When the Bough Breaks (1986): Cast & Plot
When the Bough Breaks is a 1986 drama thriller directed by Waris Hussein, starring Ted Danson as Alex, Richard Masur and Marcie Leeds. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Waris Hussein
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- TDF Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is When the Bough Breaks About?
The premise of When the Bough Breaks without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After testifying against a child molester, a Los Angeles psychiatrist finds the accused dead in his office, staged as a suicide. He retreats to the mountains, where a detective asks him to help a seven‑year‑old who witnessed her parents’ murder. Their probe uncovers a link to a group of powerful pedophiles, endangering both the child and the doctor.
When the Bough Breaks Themes & Keywords
· 4 tags- pedophile
- murder
- child molester
- based on novel
When the Bough Breaks Cast & Characters
Ted Danson leads the cast as Alex, with Richard Masur as Milo and Marcie Leeds as Melody Quinn. Directed by Waris Hussein; 33 actors are credited in all.
- Director Waris Hussein
-
Ted Danson as Alex -
Richard Masur as Milo - Marcie Leeds as Melody Quinn
-
David Huddleston as Vicar McCaffrey
Also Starring in When the Bough Breaks
· 29 more- Charles Lane Van der Graaf
- Danny De La Paz Raphael
- Scott Paulin Rick
- Paula Shaw Judge
- Lupe Ontiveros Cruz
- James Noble Dr. Warren Towle
- Rachel Ticotin Raquel Santos
- Ben Slack Arthur Gershman
- Lisa Blake Richards Agnes
- Kim Miyori Kim Hickle
- Jim Fitzpatrick Reporter #3
- David Byrd Larry / Owner
- Robert Covarrubias Andy
- Janet Rotblatt Secretary / Nurse
- Merritt Butrick Tim Kruger
- Tom Williams Stuart Hickle
Show all 33 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Norman Merrill Earl
- Jane Alden Ellen
- Barbara Sammeth Clerk #1
- Ed Morgan Judge Edwin Marks
- Deborah Harmon Lisa
- Frank Dent Harry
- Larry Gilman Reporter #2
- William Tucker Student
- Rocky Krakoff Rodney
- Louis Plante Guard
- May Quigley Clerk #2
- Dan Fauci Chief of Police
- Winship Cook Reporter #1
More from Waris Hussein
More films directed by Waris Hussein: Her Best Friend’s Husband, Sixth Happiness, A Child’s Wish and The Face on the Milk Carton.
When the Bough Breaks Plot Summary
What happens in When the Bough Breaks from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the opening backdrop, Alex Delaware Ted Danson is a renowned Los Angeles child psychologist who previously testified for the prosecution in the arraignment of an accused child molester whose young patients he had treated. The defendant’s release on bail sparks anger and distress among the victims’ families. Soon after, Delaware arrives at his office to find the man dead, apparently by suicide. The shocking turn leaves him shaken and burned out, prompting an early retirement to the mountains outside of Los Angeles to escape the pressures of his profession.
Full summary
The whole story of When the Bough Breaks, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know When the Bough Breaks?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Alex Delaware's profession?
Cars in When the Bough Breaks
23 cars on screen, including the 1986 BMW 635 CSi E24 and the Honda XR 250 R.
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1986 BMW 635 CSi E24 Main role -
Honda XR 250 R Important role -
1981 Chevrolet Impala Minor role -
1982 Dodge Diplomat Minor role
Seen When the Bough Breaks?
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When the Bough Breaks FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of When the Bough Breaks, each answered in a sentence.
How long is When the Bough Breaks?
When the Bough Breaks runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was When the Bough Breaks released?
When the Bough Breaks was released on October 12, 1986.
Who directed When the Bough Breaks?
When the Bough Breaks was directed by Waris Hussein.
More films by Waris Hussein Who is in the cast of When the Bough Breaks?
When the Bough Breaks stars Ted Danson as Alex, Richard Masur as Milo and Marcie Leeds as Melody Quinn, among 33 credited actors.
Does When the Bough Breaks have a post-credit scene?
No. When the Bough Breaks has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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