 1921, Manchester, England, UK |
| Date of Death | 7 April 2003, Ojai, California, USA (pancreatic cancer) |
| Birth Name | David Brian Lederman |
Mini Bio (1)
David Greene had a varied early career, beginning with his first job as junior reporter for the Walthamstow Guardian. Life as a journalist was not to be his forte, however. During the years spanning the mid- to late 1930's, he tried his luck variously in the furniture removal business, as a deck hand and as a hospital porter, before signing on with the Merchant Navy at the onset of World War II. He lasted a year before being invalided out in 1941. Becoming affiliated with the Everyman Theatre in London as its publicity manager, he finally found his vocation in the acting profession and subsequently enrolled at RADA. From 1948, he performed in repertory which included a season or two at the Old Vic. Movies followed, with supporting roles in films like The Wooden Horse (1950).
While travelling through Canada with the touring Broadway Company of 'Anthony and Cleopatra' in 1952, Greene decided to accept an offer from the Canadian Broadcasting Company to join their television department. He emigrated officially in 1953, and moved to New York three years later. By the end of the decade, he had become one of the most sought-after TV directors in the business. Working on both sides of the Atlantic, he helmed episodes of popular action and adventure series like Sir Francis Drake (1961) andThe Defenders (1961). He also directed the occasional feature. Three of these stand out.
His first, The Shuttered Room (1967), was a macabre story, loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft. Greene's eye for off-beat location, combined with his clever use of subjective camera technique, gave the film a striking visual sense and considerably heightened its suspense value. Sebastian (1968), with its stark Orwellian visions of London, was a stylish espionage thriller about code breaking that did not take itself all that seriously. It boasted an excellent cast, headed by Dirk Bogarde, Susannah York and Lilli Palmer, and was directed with style, fairly obscuring the numerous incongruities within the plot. Third of the trio, The Strange Affair (1968), was a gritty, somewhat unpleasant, tale of police corruption and obsession set in swinging 60's London. More overtly violent than its predecessors in the genre, it imported Greene's American experience into British film and is worth viewing chiefly for the director's taut handling.
Once again back in the U.S. from the mid-1970's, Greene directed several instalments of the popular miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (1976) and then specialised in made-for-TV films, also occasionally working as producer or executive producer. Arguably, his most successful spell in the medium was between 1976 and 1979, winning three of his four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing of a Drama Series or Special. The oft-married Greene retired in 1999 and died in April 2003, aged 82.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: I.S.Mowis
David Greene had a varied early career, beginning with his first job as junior reporter for the Walthamstow Guardian. Life as a journalist was not to be his forte, however. During the years spanning the mid- to late 1930's, he tried his luck variously in the furniture removal business, as a deck hand and as a hospital porter, before signing on with the Merchant Navy at the onset of World War II. He lasted a year before being invalided out in 1941. Becoming affiliated with the Everyman Theatre in London as its publicity manager, he finally found his vocation in the acting profession and subsequently enrolled at RADA. From 1948, he performed in repertory which included a season or two at the Old Vic. Movies followed, with supporting roles in films like The Wooden Horse (1950).
While travelling through Canada with the touring Broadway Company of 'Anthony and Cleopatra' in 1952, Greene decided to accept an offer from the Canadian Broadcasting Company to join their television department. He emigrated officially in 1953, and moved to New York three years later. By the end of the decade, he had become one of the most sought-after TV directors in the business. Working on both sides of the Atlantic, he helmed episodes of popular action and adventure series like Sir Francis Drake (1961) andThe Defenders (1961). He also directed the occasional feature. Three of these stand out.
His first, The Shuttered Room (1967), was a macabre story, loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft. Greene's eye for off-beat location, combined with his clever use of subjective camera technique, gave the film a striking visual sense and considerably heightened its suspense value. Sebastian (1968), with its stark Orwellian visions of London, was a stylish espionage thriller about code breaking that did not take itself all that seriously. It boasted an excellent cast, headed by Dirk Bogarde, Susannah York and Lilli Palmer, and was directed with style, fairly obscuring the numerous incongruities within the plot. Third of the trio, The Strange Affair (1968), was a gritty, somewhat unpleasant, tale of police corruption and obsession set in swinging 60's London. More overtly violent than its predecessors in the genre, it imported Greene's American experience into British film and is worth viewing chiefly for the director's taut handling.
Once again back in the U.S. from the mid-1970's, Greene directed several instalments of the popular miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (1976) and then specialised in made-for-TV films, also occasionally working as producer or executive producer. Arguably, his most successful spell in the medium was between 1976 and 1979, winning three of his four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing of a Drama Series or Special. The oft-married Greene retired in 1999 and died in April 2003, aged 82.
While travelling through Canada with the touring Broadway Company of 'Anthony and Cleopatra' in 1952, Greene decided to accept an offer from the Canadian Broadcasting Company to join their television department. He emigrated officially in 1953, and moved to New York three years later. By the end of the decade, he had become one of the most sought-after TV directors in the business. Working on both sides of the Atlantic, he helmed episodes of popular action and adventure series like Sir Francis Drake (1961) andThe Defenders (1961). He also directed the occasional feature. Three of these stand out.
His first, The Shuttered Room (1967), was a macabre story, loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft. Greene's eye for off-beat location, combined with his clever use of subjective camera technique, gave the film a striking visual sense and considerably heightened its suspense value. Sebastian (1968), with its stark Orwellian visions of London, was a stylish espionage thriller about code breaking that did not take itself all that seriously. It boasted an excellent cast, headed by Dirk Bogarde, Susannah York and Lilli Palmer, and was directed with style, fairly obscuring the numerous incongruities within the plot. Third of the trio, The Strange Affair (1968), was a gritty, somewhat unpleasant, tale of police corruption and obsession set in swinging 60's London. More overtly violent than its predecessors in the genre, it imported Greene's American experience into British film and is worth viewing chiefly for the director's taut handling.
Once again back in the U.S. from the mid-1970's, Greene directed several instalments of the popular miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (1976) and then specialised in made-for-TV films, also occasionally working as producer or executive producer. Arguably, his most successful spell in the medium was between 1976 and 1979, winning three of his four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing of a Drama Series or Special. The oft-married Greene retired in 1999 and died in April 2003, aged 82.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: I.S.Mowis
Spouse (7)
Kelly Greene (4 April 2003 - 7 April 2003) (his death) Lauren Rickey Greene (18 December 1981 - 18 December 2001) (divorced) Vanessa Greene (22 February 1975 - 10 December 1981) (divorced) (1 child) Thomasina Doreen Patricia Jones (10 April 1972 - 25 May 1973) (her death) (1 child) Eileen Grace Jack (10 March 1959 - 20 November 1970) (divorced) (1 child) Katharine Blake (26 June 1948 - 2 March 1959) (divorced) (1 child) Margaret Lane (13 September 1941 - 23 March 1948) (divorced)
| Kelly Greene | (4 April 2003 - 7 April 2003) (his death) |
| Lauren Rickey Greene | (18 December 1981 - 18 December 2001) (divorced) |
| Vanessa Greene | (22 February 1975 - 10 December 1981) (divorced) (1 child) |
| Thomasina Doreen Patricia Jones | (10 April 1972 - 25 May 1973) (her death) (1 child) |
| Eileen Grace Jack | (10 March 1959 - 20 November 1970) (divorced) (1 child) |
| Katharine Blake | (26 June 1948 - 2 March 1959) (divorced) (1 child) |
| Margaret Lane | (13 September 1941 - 23 March 1948) (divorced) |
Trivia (4)
Father, with Vanessa Greene, of Linsel Greene
Father, with Eileen Grace Jack, of Nic Greene.
Father, with Thomasina Doreen Patricia Jones (birth mother) and Lauren Rickey Greene (adoptave mother) of Laurence Greene.
Father, with Katharine Blake, of Lindy Greene.
Father, with Vanessa Greene, of Linsel Greene
Father, with Eileen Grace Jack, of Nic Greene.
Father, with Thomasina Doreen Patricia Jones (birth mother) and Lauren Rickey Greene (adoptave mother) of Laurence Greene.
Father, with Katharine Blake, of Lindy Greene.
fficial Sites | Contact Info
Writing Credits
| Robert W. Lenski | ... | (teleplay) |
| Sebastian Milito | ... | (story) |
Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification
 | Mark Harmon |
Elmer Jackson
| |
 | Diana Scarwid |
Anna Jackson
| |
 | Rosemary Dunsmore |
Florence Jackson
| |
 | Donnelly Rhodes |
Dr. Northfield
| |
 | Chance Michael Corbitt |
Wayne 1
| |
| David French |
Richard 1
| |
| Benjamin Turner |
Ellis 1
| |
| Lance Verwoerd |
Raymond 1 (as Lance)
| |
| Gary Verwoerd |
Raymond 1
| |
| Shirley Barclay |
Mrs. Adams
| |
 | Alex Bruhanski |
Hospital Cop
| |
| Dwight Koss |
Young Doctor
| |
 | Linda Darlow |
Welfare Officer
| |
| Dana Still |
Supervisor
| |
 | Jenn Griffin |
Sitter (as Jennifer Griffin)
| |
| Stephen E. Miller |
Ben
| |
 | Blu Mankuma |
Jack
| |
 | Alex Diakun |
Foreman
| |
| Dan Muldoon |
Juvenile Judge
| |
| Slone Romano |
Raymond 2
| |
| William Nunn |
Superior Court Judge (as Willian Nunn)
| |
| Lillian Carlson |
Mrs. Sykes
| |
 | Adrien Dorval |
Sykes Attendant
| |
| Janet Wright |
Waitress
| |
 | Ryan Francis |
Wayne 2
| |
 | Donnie Jeffcoat |
Richard 2
| |
| Ryan Heavenor |
Ellis 2
| |
| Pat Bermel |
Patrolman
| |
| Bill Buck |
Chief Of Staff
| |
| Meghan Ramsey |
Melissa
| |
| Michele Goodger |
Welfare Worker
| |
| Lorraine Foreman |
Older Nun
| |
 | Mark Hildreth |
Raymond 3
| |
| Trey Ames |
Ellis 3
| |
| Dick Billingsley |
Wayne 3 (as Richard Billingsley)
| |
| David Petersen |
Administrator
| |
| Andrew Woodworth |
Richard
| |
