Replacing Dad (1999) (TV)

Director:

Joyce Chopra

Writers (WGA):

Shelley Fraser Mickle (novel)
David J. Hill (teleplay)

Release Date:

14 March 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Linda and George live in a small town. He is the school principal. They are about to celebrate their 16th anniversary...

Plot Keywords:

Affair | Divorce | Family | Father | Human Relationship

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Mary McDonnell	...	Linda Marsh
William Russ	...	George Marsh
Jack Coleman	...	Dr. Mark Chandler
Erik von Detten	...	Drew
Camilla Belle	...	Mandy
Tippi Hedren	...	Dixie
Stephen Meadows	...	Charlie Pick
Cynthia Steele	...	Lucille
Michele Abrams	...	Ann Marie
Hayden Tank	...	Willie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Dempsey	...	Sid
Trent Dolan	...	Fisherman
Kate Frisina	...	Tommy's Mom
Sarah Hunley	...	Janelle
Lyle Kanouse	...	Pete
Jeanette Miller	...	Miss Pugh
Phaedra Neitzel	...	Partygoer
Megan Paul	...	Julie
Robb Reesman	...	Officer Ed
Christopher Riccio	...	Tommy
Clive Rosengren	...	Mayor
Charles C. Stevenson Jr.	...	Mr. Cheek
Pattie Tierce	...	Teacher
Rachel Winfree	...	Dottie
Shailene Woodley	...	Little Girl

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Arcadia, California, USA

Company:

Larry A. Thompson Productions

Trivia:

Filmed in 1997 but not broadcast until 1999.

Tippi Hedren steals the show!

I will admit it, I am biased when it comes to the legendary Tippi Hedren. Her star-making role came in Hitchcock's "The Birds", one of my favorite films and she was equally spell-binding in Hitch's "Marnie". But somehow I hadn't seen her in anything since her small walk-on-part in the 1990-thriller "Pacific Heights". Then suddenly one night when I'm watching Hallmark she literally jumps out at me healthier and more beautiful than ever, as the mother of Mary McDonnell. No offense to the latter but Hedren would be more credible as McDonnell's sister! I didn't know what to expect from this movie, but my first reaction was that it must have been made around the same time as "Pacific Heights", considering how great Hedren looked. Boy did she prove me wrong!

Considering the standards one is used to from any television drama about marriages falling apart, and the wife having to care for the children, this was surprisingly good. Mary McDonnell and William Russ deliver strong performances and the kids do a good job, but I must commend veteran director Joyce Chopra for appreciating the luxury it is for any film-maker to have Tippi Hedren in their movie. Her final scene on the beach is a brilliant example of a legends ability to mix both humor and tension in a convincing way. When will I see her back in a BIG motion picture, working for some hot-shot director?! Did you hear me Soderbergh, Fincher, Spielberg, Scorsese???

Go Tippi!