Dummy (1979)
- Director(s):
- Frank Perry
Member Rating
My RatingRent DVD by Mail
Theatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
Based on a true story, Dummy stars LeVar Burton as Donald Lang, a deaf-mute teenager accused of killing a prostitute. Paul Sorvino co-stars as Lowell Myers, the hearing-impaired public defender who takes Burton's case. The court, deciding that Lang is incompetent to stand trial, orders the boy to be shunted away to a mental institution. Doggedly following the evidence trail, Myers argues for "due process" in the treatment of his client. While the film's ending is upbeat, real life does not always turn out so well, as the ironic closing title (which details what has happened to Burton's character since this case was resolved) demonstrates. Initially telecast May 27, 1979, Dummy was adapted by Ernest Tidyman from his own book. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast:
- Patrick Billingsley - Dr. Morris
- LeVar Burton - Donald Lang
- Samantha Caulfield - Woman Expert
- Joe Clarke - Young Donald
- Burton Collins - 2nd Orderly
- Nathan Davis - Cop
- Rose Gregorio - Jean Markin
- Gregg Henry - Asst. DA Smith
- Jack Orend - Weary Worker
- Holly Robinson - Genettia Lang
- Paul Sorvino - Lowell Myers
- Ian Williams - Court Clerk
- Nancy Baird - Teacher
- Frankie Hill - Ernestine Williams
- James O'Reilly - Judge O'Mara
- Tricia Borha - Mrs. Lang
- Richard Cosentino - Dock Worker
- Bill Nigut - Chief Orderly
- Frank Heinrich - Male Resident
- J.J. Butler - Jury Foreman
- Wilbert Bradley - Bartender
- Paul Butler - Sgt. Alonzo Hobbs
- Jobe Cerny - Bailiff
- Lorenzo Clemons - 2nd Worker
- Paul Cook - Grand Jury Foreman
- Brian Dennehy - Ragoti
- Allen Hamilton - Dr. Romney
- Helen Martin - Mrs. Harrod
- Paula Preston - 1st Trustee
- Ira Rogers - Rev. Jamison
- James Spinks - Bar Patron
- Steven Williams - Julius Lang
- Bernard Chestleigh - Jail Guard
- Jonathan Pilurs - Detective Romain
- Ray Price - Black Giant
- Obilo - Husband
- Melody Robb - Case Worker
- Irma Riley - Black Hooker
- Yaumilton Brown - Card Player
- Director(s):
- Frank Perry
- Writer(s):
- Ernest Tidyman
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
