Daughter of the Mind

Ray Milland has been grieving his dead daughter, Mary. Now, oddly, she has begun appearing to him--and it seems so very real. As a result, he goes to see a parapsychologist (Don Murray)--perhaps he can help Milland figure out if he's going crazy or if the child really is trying to contact him. Along the way, they learn that a government agent (Ed Asner) is watching them--unsure if maybe, perhaps, these manifestations are the result of the work of a hostile nation. After all, Milland is a top cybernetics scientist--maybe someone is deliberately messing with his mind. I don't want to say more, as it might divulge where it's going next.

Overall, it's a very tense and interesting made for TV film. However, there are quite a few plot holes and the whole thing seems overly complicated and far-fetched. Some of the film relies on technology that isn't even possible today--more than 40 years later!! Still, it is entertaining and it's nice to see such an accomplished cast (also including Gene Tierney and John Carradine) in a TV movie that often has more light-weight actors!

By the way, Pamelyn Ferdin who plays Ray Milland's dead daughter, Mary, should be a very familiar face and voice if you grew up when I did. She played on a bazillion TV show, such as playing Felix's daughter on "The Odd Couple" and was the voice of Lucy in three Charlie Brown movies/TV shows. Also, there's a tiny role starring Virginia Christine as the housekeeper. You may recognize her as Mrs. Olsen--the Folger Coffee lady.

Like Curtis, this movie freaked me out when I was eight years old. I always thought that it was Cathy Silvers and tonight I was watching the 30 year reunion for Happy Days and thought, Let's Google!! Well, her filmography didn't list any TV shows (I would have never remembered Daughter of the Mind ) and found the Pamelyn Ferdin website and then ended up here. One of my life's greatest enigmas has been answered and now I plan to try and locate the movie from the vaults of Movie of the Week which gave rise to Mystery of the week which gave rise to McMillan and Wife, Columbo, The Night Stalker, and McCloud. Whew. Isn't the Internet wonderful?!!

I just came across this old TV movie of the week and after reviewing other reviews, it seems we all experienced the same thing in seeing this movie - we were all young when we first saw it, vividly remember the hand in the fishbowl and recall "daddy, daddy, daddy...." Whoever said films don't leave an impact?

Scientist Ray Milland believes he's seeing and speaking to his late young daughter in "Daughter of the Mind," also starring Gene Tierney and Don Murray.

I suspect this was a pilot for a series on psychic phenomenon that was to star Murray; hence the "guest starring" credits for Tierney and Milland.

This is an intriguing drama. Milland is a scientist involved in sensitive government work, and our side is convinced that the messages he's getting from his daughter to quit what he's doing - bringing into play the possibility of defection - are a conjurer's trick by the other side.

George MacCready, who plays Murray's boss, asks him to investigate. There are some sticking points for Murray. He sees the girl's image, he hears her voice - and then, during a séance, a wax replica of her hand appears in water, with verifiable fingerprints yet!

If these things aren't true, how are they being accomplished? John Carradine, who plays an expert in the field of séances and mediums, advises him, "You're going about it the wrong way. Don't ask if it was a trick. Ask yourself, if you were going to do it, how would you?"

Gene Tierney plays Milland's wife. 1969 was the last year she worked with the exception of one appearance in 1980. Though not Laura any longer, the blue eyes are beautiful and vibrant, her smile is lovely, and though illness has taken its toll, she is still beautiful.

Ray Milland is fine as the devastated father though his bad hairpiece is distracting. He lost his hair after a permanent he received for "Reap the Wild Wind," and eventually embraced baldness.

Pamelyn Ferdin, a popular child actress of the day, plays the daughter. All in all, a very interesting story.

That is what everyone seems to say that I know. We even brought it up at my 30th class reunion! I remember watching it (10 yrs old) and being petrified! But it's all relative. What was scary back then might be cheesy now. But I sure would love to see it again! I found a site called movielead.com that claims to have it but you have to write a request and leave your email, and someone will get back to you. Anyone ever hear of that site and if they are legit? Thank you to all who critiqued it and gave it high ratings. I think the Baby Boomer crowd appreciates this kind of stuff far more than the younger ones. Made for TV movies are sometimes the best, but the hardest to get a copy of!