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Love Is Never Silent

  • TV Movie
  • 1985
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
372
YOUR RATING
Mare Winningham, Phyllis Frelich, and Ed Waterstreet in Love Is Never Silent (1985)
Drama

Margaret Ryder has always looked after her deaf parents, Janice and Abel. Long the only contact her folks have had with the speaking world, Margaret struggles with whether she should strike ... Read allMargaret Ryder has always looked after her deaf parents, Janice and Abel. Long the only contact her folks have had with the speaking world, Margaret struggles with whether she should strike out on her own or not. When Margaret decides to make a change and ends up getting married,... Read allMargaret Ryder has always looked after her deaf parents, Janice and Abel. Long the only contact her folks have had with the speaking world, Margaret struggles with whether she should strike out on her own or not. When Margaret decides to make a change and ends up getting married, her parents interpret the move as a betrayal -- and Margaret is forced to figure out a wa... Read all

  • Director
    • Joseph Sargent
  • Writers
    • Darlene Craviotto
    • Joanne Greenberg
  • Stars
    • Mare Winningham
    • Cloris Leachman
    • Sid Caesar
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    372
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joseph Sargent
    • Writers
      • Darlene Craviotto
      • Joanne Greenberg
    • Stars
      • Mare Winningham
      • Cloris Leachman
      • Sid Caesar
    • 15User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations total

    Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast21

    Edit
    Mare Winningham
    Mare Winningham
    • Margaret Ryder
    Cloris Leachman
    Cloris Leachman
    • Mrs. Anglin
    Sid Caesar
    Sid Caesar
    • Mr. Petrakis
    Phyllis Frelich
    Phyllis Frelich
    • Janice Ryder
    Ed Waterstreet
    • Abel Ryder
    Fredric Lehne
    Fredric Lehne
    • William Anglin
    Mark Hildreth
    Mark Hildreth
    • Bradley Ryder
    Lou Fant
    • Reverend Maartens
    Julianna Fjeld
    • Barbara
    Jeremy Christall
    • Marshall Anglin
    Stephen E. Miller
    Stephen E. Miller
    • Driver
    Alex Diakun
    Alex Diakun
    • Funeral Director
    Greg Hayes
    • Neil Switzer
    Frank C. Turner
    Frank C. Turner
    • Mr. Frank
    Ted Stidder
    • Doctor
    Joseph Golland
    • Plant Manager
    Jackson Davies
    • Mr. Woods
    Jennifer Michas
    • Ester Cohen
    • Director
      • Joseph Sargent
    • Writers
      • Darlene Craviotto
      • Joanne Greenberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    8.1372
    1
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9blanche-2

    magnificent

    I saw this movie when it first debuted and I have never forgotten the vivid performances and how I cried. I was watching at someone else's house and couldn't hold back the tears. We kept saying "Emmys all around" at each commercial break!

    Mare Winningham is a phenomenal actress. The writing was superb. The scene with her mother, beautifully played by Phyllis Frelich, when her mother calls her selfish is one of the best scenes, bar NONE, that I have ever seen in my life. I cry just thinking about it.

    If you have an opportunity to see this film, don't miss it. You won't be sorry.
    9thowen1988

    Excellent TV movie

    "Love is Never Silent" is an emotional drama set in the 1930s and early 1940s. Unlike her parents, Margaret is not hearing impaired.

    Therefore, young Margaret often finds herself acting as a buffer and an interpreter for her deaf parents in the hearing world. As a result, Margaret's youthful innocence is lost at a very young age and often does not inform her parents of the rude comments people say to her parents.

    In addition, Margaret's parents, particularly her mother, become alarmed and angry when Margaret asserts her independence as she gets older.

    Friendly neighbor Mr. Petrakis is one of the few who fully understands Margaret's difficult circumstances.

    In the tradition of "It's a Wonderful Life", "Love is Never Silent" builds and sets the stage throughout the movie for the highly emotional scene towards the end of the film when Margaret finally stands up to her demanding parents.

    Mare Winningham is brilliant as Margaret. Sid Ceaser is convincing as Mr. Petrakis. Cloris Leachman is great in this rare departure from comedy.

    I highly recommend this emotional film.
    10Cher-5

    well portrayed

    The story of how Deaf people survived and how a hearing child coped with Deaf parents has never been portrayed as well as this tv movie did. As a deaf person, I was able to understand the frustration the parents went through and as the hearing child went through as if I was in her shoes. The era where Deafness was not well known and is not considered normal was portrayed well. I recommend everybody watch the show. You will come to understand that Deaf people are just like hearing people.
    8pinnedwings419

    My thoughts

    My ASL teacher played this movie for the class. I am taking a 2nd year signing course in high school. When I first heard about it, it didn't appeal to me that much. You know what they say though, don't judge a film by its summary. It's the content that matters *wink*. It was rather inspiring to me after I had watched it all the way through. I found it interesting in the way the late 1930's society was depicted in the treatment of Deaf people. It comes to show how far the Deaf community has progressed in the past seventy years. The actors were excellently portrayed. I hope everyone interested in ASL, taking ASL, or late Depression films gets to see this one.
    10Bronze

    It was great. That's all you can say about it.

    This truly is one of the most beautifully made films of the 80's. The directing was picture perfect and the performances by the actors was magnificent. Their work was extraordinary it is puzzling to me why none of them ever got any awards for their performances. Everyone was perfect right down to the extras. This movie is truly worth paying five dollars.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Ed Waterstreet, Phyllis Frelich and Lou Fant are veteran actors from, and founding members of, the National Theater of the Deaf.
    • Connections
      Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 9, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • American Sign Language
    • Also known as
      • Hallmark Hall of Fame: Love Is Never Silent (#35.1)
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada(location)
    • Production companies
      • Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
      • Marian Rees Associates
      • Telepictures Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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