A custody battle between a couple who never married results in California law redefining the term "parent" in the true-story-fictionalized "Thicker Than Blood: the LarryMcLinden Story." That groundbreaking court decision is hidden in a vidpic in which important points may have remained on the cutting-room floor.
Cast: Peter Strauss, Rachel Ticotin, Bob Dishy, Brenda Bazinet, Damir Andrei, Jacob Zelik Penn, Lynn Whitfield, Susan Hogan, Carolyn Dunn, John Robinson, Patricia Gage, Mark Wilson, Booth Savage, Maia Filar, Tara Charendoff, Gil Filar , Anthony Dean Rubes, Graham McPherson, Elizabeth Lennie, Marion Gilsenan, Ian Neeson, Sherry Miller, Suzanne Cyr, Victoria Snow, Janet Lo, T.W. Schroeder, John Nelles, Maureen MacRae, Ray Kahnert, Michael Gencher, Kevin Zegers, George Cox, Michelle Moffat, Jeffrey Snape.
A custody battle between a couple who never married results in California law redefining the term “parent” in the true-story-fictionalized “Thicker Than Blood: the LarryMcLinden Story.” That groundbreaking court decision is hidden in a vidpic in which important points may have remained on the cutting-room floor.
Securities broker McLinden (Peter Strauss) and Diane Middleton (Rachel Ticotin) are experiencing a rocky affair when Diane announces that she’s pregnant. “Is it mine?” asks Larry, who may not be too suave but may be, as it turns out, prescient.
When it’s discovered that infant Larry Jr. has traces of cocaine in his blood , the romance is over. Except Larry — now far more enthusiastic about parenthood — wants custody of the child, whom Diane has taken to Florida. Larry’s attorney (Lynn Whitfield) sues, and a custody arrangement is set up, which Diane soon breaks, explaining that her son needs more time with her. Then she marries David Meadows (Booth Savage), and tells Larry that the two will try to adopt Larry Jr.
As the fight drags on, Diane surprises everyone by suddenly claiming, contrary to everything she’d said before, that Larry is not the child’s biological father. Then things get really complicated.
Title and casting lead to belief that sympathy is supposed to be with McLinden, but in Judson Klinger’s diffuse script, Larry is dumb as a stump.
Some viewers may decide that the best choice would be for the court to assign Larry Jr. to a foster family. Instead, judge (Patricia Gage) comes up with a new term, “psychological father,” awarding Larry primary custody.
Everybody plays this in deadly earnest among generic Toronto locations. Michael Dinner’s rote direction shows no energy; tech credits are routine.
Thicker Than Blood: The Larry Mclinden Story
(Sun. (6), 9-11 p.m., CBS)
Production:
Filmed in Toronto by Alexander/Enright & Associates. Executive producers, Dan Enright, Les Alexander; co-executive producer, Harvey Kahn; producer, Julian Marks; co-producer, Judson Klinger; director, Michael Dinner; script, Klinger.
Crew:
Camera, Rene O'Hashi; editor, James Austin Stewart; production designer, Tony Hall; sound, Urmas Rosen; music, Johnny Harris.
Cast:
Cast: Peter Strauss, Rachel Ticotin, Bob Dishy, Brenda Bazinet, Damir Andrei, Jacob Zelik Penn, Lynn Whitfield, Susan Hogan, Carolyn Dunn, John Robinson, Patricia Gage, Mark Wilson, Booth Savage, Maia Filar, Tara Charendoff, Gil Filar , Anthony Dean Rubes, Graham McPherson, Elizabeth Lennie, Marion Gilsenan, Ian Neeson, Sherry Miller, Suzanne Cyr, Victoria Snow, Janet Lo, T.W. Schroeder, John Nelles, Maureen MacRae, Ray Kahnert, Michael Gencher, Kevin Zegers, George Cox, Michelle Moffat, Jeffrey Snape.
Popular on Variety
Why 'Toy Story 4' Character Forky Wasn't Named Sporky
Katie Keenan is joining Sky as head of acquisitions at Sky Cinema, and will oversee film deals for the pay-TV giant’s channels. Keenan is a seasoned buyer. Most recently she was at Viacom’s international division and acquiring programming for its free-TV Channel 5 operation in the U.K., as well as for cable channels including Comedy [...]
New York City felt the full power of pride on Monday, as Variety celebrated its inaugural issue devoted to the annual recognition of LGBTQ people worldwide. At an intimate gathering at lower east side Manhattan hotel The Orchid, rooftop bar Mr. Purple hosted Variety’s cover stars and luminaries for cocktails and the unveiling of the [...]
WWE and PP Sports have signed a new multi-year agreement that will keep WWE programming airing live in Mandarin in China. In the past three years of the partnership, PP Sports has delivered more than 300 episodes of WWE programming. PP Sports will offer “Raw,” “Smackdown” and the WWE Network as a subscription VOD service [...]
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched the first episode of “Years and Years.” Russell T. Davies’ “Years and Years” begins with the members of a seemingly average family in the U.K. being drawn into a televised interview with entrepreneur Vivenne Rook (played by Emma Thompson) who admits she doesn’t “give [...]
When Taylor Swift released her “You Need to Calm Down” music video, it seemed like every member of the LGBTQ in Hollywood was included — except for Billy Eichner. “I’m still not gay enough for Taylor Swift — or too gay — I don’t know what it is,” Eichner joked at Variety’s Power of Pride [...]
In today’s TV news roundup, ABC’s “Highwire Live in Times Square” tops Sunday night ratings, and “Total Bellas” has been renewed for a fifth season. DATES FX will air the special event “Peabody Presents: Stories of the Year” on July 7. The program will showcase the issues honored at the 78th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony [...]
The long-gestating third season of the “Scream” series is finally debuting–but not on its original network. Variety has confirmed that the series will air on VH1 instead of MTV as originally planned. “Scream” will debut on VH1 on July 8 and air two one-hour episodes back-to-back for three straight nights. The third season of the [...]
