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.
Crew
DirectorDavid Greene
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
Dana Still
Supervisor
Kaj-Erik Eriksen
Kid in Window (uncredited)
Michael Robinson
Sailor (uncredited)
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Keywords
small townchild abusecaliforniacustody battlegreat depressionbased on true storyremarriagemental institutionwidowersingle fathercarpenterdepression eradeath of wifefoster care1930schild welfarelost custodyheartbreaking and moving family dramaheartbreakingyoung children
Details
TMDb Votes
19
Added May 14, 2026Updated Jun 4, 2026