''Something About Amelia'' is a 1984
television film
A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
about
psychological trauma
Psychological trauma, mental trauma or psychotrauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or series of events, such as accidents, rape, or natural disasters. Reactions such as psychological shock and psychological denial are typical. ...
caused in a family by a father's
molestation
Sexual abuse or sex abuse, also referred to as molestation, is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another. Molestation often refers to an instance of sexual assau ...
of his daughter.
The film stars
Ted Danson
Edward Bridge "Ted" Danson III (born December 29, 1947) is an American actor. He achieved stardom playing the lead character Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom ''Cheers'', for which he received two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He ...
,
Glenn Close
Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress. Throughout her career spanning over four decades, Close has garnered numerous accolades, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards ...
,
Roxana Zal
Roxana Zal (born November 8, 1969) is an American former actress and fashion designer. In 1984, at the age of 14, she became the youngest Primetime Emmy Award winner for her title role in the television film ''Something About Amelia''.
Life and c ...
, and
Missy Francis
Melissa Ann Francis (born December 12, 1972) is an American television news personality who most recently appeared as an anchor and commentator for the Fox Business Network (FBN) and Fox News (FNC). Previously, she worked as an actress.
Prior t ...
.
[O'Connor, John J. (9 January 1984)]
TV: 'AMELIA' ON ABC A MOVIE ABOUT INCEST
''The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
''[Armstrong, Lois & Eric Estrin (16 January 1984)]
In a Controversial TV Movie, Teen Actress Roxana Zal Tackles a Taboo Subject—Incest
''People''
It was the most-watched network television show in the United States for the week of January 9–15, 1984.
[(18 January 1984)]
'Something About Amelia,' the made-for-TV movie about incest, carried...
''UPI''
It received eight
Emmy nominations in 1984, and won in three categories, for
Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special (
Leonard Goldberg
Leonard J. Goldberg (January 24, 1934 – December 4, 2019) was an American film and television producer. He had his own production company, Panda Productions (formerly Mandy Films, and earlier Daydream Productions when he was working with Jerr ...
/ Michele Rappaport),
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series (
Roxana Zal
Roxana Zal (born November 8, 1969) is an American former actress and fashion designer. In 1984, at the age of 14, she became the youngest Primetime Emmy Award winner for her title role in the television film ''Something About Amelia''.
Life and c ...
) and for
Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series or a Special (
William Hanley
William Hanley (October 22, 1931 – May 25, 2012) was an American playwright, novelist, and scriptwriter, born in Lorain, Ohio. Hanley wrote plays for the theatre, radio and television and published three novels in the 1970s. He was related to ...
).
[Something About Amelia An ABC Theatre Presentation](_blank)
emmys.com, Retrieved 27 September 2017
The movie was also nominated for four
Golden Globes
The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
and won two, for
Best Miniseries or Television Film and for
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television (
Ted Danson
Edward Bridge "Ted" Danson III (born December 29, 1947) is an American actor. He achieved stardom playing the lead character Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom ''Cheers'', for which he received two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He ...
).
[Something about Amelia](_blank)
Goldenglobes.com, Retrieved 27 September 1984
Plot summary
Shame and fear have kept Amelia Bennett silent about the sexual molestation she has been suffering at the hands of her father, Steven. But as Amelia starts to believe that Steven might harm her younger sibling in similar ways, she unburdens herself of her awful secret. Confronted with this horrifying piece of news, Steven's wife, Gail, refuses to believe it is true, and he professes his innocence. But as new details emerge, the family is shaken to its core.
Cast
*
Ted Danson
Edward Bridge "Ted" Danson III (born December 29, 1947) is an American actor. He achieved stardom playing the lead character Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom ''Cheers'', for which he received two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He ...
as Steven Bennett
*
Glenn Close
Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress. Throughout her career spanning over four decades, Close has garnered numerous accolades, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards ...
as Gail Bennett
*
Olivia Cole
Olivia Carlena Cole (November 26, 1942 – January 19, 2018) was an American actress, best known for her Emmy Award-winning role in the 1977 miniseries ''Roots''.
Early life and education
Cole was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of Ar ...
as Ruth Walters
*
Roxana Zal
Roxana Zal (born November 8, 1969) is an American former actress and fashion designer. In 1984, at the age of 14, she became the youngest Primetime Emmy Award winner for her title role in the television film ''Something About Amelia''.
Life and c ...
as Amelia Bennett
*
Lane Smith
Walter Lane Smith III (April 29, 1936 – June 13, 2005) was an American actor. His well-known roles included newspaper editor Perry White in the ABC series '' Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'', Walter Warner in ''Son in Law'', coll ...
as Officer Dealy
*
Jane Kaczmarek
Jane Frances Kaczmarek (; born December 21, 1955) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Malcolm's mother Lois on the Fox television sitcom ''Malcolm in the Middle'' (2000–2006), which earned her three Golden Globe nomination ...
as Mrs. Hall
*
Missy Francis
Melissa Ann Francis (born December 12, 1972) is an American television news personality who most recently appeared as an anchor and commentator for the Fox Business Network (FBN) and Fox News (FNC). Previously, she worked as an actress.
Prior t ...
as Beth Bennett
*
Kevin Conway as Dr. Kevin Farley
See also
*
1984 in film
The following is an overview of events in 1984 in film, including the highest-grossing films, award ceremonies and festivals, a list of films released and notable deaths.
The year's highest-grossing film in the United States and Canada was ''Be ...
*
1984 in American television
This article is a list of television-related events during 1984.
Events
Programs
*''20/20'' (1978–present)
*''60 Minutes'' (1968–present)
*''ABC's Wide World of Sports'' (1961–1998)
*'' Alice'' (1976–1985)
*''All My Children'' (1970– ...
*
Incest in film and television
References
External links
*
*
{{Navboxes
, title = Awards for ''Something About Amelia''
, list =
{{EmmyAward TelevisionMovie 1980–2000
{{Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film 1971–1999
1984 films
1984 television films
1984 drama films
ABC network original films
American drama television films
Best Miniseries or Television Movie Golden Globe winners
Films scored by Mark Snow
Films about child abuse
Films directed by Randa Haines
Incest in film
Incest in television
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie winners