After the Promise (1987)

7.5/10 90 min Drama TV Movie

Overview

Elmer Jackson, a carpenter in a small Californian town in the 1930s, struggles to bring up his 4 young boys after the death of his wife. He is horrified when the government (citing trumped-up charges of parental neglect) places the boys into various foster homes and institutions, unaware of the abuse that boys would then be subjected to. The conditions imposed by the court and the difficulties caused by the Depression make Elmer's determined and vigorous quest to find his boys extremely difficult. His second wife helps him to regain custody.

Cast

Mark Harmon

Elmer Jackson

Diana Scarwid

Anna Jackson

Rosemary Dunsmore

Florence Jackson

Donnelly Rhodes

Dr. Northfield

Blu Mankuma

Jack

Janet Wright

Waitress

Mark Hildreth

Raymond 3

Stephen E. Miller

Ben

Ryan Francis

Wayne 2

Alex Diakun

Foreman

Pat Bermel

Patrolman

Alex Bruhanski

Hospital Cop

Linda Darlow

Welfare Officer

Kaj-Erik Eriksen

Kid in Window (uncredited)

Michael Robinson

Sailor (uncredited)

Recommendations

It's a Wonderful Life
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The Book of Henry
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Mommie Dearest
Short Term 12
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Radio Flyer
The Color Purple
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The Long, Hot Summer
To Kill a Mockingbird
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Starving in Suburbia