Empty Cradle
Encyclopedia
Empty Cradle is a 1993
television film directed by Paul Schneider
. The film is based on actual events, but the scenario has been fictionalized for entertainment purposes.
) is the mother of two children, Sally (Camilla Belle
) and Sam (Zachary Browne
), and pregnant of a third. She has been separated from her husband Bob (David Lansbury) for a while, who is desperate to win back his wife's affection. After being five days overdue, Jane goes into labor. Everything is going well, until she is suddenly sedated by a nurse, Rita Donahue (Kate Jackson
). Hours later, she regains consciousness, and the doctor informs her she went into labor prematurely and had a stillborn
. Noticing the amount of drugs that was in her body after the labor, he suspects that she is abusing medicine pills, which he thinks caused the premature birth.
Little does Jane know that Rita - with the help of her teenage son Patrick (Jonah Blechman
) - stole her baby daughter, and switched records on a stillborn and healthy child to make it appear as if Jane's baby was a stillborn. Rita faked a pregnancy for months to keep her drifting lover Frank (Don Yesso) from leaving her. When Frank, who is married to another woman - shows his disappointment that 'their' child is not a boy, Rita responds in anger, and immediately sets out to somehow get a baby boy as well. Sometime later, she announces that she is pregnant again, and poses under the assumed name Elaine Crisp to take care of a pregnant woman who will deliver a boy. When Rita finds out that the woman knows about her true identity, she instead gives labor of a 30-year-old woman named Theresa Richland (Elizabeth Daily
) in her home, cuts her throat, and steals her baby.
Meanwhile, Jane becomes convinced that she did not suffer a miscarriage, but instead of receiving support, her relatives and best friend Sharon (Michelle Joyner) believe that she is addicted to drugs and suffering from a depression, and suggest her to visit a psychiatrist. Even though she is estranging herself from everyone she knows, Jane continues to find out the truth and slowly recollects all the memories of her labor. In the hospital, she runs into Nurse Ramsey (Karmin Murcelo), who helped her with her labor before Rita stepped in. Ramsey admits that she remembers that her baby was alive and healthy when she last check up on her, but she is too afraid to support her theories. Therefore, Jane hires attorney Gail Huddle (Penny Johnson) to sue the hospital, only to find out her case is hopeless since her records have gone missing (due to Rita).
Back in the hospital, Detective Knoll (Eriq La Salle
) suspect Rita as Theresa's killer, because Theresa's boyfriend Tom Burke (Blake Gibbons
) identified her as her midwife. After giving him a false alibi, she instructs Patrick over the phone to give Knoll the same story if he is questioned. Nevertheless, Knoll instructs an examination, during which her doctor concludes that she has had a hysterectomy
over ten years ago and cannot give birth to children. Afterwards, Rita admits to the murder of Theresa and having stolen two babies, but refuses to tell who the first baby's mother is. Nonetheless, Knoll locates Jane, and happily reunites her with her daughter.
was not very enthusiastic about the film, it praised the cast: "Jackson, with a bravura role, turns in a multidimensional and textured performance -- complete with wiry demeanor, feverish eyes and jolts of scary temper. By contrast, Loughlin lends the show, directed by Paul Schneider, its requisite soft, matronly balance and all-purpose sympathy factor. Supporting player Jona Blechman, as Jackson's squirrelly accomplice of a teenage son, embroiders the edges of one of the more dysfunctional families imaginable.
1993 in film
The year 1993 in film involved many significant films, including the blockbuster hits Jurassic Park, The Fugitive and The Firm. -Events:...
television film directed by Paul Schneider
Paul Schneider (director)
Paul Schneider is an American film and television director. Some of his directorial credits include Baywatch, Beverly Hills, 90210, L.A. Law and JAG. He has also directed a number of television films.-External links:...
. The film is based on actual events, but the scenario has been fictionalized for entertainment purposes.
Plot
Jane Morgan (Lori LoughlinLori Loughlin
Lori Anne Loughlin is an American actress, best known for her role as Rebecca Donaldson-Katsopolis on the ABC sitcom Full House. As of 2011, she portrays the role of Debbie Wilson on 90210, the spin-off of Beverly Hills, 90210...
) is the mother of two children, Sally (Camilla Belle
Camilla Belle
Camilla Belle is an American actress. Her works include The Lost World: Jurassic Park, When a Stranger Calls, 10,000 BC, The Quiet, Push and Speedy Singhs.- Early life :...
) and Sam (Zachary Browne
Zachary Browne
Zachary Browne is an American television and film actor.Browne has had guest roles on ER, 7th Heaven, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, among other shows. He was also on 7th Heaven as Stan in 1997. He auditioned for the role of Marty Preston in Shiloh and the director was very impressed with Zachary...
), and pregnant of a third. She has been separated from her husband Bob (David Lansbury) for a while, who is desperate to win back his wife's affection. After being five days overdue, Jane goes into labor. Everything is going well, until she is suddenly sedated by a nurse, Rita Donahue (Kate Jackson
Kate Jackson
Kate Jackson is an American actress, director, and producer, perhaps best known for her role as Sabrina Duncan in the popular 1970s television series Charlie's Angels...
). Hours later, she regains consciousness, and the doctor informs her she went into labor prematurely and had a stillborn
Stillbirth
A stillbirth occurs when a fetus has died in the uterus. The Australian definition specifies that fetal death is termed a stillbirth after 20 weeks gestation or the fetus weighs more than . Once the fetus has died the mother still has contractions and remains undelivered. The term is often used in...
. Noticing the amount of drugs that was in her body after the labor, he suspects that she is abusing medicine pills, which he thinks caused the premature birth.
Little does Jane know that Rita - with the help of her teenage son Patrick (Jonah Blechman
Jonah Blechman
Jonah Ethan Blechman is an American actor. He has appeared in This Boy's Life with Leonardo DiCaprio and stars in Another Gay Movie alongside Johathan Chase and Michael Carbonaro and the sequel Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!.-Television:*Empty Cradle as Patrick*The Commish as Mikey...
) - stole her baby daughter, and switched records on a stillborn and healthy child to make it appear as if Jane's baby was a stillborn. Rita faked a pregnancy for months to keep her drifting lover Frank (Don Yesso) from leaving her. When Frank, who is married to another woman - shows his disappointment that 'their' child is not a boy, Rita responds in anger, and immediately sets out to somehow get a baby boy as well. Sometime later, she announces that she is pregnant again, and poses under the assumed name Elaine Crisp to take care of a pregnant woman who will deliver a boy. When Rita finds out that the woman knows about her true identity, she instead gives labor of a 30-year-old woman named Theresa Richland (Elizabeth Daily
Elizabeth Daily
Elizabeth Ann Guttman , better known by her stage names of Elizabeth Daily and E.G. Daily, is an American voice actress, actress, singer-songwriter, and musician...
) in her home, cuts her throat, and steals her baby.
Meanwhile, Jane becomes convinced that she did not suffer a miscarriage, but instead of receiving support, her relatives and best friend Sharon (Michelle Joyner) believe that she is addicted to drugs and suffering from a depression, and suggest her to visit a psychiatrist. Even though she is estranging herself from everyone she knows, Jane continues to find out the truth and slowly recollects all the memories of her labor. In the hospital, she runs into Nurse Ramsey (Karmin Murcelo), who helped her with her labor before Rita stepped in. Ramsey admits that she remembers that her baby was alive and healthy when she last check up on her, but she is too afraid to support her theories. Therefore, Jane hires attorney Gail Huddle (Penny Johnson) to sue the hospital, only to find out her case is hopeless since her records have gone missing (due to Rita).
Back in the hospital, Detective Knoll (Eriq La Salle
Eriq La Salle
Eriq La Salle is an American actor and director, known for his portrayals of Darryl in the 1988 comedy film Coming to America and Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC drama series ER.-Early life:...
) suspect Rita as Theresa's killer, because Theresa's boyfriend Tom Burke (Blake Gibbons
Blake Gibbons
Blake Gibbons is an American actor with a recurring role as Coleman on the long running Daytime television serial General Hospital.He also played "The Dude" in The Summer of George episode of Seinfeld....
) identified her as her midwife. After giving him a false alibi, she instructs Patrick over the phone to give Knoll the same story if he is questioned. Nevertheless, Knoll instructs an examination, during which her doctor concludes that she has had a hysterectomy
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total or partial...
over ten years ago and cannot give birth to children. Afterwards, Rita admits to the murder of Theresa and having stolen two babies, but refuses to tell who the first baby's mother is. Nonetheless, Knoll locates Jane, and happily reunites her with her daughter.
Cast
- Kate JacksonKate JacksonKate Jackson is an American actress, director, and producer, perhaps best known for her role as Sabrina Duncan in the popular 1970s television series Charlie's Angels...
as Rita Hohman Donahue - Lori LoughlinLori LoughlinLori Anne Loughlin is an American actress, best known for her role as Rebecca Donaldson-Katsopolis on the ABC sitcom Full House. As of 2011, she portrays the role of Debbie Wilson on 90210, the spin-off of Beverly Hills, 90210...
as Jane Morgan - Eriq La SalleEriq La SalleEriq La Salle is an American actor and director, known for his portrayals of Darryl in the 1988 comedy film Coming to America and Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC drama series ER.-Early life:...
as Detective Rick Knoll - David Lansbury as Bob Morgan
- Jonah BlechmanJonah BlechmanJonah Ethan Blechman is an American actor. He has appeared in This Boy's Life with Leonardo DiCaprio and stars in Another Gay Movie alongside Johathan Chase and Michael Carbonaro and the sequel Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!.-Television:*Empty Cradle as Patrick*The Commish as Mikey...
as Patrick - Penny Johnson as Gail Huddle
- Michelle Joyner as Sharon
- Camilla BelleCamilla BelleCamilla Belle is an American actress. Her works include The Lost World: Jurassic Park, When a Stranger Calls, 10,000 BC, The Quiet, Push and Speedy Singhs.- Early life :...
as Sally Morgan - Zachary BrowneZachary BrowneZachary Browne is an American television and film actor.Browne has had guest roles on ER, 7th Heaven, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, among other shows. He was also on 7th Heaven as Stan in 1997. He auditioned for the role of Marty Preston in Shiloh and the director was very impressed with Zachary...
as Sam Morgan - Elizabeth DailyElizabeth DailyElizabeth Ann Guttman , better known by her stage names of Elizabeth Daily and E.G. Daily, is an American voice actress, actress, singer-songwriter, and musician...
as Theresa Richland - Blake GibbonsBlake GibbonsBlake Gibbons is an American actor with a recurring role as Coleman on the long running Daytime television serial General Hospital.He also played "The Dude" in The Summer of George episode of Seinfeld....
as Tom Burke - Don Yesso as Frank Donahue
Reception
Even though VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
was not very enthusiastic about the film, it praised the cast: "Jackson, with a bravura role, turns in a multidimensional and textured performance -- complete with wiry demeanor, feverish eyes and jolts of scary temper. By contrast, Loughlin lends the show, directed by Paul Schneider, its requisite soft, matronly balance and all-purpose sympathy factor. Supporting player Jona Blechman, as Jackson's squirrelly accomplice of a teenage son, embroiders the edges of one of the more dysfunctional families imaginable.