''Kids Don't Tell'' is a 1985 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...

about

child molestation Child sexual abuse (CSA), also called child molestation, is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include engaging in sexual activities with a child (whet ...

starring Michael Ontkean and

JoBeth Williams Margaret JoBeth Williams (born December 6, 1948) is an American actress. She rose to prominence appearing in such films as '' Kramer vs. Kramer'' (1979), '' Stir Crazy'' (1980), ''Poltergeist'' (1982), '' The Big Chill'' (1983), '' The Day After' ...

. The docudrama, which was directed by

Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People and fictional and mythical characters * Oscar (given name), including lists of people and fictional characters named Oscar, Óscar or Oskar * Oscar (footballer, born 1954), Brazilian footballer ...

-nominated film editor Sam O'Steen (''

Chinatown Chinatown ( zh, t=唐人街) is the catch-all name for an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside Greater China, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, O ...

'', ''

Postcards from the Edge ''Postcards from the Edge'' is the debut novel by the American actress and writer Carrie Fisher, first published in 1987. Based on Fisher's own experiences of fame and substance abuse, the semi-autobiographical novel was later adapted by Fisher ...

''), was broadcast on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

on March 5, 1985.

Plot

Driven by a duty to his young daughter (

Ari Meyers Ari Meyers is an American former actress. She played the role of Emma Jane McArdle in the television series '' Kate & Allie'' (1984). Early years Meyers was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Jewish American parents who were touring on the isla ...

), filmmaker John Ryan ( Michael Ontkean) agrees to produce a documentary on the sexual abuse of children in the American status quo. However, his loving wife Claudia (

) becomes increasingly despondent and troubled as the filmmaker immerses himself further into the project. Ryan obtains participation from a host of experts in the field, including a Los Angeles police detective (

Leo Rossi Leo Rossi (born June 26, 1946) is an American actor, writer and producer. He is a character actor known for his role as foul-mouthed EMT Vincent "Budd" Scarlotti in the 1981 horror film '' Halloween II'', as the serial killer Turkell from the ...

), who provides powerful insight into how the legal system fails, and a habitual molester ( Jordan Charney), who tells of his technique for choosing and assaulting his victims.

Cast

* Michael Ontkean as John Ryan *

as Claudia Ryan *

as Detective Rastelli * John Sanderford as Eli Davis *

as Nicky Ryan * Jordan Charney as Tatum * Robin Gammell as Dr. Houghton *

Shelley Morrison Shelley Morrison (born Rachel Mitrani; October 26, 1936 – December 1, 2019) was an American actress. Morrison was known for her role as maid Rosario Salazar in the NBC comedy ''Will & Grace'', which she played from 1999 to 2006. She was also ...

as Carol * Jean Bruce Scott as Clare * Matthew Faison as Evan Harris * Leaf Phoenix as Frankie * David S. Aaron as Waiter * Roger Askin as Man at Wedding * Judith Barsi as Jennifer Ryan * Gary Bayer as Speaker at Meeting * Earl Billings as Terry * Dennis Bowen as Ted * Sally Brown as Jill * Victor Campos as Dale * Diane Cary as Sandra Luce (as Diane Civita) * E.M. Fredric as Cocktail Waitress * Kristin Gamboa as Linda *

Mari Gorman Mari Gorman (September 1, 1944) is an American actress perhaps best known for her work in television, particularly as a frequent guest star on the 1970s and 1980s sitcom ''Barney Miller'', but she is also known for her theater acting. She has won ...

as Macy *

Nancy Lee Grahn Nancy Lee Grahn (born April 28, 1956) is an American actress known primarily for her work in daytime soap operas, portraying Julia Wainwright Capwell on '' Santa Barbara'' from 1985–93 and Alexis Davis on ''General Hospital'' since 1996. E ...

as Puppet Lady *

Natalie Gregory Natalie Gregory is an American former child actress. Early years Gregory is the daughter of Cliff and Linda Gregory. She has an older sister. Career She starred as Alice in the 1985 television film ''Alice in Wonderland''. Gregory has had ...

as Krista Mueller * David Kaufman as Kenny * Charles Lanyer as Scotty * Michael Laskin as Man at Park * Christopher Lofton as Charles * Oceana Marr as Mildred * Bob Minor as Pool Player * Milton Murrill as Detective Timmy * John Napierala as David * David Lloyd Nelson as Lyle * Greg Nourse as Bartender * Steve Pershing as Officer at Desk (as Stephen Pershing) * Branscombe Richmond as Pool Player * Jack Thibeau as Donny * Cori Wellins as Lisa * Jaleel White as Christofer * Barbra Rae as Daphne

References

External links

* {{Sam O'Steen 1985 television films 1985 films 1985 drama films CBS films American docudrama films Films scored by Fred Karlin Films set in Los Angeles Films shot in Los Angeles Films directed by Sam O'Steen American drama television films 1980s English-language films 1980s American films