Call Me Anna (1990) (TV)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Gilbert Cates

Writers (WGA):

Patty Duke (book) and
Kenneth Turan (book) ...

Release Date:

11 November 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

Actress Patty Duke portrays herself in this autobiographical film that details her long-time struggle with mental illness. |

Plot Keywords:

Based On Book

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Patty Duke	...	Herself
Timothy Carhart	...	Harry
Howard Hesseman	...	John Ross
Deborah May	...	Ethel Ross
Ari Meyers	...	Patty Duke, as a youth
Millie Perkins	...	Frances Duke
Jenny Robertson	...	Patty, as a young adult
Arthur Taxier	...	John Astin
Matthew Perry	...	Desi Arnaz Jr
David Packer	...	Glenn Bell
Dana Gladstone	...	Fred Maxwell
Woody Eney	...	Fred Coe
François Giroday	...	Bob McLaren
Lora Staley	...	Anne Bancroft
Richard Fancy	...	Contract Lawyer

Also Known As:

Call Me Anna: The Patty Duke Story (Australia)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:M

Company:

Call Me Anna Company

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Intimate Portrait: Patty Duke" (2001)

If you still believe there is a stigma for seeking help for mental disorders...

Then you must see this film, to understand the reality. Having read the book, Ms. Duke is now an advocate for those afflicted with bipolar disorder; formerly labeled manic-depression.

It is hard to believe that in this day and age, people still critique others with emotional problems, or those who seek psychiatric help. Regressive and discriminatory thinking still exists, and this is unfortunate.

In this film, the audience sees the pain and suffering Ms. Duke had been through, especially as a child. Many of us may remember her from the teenage "Patty Duke Show". She was a household name in America by age 15.

You learn of her exploitation by the Ross'(well played by Howard Hesseman). As she was growing up in the 1950's, the stigma was in full-force. However, we see as she advances in her career, yet the illness becomes worse. She goes through bouts of substance abuse and promiscuity; even marries someone whom she divorces the next week; and she has several conflicts and tantrums with her children and elderly mother. All these problem occurred before she received adequate therapy, and medication.

A recent survey released by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) recorded that a majority of US adults fail to recognize most of the classic symptoms of bipolar disorder. It also was released that one in five respondents to the poll believed that people could CONTROL their illness without medication if they wanted to. (bp Magazine, Winter 2006) If you watch this film, you will learn the true story of a talented woman who could not "pull herself up by her bootstraps" and "get well" until she was educated about her disorder, and received proper treatment. Thank you, Ms. Duke, for being an advocate against ignorance and prejudice.