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

UFO Cover-Up?: Live! (1988) (TV)

Special nuttiness for those among us who believe. Any minute now..., wait for it, wait for it... Was that it?

First you got to buy into extra-terrestrial life but then a COVER-UP too! Wow, who can you trust? How do you make a TERRIBLE show even worse? Yeah, Mike Farrell.

UFO Cover-Up?: Live! (1988) (TV)
Host: Mike Farrell

Vanishing Act (1986) TV Movie

Based on the play "Trap for a Single Man" by Robert Thomas, this is the story of a newly married woman who disappears while on holiday.

Vanishing Act (1986) TV Movie
Cast: Elliott Gould, Fred Gwynne, Graham Jarvis, Margot Kidder, Mike Farrell

Private Sessions (1985) TV Movie

Case files of a big-city psychotherapist. Apparently a pilot for a series that never came to fruition.

Private Sessions (1985) TV Movie

Cast: Denise Miller, Elias Koteas, Greg Evigan, Hope Lange, Kathryn Walker, Kelly McGillis, Kim Hunter, Maureen Stapleton, Mike Farrell, Robert Vaughn, Tom Bosley, Victor Garber

Choices of the Heart (1983) TV Movie

Choices of the Heart (aka In December the Roses Will Bloom Again) recounts the life and death of Irish lay missionary Jean Donovan. Together with three American nuns, the 27-year-old Donovan (here played by Melissa Gilbert) was murdered in El Salvador in 1980. Constructed in a complex flashback-flashforward style, the film shows how Donovan went from a selfish, materialistic girl to a champion of human rights. Martin Sheen plays the priest who is instrumental in Donovan's turnaround. The increasing demand for the US to withdraw its support of El Salvador's military-oriented government is a secondary but vital ingredient to the full dramatic impact of this made-for-TV movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Choices of the Heart (1983) TV Movie

Cast: Helen Hunt, Martin Sheen, Mary McCusker, Melissa Gilbert, Mike Farrell, Patrick Cassidy, Peter Horton, Rene Enriquez