Improper Channels

"Ever try communicating with a doctor... a lawyer... a computer?"

1981 1h 32m EN

🤯

8.5

MASTERPIECE

★8.5TMDB · 2

Comedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A father brings a young child to an emergency room to get treatment for a minor injury occurring in an innocent accident, but he gets accused of child abuse. Child welfare agencies commit grossly unfair over-reactions to remove the child forcibly from the Father, who must brave the arcane system to reclaim his daughter.

“Ever try communicating with a doctor... a lawyer... a computer?”

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Cast

Alan Arkin
Jeffery Martley
Mariette Hartley
Diana Martley
Monica Parker
Gloria Washburn
Harry Ditson
Harold Clevish
Sarah Stevens
Nancy Martley
Martin Yan
Sherman Hu
Tony Rosato
Dr. Arpenthaler
Joyce Gordon
Dr. Peacock

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Eric Till
Writers: Morrie Ruvinsky, Ian Sutherland, Adam Arkin
Languages: English
Countries: Canada, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

45 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Canada, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Eric Till, shot by Anthony B. Richmond. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Micky Erbe. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Thom Noble shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Alan Arkin and Mariette Hartley and Monica Parker carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Ever try communicating with a doctor... a lawyer... a computer?".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0082552 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Eric Till directs. Anthony B. Richmond behind the camera. Micky Erbe scores. Thom Noble cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Canada, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

145 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2International production across 2 countries: Canada, United States of America.
3Directed by Eric Till, shot by Anthony B. Richmond. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Micky Erbe. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Thom Noble shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Alan Arkin and Mariette Hartley and Monica Parker carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Ever try communicating with a doctor... a lawyer... a computer?".
8IMDB entry: tt0082552 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.