Deadly Silence, A (1989) TV Movie

Made for TV, A Deadly Silence was based on the book by New York Times reporter Dena Kleiman. It is the doleful story of Long Island teenager Cheryl Pierson (Heather Fairfield), who in February of 1986 orchestrated the murder of her electrician father James Pierson (Charles Haid). The film does not argue that Cheryl was innocent. It does, however, delve into the deep waters of "extenuating circumstances". With the utmost taste and discretion, A Deadly Silence reveals that, for at least five years, Cheryl had endured sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Over and above the basic story, the film explores the "deadly silence" of incest - a silence often maintained not only by the victim, but by friends and family members who don't want to cause "trouble". Mike Farrell, Richard Portnow, Jeff Corey and Sally Struther costar, while future Friends regular David Schwimmer essays an important minor role. A Deadly Silence premiered April 16, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A Deadly Silence  (1989) TV Movie
Cast: Mike Farrell, Bruce Weitz, Charles Haid, Richard Portnow, Wallace Langham, Heather Fairfield, Sally Struthers, David Schwimmer, Jeff Corey

Baby M (1988) TV Movie

Mary Beth Whitehead, the genetic mother, was artificially inseminated with William Stern's sperm, becoming surrogate mother of the child. Despite what was stated in the surrogacy contract, Mr. Stern's wife, Elizabeth, was not infertile, but rather she had multiple sclerosis and was concerned about potential health implications of carrying a child.
  

Mary Beth Whitehead later wrote a book about her experience. Additionally, an Emmy-award winning 1988 television movie about the case was featured, starring Jobeth Williams as Whitehead.

Baby M (1988) TV Movie
Cast: Bruce Weitz, Dabney Coleman, JoBeth Williams, John Shea, Robin Strasser

Cry for Help, A: The Tracey Thurman Story (1989) TV Movie

Tracey Thurman was a real-life Connecticut housewife who, throughout her marriage, suffered horrendous abuse at the hands of her husband. The beatings culminate in a single bloody night when Buck Thurman stabs his estranged wife 13 times. She survives--barely--and Buck is arrested. Having failed to get proper protection from the local police force, Tracey successfully sued the officers in 1989. The long-range result was the Thurman Law, which called for mandatory arrests in wife-beating cases in Connecticut and several other states. Nancy McKeon, who plays Tracey Thurman in A Cry for Help, starred in the film in the hope that it would prevent Buck Thurman's early release from prison. A Cry For Help: The Tracy Thurman Story first aired on October 2, 1989; Thurman was scheduled for release in 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story (1989) TV Movie

Cast: Bruce Weitz, Burton Collins, Dale Midkiff, David Ciminello, David Wohl, Graham Jarvis, Nancy McKeon, Philip Baker Hall, Priscilla Pointer, Seth Isler