Call Me Anna
Call Me Anna is a 1990 American made-for-television biographical drama film directed by Gilbert Cates and written by John McGreevey. Based on the 1987 autobiography of the same name by Patty Duke (with Kenneth Turan), the film stars Duke as her adult self, chronicling her early career as a child actress, exploitation by her managers, struggles with bipolar disorder, and path to recovery and advocacy. It premiered on ABC on November 11, 1990.[1] The story depicts Duke's rise to fame, including her Academy Award-winning role as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker (1962) at age 16 and her starring turn in the sitcom The Patty Duke Show (1963–1966), juxtaposed against the abusive control by guardians John and Ethel Ross, leading to substance abuse and mental health challenges. The film explores her personal life, including marriages and motherhood, and professional resurgence in the 1980s, including her tenure as Screen Actors Guild president (1985–1988). Co-starring Timothy Carhart, Howard Hesseman, and Jenny Robertson as young Duke, it emphasizes themes of resilience and mental health awareness.[2] Receiving a mix of reviews for its emotional depth and Duke's authentic performance, the film aired to raise awareness about bipolar disorder, though it drew some criticism for melodramatic elements. It has an IMDb rating of 6.1/10.[3][1]Background and development
Source material
"Call Me Anna: The Autobiography of Patty Duke" was published in 1987 by Bantam Books as a hardcover first edition, co-authored by actress Patty Duke and film critic Kenneth Turan.[4][5] The memoir provides an intimate account of Duke's tumultuous life, serving as the primary source for the 1990 television film adaptation of the same name.[6] The book explores core themes of exploitation and trauma from Duke's early years, including the physical and emotional abuse she endured from her managers and surrogate guardians, John and Ethel Ross, who controlled her career starting at age seven.[7][6] It exposes the managers' role in the 1950s quiz show scandals, detailing how Duke, then 12 years old, was coached with answers to win $32,000 on The $64,000 Challenge in the spelling category, part of a broader rigging scheme that came to light in 1959.[8][9][10] Duke recounts her rapid ascent as a child star, highlighting key milestones such as her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for portraying Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker (1962) at age 16, an event directly adapted into the film's narrative.[6] Later sections address Duke's personal struggles, including her undiagnosed bipolar disorder—which she revealed publicly through the book after her 1982 diagnosis—multiple failed marriages, and the impact of these challenges on her life and career.[7][6] The autobiography also emphasizes her advocacy for mental health awareness, positioning her experiences as a call for greater understanding and support for those affected by similar issues.[7]Writing and pre-production
The screenplay for Call Me Anna was adapted from Patty Duke's 1987 autobiography of the same name, co-authored with film critic Kenneth Turan, by veteran television screenwriter John McGreevey.[3] McGreevey, known for his work on biographical dramas, transformed the memoir's personal revelations into a teleplay suitable for a made-for-TV format.[11] Patty Duke, who had publicly disclosed her struggles with manic depression in the book, served as co-producer to ensure the project highlighted mental health challenges and reduced associated stigma.[12] She emphasized that sharing such experiences was essential to counter fears of being seen as "unemployable" or "an oddball" due to mental illness.[12] Development of the film was reported in early 1990 as part of ABC's lineup for the 1990-91 season, with the network greenlighting it as a biographical drama.[13] Pre-production focused on assembling a team led by director and producer Gilbert Cates, who collaborated closely with Duke to maintain authenticity in portraying her life's key phases.[3] Key adaptation decisions included structuring the narrative chronologically around Duke's experiences, beginning with her 1950s childhood under exploitative managers, progressing through her rise as a child actress, and culminating in her 1980s diagnosis and path to recovery.[3] This approach prioritized emotional depth over exhaustive detail, drawing directly from the autobiography's themes of abuse, fame, and resilience.[14]Production
Casting
Patty Duke was cast in the lead role as her adult self, Anna Marie Duke (also known as Patty Duke), leveraging her personal experiences to bring authenticity to the autobiographical portrayal of her life struggles with mental illness and abuse.[1][3] As a co-producer on the film, Duke contributed to the overall production decisions, ensuring a realistic depiction of the events from her 1987 memoir.[15][16] To represent Duke at different life stages, Ari Meyers was selected to play the young child version of Patty Duke during her early career breakthroughs, while Jenny Robertson portrayed the young adult Patty navigating the pressures of stardom and personal turmoil.[15][3] Supporting roles included Howard Hesseman as John Ross, the abusive manager and guardian who exploited Duke; Deborah May as Ethel Ross, his wife and co-guardian; Timothy Carhart as Harry Falk, Duke's first husband; and Millie Perkins as Frances Duke, the actress's mother.[1][17] The casting emphasized performers capable of conveying the sensitive themes of emotional and psychological hardship central to the story.[18]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Patty Duke | Anna Marie Duke / Patty Duke (adult) |
| Ari Meyers | Patty Duke (child) |
| Jenny Robertson | Patty Duke (young adult) |
| Howard Hesseman | John Ross |
| Deborah May | Ethel Ross |
| Timothy Carhart | Harry Falk |
| Millie Perkins | Frances Duke |