Chad Allen Movies
Actor/producer Chad Allen grew up in Hollywood, in the shadow of show business. A child actor from the age of four (when he appeared in a McDonald's commercial), he soon landed regular roles on series including Webster (1985-1986), Our House (1986-1988), and My Two Dads (1989-1990), in addition to a pivotal role on St. Elsewhere as the autistic and incommunicative child of Dr. Westphall (Ed Flanders), a boy whose delusions "created" St. Eligius. In the 1990s, Allen signed on to play Matthew Cooper, the adopted son of Dr. Michaela "Mike" Quinn on the western drama Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993-1998).Allen made headlines and then some beginning in 2001, when the thespian came out of the closet as a homosexual; in addition to embracing his status as a gay male (and discussing his orientation at length in a series of publications including The Advocate), he co-founded a production company, Mythgarden, devoted to dramatically expanding the number of LGBT themes explored in contemporary cinema and television. The Roman Catholic-raised actor stirred up some controversy in certain sectors when he signed on in 2005 to portray Nate Saint, a missionary murdered by Ecuadorian tribes, and Steve Saint, the missionary's son, in the inspirational religious drama End of the Spear (2005), though only because the feature found an audience among conservative evangelical audiences. In 2008, Allen produced and starred in the drama Save Me. The tale of a deeply confused gay man lured into a "Christian recovery center" by an evangelical couple, it critiqued conservative evangelical attitudes (and harsh hypocrisy) often directed toward the contemporary gay community. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The 1985 TV movie The Bad Seed is the second film version of Maxwell Anderson's 1956 Broadway play. Carrie Wells plays Rachel Penmark, a 9-year-old girl who is perfection itself--unless she's crossed or challenged. Several disturbing recent incidents have led Rachel's mother Christine (Blair Brown) to suspect that her child is a latent murderess. Upon discovering that she herself is the daughter of a convicted killer, Christine becomes convinced that sweet little Rhoda is a "bad seed"--an inherent killer who feels no remorse because she doesn't know any better. David Carradine co-stars as a moronic handyman who comes too close to Rhoda's secret to live, while Lynn Redgrave essays the Evelyn Varden role of Monica Breedlove, a garrulous landlady. Originally aired February 7, 1985, this version of The Bad Seed avoids the many cop-outs in the 1956 theatrical film version by retaining Maxwell Anderson's ironic final scene. Film historians will note that producers changed the title character's name from "Rhoda" to "Rachel" for this version, perhaps to lend the story a more contemporary feel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Adapted from a book by Joan Barthel, A Death in California is a harrowing two-part TV movie based on fact. Cheryl Ladd plays Hope Masters, a wealthy Beverly Hills woman who is forced to watch in mute horror as a criminal sociopath (Sam Elliot) murders her boyfriend (Granville Van Dusen). She is kidnapped by the killer and forced to accompany him on a long and grueling getaway trip. Despite repeated sexual assaults, Hope forms something of a bond with her kidnapper. He allows her to go free, but Hope's ordeal is far from over; when the killer is recaptured, both he and Hope are put on trial for murder. Despite the tawdry nature of the tale, Death in California is handled with taste and tact, allowing the weirder aspects of the case to speak for themselves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheryl Ladd, Sam Elliott, (more)
- 1985
The endurance of an upper-middle-class family is put to the test in this well-made television drama about drug abuse. Based on the book of the same name by Beth Polson, Viveka Davis (Shoot The Moon) stars as Susan Bowers, the teenage daughter of a successful surgeon (George Segal) and homemaker (Stockard Channing). When innocent-looking Susan's secret life as a druggie comes to light, her parents try anything and everything to get her clean. Unable to make any headway, they turn to a strict drug-treatment center, where streetwise counselors deal with tough kids on their own terms. The Bowers soon learn that their daughter's rehabilitation will not only be a long haul but also an exercise in family dynamic exploration. Young Davis is compelling as the rebellious daughter, and Channing and Segal are wholly believable as the bewildered parents. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
