Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase
Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase is an ABC-Network miniseries based on When Rabbit Howls, the autobiography of Truddi Chase, a woman who was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder who allegedly had 92 separate personalities.[1] The four-hour miniseries, which was directed by Lamont Johnson[2] stars Emmy winner Shelley Long as Truddi Chase. Tom Conti co-stars as her doctor. The miniseries aired on May 20 and 21, 1990 and Chase worked closely with screenwriter E. Jack Neuman to assure her autobiography was not compromised in its adaptation.[3] Voices Within also exists as a 1-hour 46 minute version.
| Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase | |
|---|---|
 Video Release | |
| Written by | Truddi Chase E. Jack Neuman |
| Directed by | Lamont Johnson |
| Starring | Shelley Long Tom Conti John Rubinstein |
| Music by | Charles Fox |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers | Martin Mickelson Harry R. Sherman Lamont Johnson |
| Cinematography | William Wages |
| Editor | Susan B. Browdy |
| Running time | 200 minutes |
| Production companies | New World Television ItzBinso Long Productions P.A. Productions |
| Distributor | ABC |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release |
|
Plot
Mean Joe is a large black man who protects the children. Sister Mary is a nun. Lady Catherine Tisseu is conservative and stiff. Ten-Four knows how to cut a business deal. These are just some of the 92 personalities that Truddi Chase came to refer to as "The Troops". These Troops first came to her rescue while, from the age two onward, she was sexually abused by her sadistic stepfather (Ernie Lively). In addition to torture and sexual abuse, the stepfather also battered Truddi's mother and chained a dog in their yard, withholding food and water until the canine finally died. As the torture and sexual abuse worsened, more Troops arrived to aid Truddi.
As a young woman, Truddi marries Norman (John Rubinstein), who she meets while working at an advertising agency. Eventually, they have a daughter, Paige. As Truddi's condition worsens, she seeks therapy to attempt to repair herself and her family. The miniseries begins with Truddi telephoning her therapist (Tom Conti) and telling him she has located her stepfather in upstate New York and is on her way to kill him.[4]
Cast
- Shelley Long as Truddi Chase
- Tom Conti as Doctor 'Stanley' Phillips
- Tiffany Ballenger as Truddi at 8
- Jon Beshara as Police
- Val Bettin as Playwright
- Kelly Brookman as Page at 8
- Irina Cashen as Truddi at 6
- Carl Ciarfalio as Colin
- Marian Collier as Operator
- Frank Converse as Peter Morgan
- Robert Costanzo as Fred Zarr
- Manuel DePina as Barkeep
- Brendan Dillon as Shannon
- Dale Dunham as Manager
- Susan Eisenberg as Stewardess
- David Fox-Brenton as Dr. Modarelli
- Alan Fudge as Albert Johnson
- Nancy Gormley as Airport
- John Hancock as Soloman
- Christine Healy as Sharon Barnes
- Miriam Johnson as Page at 15
- Jessie Jones as Scrub Nurse
- Guido Koock
- Melinda Kordich as Teacher
- Bennett Liss as Angry
- Ernie Lively as Truddi's Stepfather
- Joe Minjares as Mr. DiCola
- Melinda Peterson as Nurse Daphne
- Steven M. Porter as Hayes
- Jamie Rose as Truddi's Mother
- John Rubinstein as Norman De Roin
- Benjamin L. Scott as Harry Barnes (as Ben Scott)
- Nicholas Scott as Danny
- Wesley A. Starr as Wedding Minister
- Marsha Van Winkle as Doris
- Alisha Waite as Annie
- Lisa Watson as Page at 12
- Stephanie Watson as Page at 10
- Bruce Westphal as Funeral Minister
- J.D. Yarbrough as Client
References
- "Long, long way from 'Cheers". New Straits Times. October 2, 1992.
- "Lamont Johnson, Emmy-winning Director, Dies at 88". The New York Times. October 27, 2010.
- "Long Stretch, Gripping Role Earns Cheers". Delray Beach News. May 20, 1990.
- "Difficult Multi-Personality Role Played Expertly by Shelley Long". The Daily Gazette. May 19, 1990.