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(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Martin Mickelson Harry R. Sherman Lamont Johnson |
| Cinematography | William Wages |
| Editor(s) | Susan B. Browdy |
| Running time | 200 minutes |
| Production company(s) | New World Television ItzBinso Long Productions P.A. Productions |
| Distributor | ABC |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
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 ... Truddi Chase
- Tom Conti ... Doctor 'Stanley' Phillips
- Tiffany Ballenger ... Truddi at 8
- Jon Beshara ... Police
- Val Bettin ... Playwright
- Kelly Brookman ... Page at 8
- Irina Cashen ... Truddi at 6
- Carl Ciarfalio ... Colin
- Marian Collier ... Operator
- Frank Converse ... Peter Morgan
- Robert Costanzo ... Fred Zarr
- Manuel DePina ... Barkeep
- Brendan Dillon ... Shannon
- Dale Dunham ... Manager
- Susan Eisenberg ... Stewardess
- David Fox-Brenton ... Dr. Modarelli
- Alan Fudge ... Albert Johnson
- Nancy Gormley ... Airport
- John Hancock ... Soloman
- Christine Healy ... Sharon Barnes
- Miriam Johnson ... Page at 15
- Jessie Jones ... Scrub Nurse
- Guido Koock
- Melinda Kordich ... Teacher
- Bennett Liss ... Angry
- Ernie Lively ... Truddi's Stepfather
- Joe Minjares ... Mr. DiCola
- Melinda Peterson ... Nurse Daphne
- Steven M. Porter ... Hayes
- Jamie Rose ... Truddi's Mother
- John Rubinstein ... Norman De Roin
- Benjamin L. Scott ... Harry Barnes (as Ben Scott)
- Nicholas Scott ... Danny
- Wesley A. Starr ... Wedding Minister
- Marsha Van Winkle ... Doris
- Alisha Waite ... Annie
- Lisa Watson ... Page at 12
- Stephanie Watson ... Page at 10
- Bruce Westphal ... Funeral Minister
- J.D. Yarbrough ... 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.