Great acting. Pamela Bellwood is beautiful & talented and Mr. Foxworth knows how to translate every character to a convincing screen personality.Super, I really enjoyed it & a great but tragic real life experience. I hope Joan is happy wherever she is.
The first wife was gorgeous. I can’t believe her eyes were opened wide shut. She’s deserved better. I do believe the mistress plotted after the husband. He was an awful human being. All those sweet kids deserved better than a trash father.
Thats what she said , the husband was bad , the mistress plotted to get him abd the wife deserved better, he was a selfish bastard, leading double life getting what he wanted with no repercussions
@@rebeccamariabolton7131it’s really gross how women can see a man sleep with a teenager and then say the teen plotted all of it talk about hating women
Baby girl Sharon had more sense out of everyone in this whole movie!!! 😅 Lawd have mercy!!! SMH .. a child questioned, curious, and even confused. Signs of rejection, avoidance, and emotional abuse.! Tragic.. that man is low life, poor, irresponsible, and self centered.
Right?!! And it's so tragic that out of everyone Sharon is the one who paid. Ginny allowed Joan to raise Sharon as her own FOR ONE year! What did that unbonding do to Sharon?She had a sense of something being very wrong,
I’m not gonna be the cause of ruining your career, “so I’ll just sacrifice my body and life….Im unimportant!” So seem to be her beliefs. Oh I hate how women are belittled in our society. And look we just elected a convicted criminal over a woman. Same thing as with a Hillary. No one could fathom having a woman President. Well, let me tell you, Golda Meir, of Israel was terrific as have several other women leaders been. Many women are smarter than men, who mostly think with their wrong head.
I believe that some bad people can only understand how bad they are through the results of their behavior. This is a very good example of someone who tried very hard to convince himself of not being bad.
There is that song: "Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool, loving both of you is breaking all the rules..." Maybe it's not even love, but loving yourself too much and loving yourself wrong, don't you think? After all, love gives us the strength to do what is right and good, not only pleasant. 🕊️🕯️⚖️
I don't agree!! the son, had his values, mixed up!!!, he should have supported his mother, the victim!!! his father"" created multiple victims'', he was not the victim, he should not have been supported, reather made him accountable. The father also hurt his son, these men take no responsibility for their action, damaging so many people and want ''sympathy ' . He made his father to be the victim from al the broken lives he created.
Easy, certain women exploit the system by posing as single mothers to receive government assistance. They claim to live apart from the child's father, who is still actively involved in their lives, living in a separate address resulting in a situation where they receive more financial support while presenting themselves as struggling and crying poor. Despite the reality, they have a more comfortable lifestyle than many singles and pensioners. While I acknowledge that some single mothers genuinely need assistance and deserve support, it’s very frustrating to see others take advantage of the system, often having children with multiple partners - blended ridiculous families, while still collecting benefits. It's essential to recognise the difference between those who truly require help and those who manipulate the system for handouts.
His life seems like a mess. How did he become sole parent of his child. All 3 must have gone to court. He convinces his wife it’s over, he loves her, wants her to raise child and he gets an apartment for his mistress and is still seeing her. If he was going to support mistress, why couldn’t she parent her own child? He claims because he wants his daughter raised in a family setting but think he didn’t want to pay child support and he already had 3 kids and a stay at home wife. Or he could have divorced his wife, married her and they would have the “family setting” for his daughter. Something has to give. If he didn’t continue affair he wouldn’t be emotionally involved and he should have adopted baby legally. That would have ended her parental rights if that is what she wanted at that time. Little does the wife know he will still raise and see his daughter. Apparently his wife doesn’t see finances. Weird the mistress knows about the double life but not the wife. I think he gambled on the election because with almost 10 kids, two households and two wives, two stay at home moms, he needed the money. The mistress has no common sense. She calls his house at Christmas, goes to his political function, all for things that could be handled next time he shows up at the house. And then she messed up summer camp paperwork. So strange. What a shock for poor Sharon. Two families living two different class lifestyles. Since she was tagged to the main address, why it mattered but my first thought would be that maybe Joann was my mother. The wife is so clueless to put things together. Surely she didn’t forget Sharon.
Buying a kid a neglicee for Christmas seems wrong. If the wife answered phone on Christmas, that should have been a red flag for wife. Why hasn’t wife been to office and met girl. If I were married to a lawyer and got a call from secretary on Christmas morning and after call husband didn’t have to go in, red flag. There was absolutely no need to call on Christmas when they met up that following Monday. He was obsessed. He got so angry when she said she was leaving.
I think that there is a part in every married person, that wants to leave the possibility of unfaithfulness last on the list. To aknowledge that he had deceived - in the end -, and being aware of how her heart had been played, caused the divorce. The way she responded to the situation - from beginning to end -, from the moment Sharon found them, is a true example of dignity, love and maturity! 👏👍
Based on a true story. HIs actual name was William Beer, died in the 90's. Actually, his first wife didn't know about his other nine children until after the divorce. He did marry his mistress and remained with her until he passed.
Life imitates movies. There are many men who are married, but have a mistress and bears children with her. In some cases, the wife is aware of the mistress and accepts the affair/relationship because of financial reasons! Sad but true.
In the movie it is mentioned that he had seven children with his mistress, but in other sources it says he fathered nine kids with her, six daughters and three sons in Detroit, whom she saw on the weekends, while raising three sons with his wife during the week. Unbelievable that he could pull that off without the wife noticing. And why would a woman want to raise nine kids alone during the week....all sounds unrealiatic....
This is one of the reasons certain men marry certain wives, they are very naive and lovely because, in situations like this, they can get away with it. A stronger woman would not have allowed this to happen and if it did, he would have received the wrath nicely!!
Although he's behavior is not acceptable, at least he did his best to keep the children together and supporting them. The children should be thankful that at least he was there for them. He loved them and was good father even though he is a bigamist.
Sharon's death broke my heart, 😢I wish that didn't happen, she never should drive when having an emotional breakdown. That situation was out of her control.
Seemed like (at least in this movie) the mistress made him feel young and they were always having kids so she wouldn’t be lonely or without a family but he liked the prestige of his first wife and apparently she could maneuver his political side with dinner parties, they had the eloquent home and she was probably educated. It’s funny how Sharon and some of the other 7 kids looked older than the baby boy with Joann. Seems like by the time the truth came out, all 3 sons should have been grown. I’m surprised he didn’t lose his bar license. I wonder if finally the 6 kids and counting could finally have a normal life and get out in the world.
Not having all eggs in one basket always makes the families feel displaced. My brother had kids by both his first and second wife. His wives also had kids from other spouses. The kids did not turn out well at all and our family tree is a mess. Never have children by more than one spouse. 😮😮
The first wife was so dignified, I would have handled it much differently . I wouldn't have made it easy for him to run off to mistress and live with her . He got off lightly.
François Mitterand a french Président had a double life for years and anothet family also...it only all came out to the public when he died , about his double life.. i m sure it happens much more than we think...unfortunately
That mistress wasn’t loved properly as a child so when we he showed her love and affection she didn’t know how to break away, the fact that she kept giving him children and marrying him knowing he was married was a totally different animal she was mentally going through. That was something beyond me and understanding..
Im shocked for a man to force his wife who can't have any more children to take in his young mistresses baby and then to take that baby off her to give back to his mistress is reprehensible. I understand the mistress wanting her baby back becos she didn’t really want to give her up in the first place but then she shouldn't have got involved with a married man so shes just as reprehensible as he is
Sins of the father conflicted so many lives. The judge got caught between his lust, his love for his children, and his mistress. He failed to first acknowledge that he committed adultery against his wife. He continued his affair and ended up having six more children with his mistress, even after convincing his wife to help him rear the first child he had with his mistress for a while. Until the mistress wanted her child back. The judge was not strong enough to take a stand and leave the child in a stable environment with he and his wife; and end the affair with the mistress. Everybody received pieces of his time with him trying to maintain two separate families. Trying to love two is not easy to do. Everybody suffers.
@elayneblystone7889 Selfishness allows you to have your cake and eat it too. But before you finish eating the whole cake, you begin to choke and find it hard to chew.
Husband must have had a LOT of love to give ! 😮. What a liar,cheat, and manipulative narcissist…… I know what it is to be deceived by a man for many years,therefore never wanting to remarry because of trust issues , like Joan !
@carvalho4969 Yes. People don't realize the stigma of divorce and unmarried women having babies etc. Also contraception was still widely unused even in the 70s. Different times. So much has changed.
@@armeniaalves I've just been watching a true documentary about where man lead doubel life an he got done for fraud cause he spent all her money an her sister's
Love the movie, but it was SO irritating! Really? He has an affair with someone barely out of high school, then she gets pregnant, refuses to put the baby up for adoption, so he admits to his wife what has happened, the wife agrees to adopt the mistress's baby then just agrees to give her back no problem a year later!? then skip ahead all those years, the wife acts like oblivious when the older Sharon shows up on her doorstep, only putting two and two together when she hears the girl's companion call to her, "Sharon"! The whole thing was hard to believe though it did happen. I suppose hard to say if Joan really did NOT suspect anything. This was just a dramatization so maybe she was more aware than this movie portrays. The end scene with the son seemed heartfelt and fair but the judge really is more despicable than this movie makes him seem. Not only for taking advantage of practically a teenager but then setting up housekeeping with her nearby and going on to have MORE children with her? and why would that girl even do that herself? These people were so irresponsible, and the poor kids were all victims. ALL the adults should have bailed on this and known better!
This movie had me like how but the end had my heart in tears him more lesbian responsible for his daughter's death an what a loyal son he has not many kids would stand by their parent after what he did
Her husband is a creep his cheating on his first wife and got three kids with her. His poor wife didn't know her husband was cheating on her and liaring to her. His wife found out her husband had a mistress and he got 7 kids with his mistress.He hurt and betray his first wife and kids.She had the right to file for divorce and she deserves better guy then him. He is a bigmist that illegal and he should lock up in prison. The real victims is his first wife and his poor kid's they didn't deserve to suffer.
He sure was a pushover. His wife and children paid for his affair. And she was a piece of work. Not quite sure what the attraction was. The further into the movie I get, the angrier I get with him especially. Those poor kids! Especially Sharon. That poor girl!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This has nothing to do with him being a pushover. He felt like cheating on his wife, so he did. HE was the one that suggested he take her to dinner. HE was the one who decided to take her to the prom and HE was the one who leaned in and kissed HER, put his hands around her face and disrobed HER, so don't give me this innocent male garbage. Sick of these types getting away with murder
not to mention his expensive Christmas presents for her and him deliberately getting his wife out of the room and playing that he is saying something else to his secretary
Dont persecute me but though I Saw his weakness and his fault, I Saw a pushy young woman who interféred willingly in his marriage. I was kind of sorry for them all. Yes even for him. Otherwise hé was a great father and loved and tried to please thé women as best hé could. Too Bad hé gave in to his lust. Later hé was too vain ans greedy to resist getting that position and that was his final undoing. Hé Always wanting it all.
My husband have two wives. He's allowed to do that as a Muslim and by the law here. We all live happily. We get along well together. Married for almost 9 years now, I have no kids of my own..but I have four stepkids. They call me mama. I've spent so much wonderful time together with them & their mom. Their mom & me...we're like sisters. Not easy to have two families even if it's allowed & legal..especially managing your time. I can't be more grateful. How we can get along? Luck, sincerity, prayers, blessings..and ofcourse, God's will.
I hate man like these , my neighbor in Mexico had her husband and he came to the United States just for a while to make money, afterwards he went to Mexico every month of the year , just to leave her pregnant, because he had another family here in united states while my neighbor raised her children alone , when he was old his two families abandoned him and he was left along end sick, I grew up with her children , and my mom, my mom told me my neighbor storie.
Taking her to dinner was a red flag already. If he didn’t want her to eat fast food one time that most kids love, there was Grandys or a diner. Then offering to take her to prom and graduation. I think for graduation, it could be his whole family. She comes across as this strong person, doesn’t care about college, senior pictures, prom or graduation. If she is really living with an aunt, who’s to say she really doesn’t care but she seems very independent. Seems like if she really cared or wanted to go, she would regardless as she managed to get job without even being on the referral list. Prom came after graduation? Did he meet the aunt when he picked her up? Why didn’t he take her home instead of taking her back to office? Even if there were papers he Needed to look at, he should have taken her home first.
The beginning of this movie demonstrated a manipulative young woman who knew he had a wife and kids and was a rich man. He was a foolish older man who quickly forgot what a wonderful original family he had and abandoned them. This is the evil damage affairs cause. He was just as manipulative.
While they were both guilty due to the fact that Barbara Santino (the real mistress) was fully aware of his being married with kids, the social constructs of this time were backwards to say the least. Birth control was illegal (this actually happened in 1930 when they first had a child) as was abortion. She was only 19 and he 45 so there is a power imbalance. She felt chained to him, for whatever reason (her past and environment is what studies show as to why). Therapy and mental health wasn't a priority either. She felt like she could never do better. She had little skills as she stopped working. However, when the cat was let out of the bag, William Beer's wife, Dora, divorced him after 49 years. An ex client of the Judge filed a complaint that was denied. He was allowed to retire with benefits and no stain on his reputation. He even received awards. He ended up marrying Barbara and remained with her until his death in 1996. She passed in 2012. Her picture is online as is William and Dora. There is no evidence that they had a daughter that passed in a car accident so that part was probably fictionalized. Would Barbara have stayed with him if this happened in our current generation? I don't know. But at the age of 26, the brain is fully formed and she could have left and told the wife and authorities as well take responsibility for her part. I am just illustrating that William was attracted to a type, and this girl had just graduated high school, had no family, and was an easy target. But now, the fact she stayed all those years, they are both scum. I hope the kids were able to have a relationship with each other, though. Apparently Dora never remarried but I hope she dated and had a good life after leaving that parasite.
@ubeillin Thank you for the insight into this movie. It is hard to say then that this was based on a real story when it happened in 1930. As you have explained 1930 is very different to the late 1970's to 1980's. With this movie we can only respond to the year it was made in and what was depicted. I had never heard of this story being from Australia and I thank you for sharing it with us.
She's playing him right from the start. What a jerk. She knew exactly what she was doing. What does a lawyer have in common with someone like her with no education. He's a stupid lawyer. I hope when he passes the ex wife realizes she is eligible for part of his social security. And since ex wife has not remarried she'll get it.
Like most men. Just want their hand in women. Want to own and control them, when they can. Mine when he couldn’t control me anymore, he left, just as well, he was so selfish.
Men like to tell women what they want to hear, women (including myself) are so gullible. Words are easy, keeping promises is hard. I’m grossed out by this movie! 🤢
a big mistake taken her out for dinner. behind his wife, and she is a flirt>> he and she discussing personal things that is not professional personal is not part of the job description. This is so dangerous.
This is sad that it's based on a true story. I can't believe the mistress allowed him to do that to her and his other wife & family. That was her being very desperate.
I’m one minute in and already disgusted, what an awful man! She’s pregnant and he gets up and starts exercising. What a super selfish person! Nauseating. 🤮
Once again, beauty wins. He should have been fair, finished interviewing everyone and then made a sound decision. I think I would have asked the school about her not being on list, in case there was a valid reason he wasn’t aware of. When you are not attractive, you get turned away and told not on list, but when attractive, exceptions are made. In this movie she interviewed well what little of an interview that was and did seem skilled. She looks older than high school but talks like a high school kid
@@repentjesusiscomingsoon1529 I am not really sure; but you could be right. I think she was trapped and therefore was unable to see the reality or the other options in her life ..
Movie based in 1971, but a1980's car went zipping by at @2:40 I had to hit pause a couple of times but not too hard to spot. The dead give away was the extra brake light in the back window. And after reviewing it again, another 80's car was right behind it, I believe the first one was a Dodge Dynasty 4dr ( dark blue ) and the second one was a ( silver ) Oldsmobile 4dr. It's too bad directors did not care a little more about the details.
Film anachronisms can be found almost in any production, as it takes so much time and money to provide the correct props in the way of houses, furniture, costumes, food, road signs, advertising boards, slogans, radio/tv programs in the background etc! It can take a team of people to establish the facts and then to supply the correct items. The price of hiring the historicity appropriate items can tremendously increase the cost of the production. Sometimes people just make mistakes . Having worked on the props at a theatre, I know how consuming it can be. On the other hand, those anachronisms can become very interesting and can make the film very desirable for the eagle eye audiences, who pride themselves in spotting such gems. Some directors and producers don't have a clue about this aspect of the production.😊
@@E-Kat One film that comes to mind is that really botched up a scene was " Angel Eyes " from 2011. Jennifer Lopez starred in it. In the beginning it portrays her as a Chicago medic on a bridge at an accident scene, though I can see the Toronto skyline in the background, even though it's dark out if I recall. Then the origional Halloween from 1978, which portrays being set in Illinois state, though far in the background in a street shot, you can see tall palm trees found in LA.
@@davemilligan1171 that's so fantastic you were able to spot the both anachronisms and they're so baffling!! What were the producers thinking? 🤣 I'll look them up right away! Thanks for sharing. I keep seeing dry actors emerging from the water and often no one had even tried to make their clothes even damp. It can be received as insulting to the audiences but I'm always trying to have a laugh. The bad continuity is often so funny too. I can't remember the title of the film, but the character had left her flat carrying a red handbag and got to the lift with a blue handbag! Here I could not understand how the actress could not remember the colour of her handbag? The continuity person has a lot on his/her plate, but the actress should have been able to remember that. At least we have a laugh. Also they often forget that in the previous scene the jacket was already off but then it's miraculously back on again. Thanks again. 🙂
@@davemilligan1171 you must be a car enthusiast to notice that?... I guess they didn't figure technology would allow for rewinding and frame freezing back then.
This man is the master manipulator using women to satisfy his own needs , ensuring his own happiness disregarding all respect for traditions , religion and law under a “ cover of a responsible man ….” He uses his own wife to wipe out his despicable behavior and its consequences. Poor children … It’s disgusting that he may speak about morality …. No respect even for institutions Double marriage … “ I so swear “ “ don’t take these words lightly “….
He’s so manipulative. Disgusting. “I WANT US TO BRING UP MY CHILD! Wow. Unbelievable request. Absolutely nauseating. I hope his wife doesn’t agree to it.
MARRIED MEN IN POLYGAMIST MARRIAGE ARE MORE HAPPY THAN MARRIED MEN IN MONOGAMIST MARRIAGE ( WHEN A HUSBAND LOVES ANOTHER WOMAN THAN HIS WIFE. IF HE COULD MARRY A SECOND WIFE HE WOULD NOT BE SAD AND DEPRESSED.)
Great acting. Pamela Bellwood is beautiful & talented and Mr. Foxworth knows how to translate every character to a convincing screen personality.Super, I really enjoyed it & a great but tragic real life experience. I hope Joan is happy wherever she is.
Right? The acting's pretty impressive all around for a TV movie.
@@mharryvan5324 Iagree me to
The first wife was gorgeous. I can’t believe her eyes were opened wide shut. She’s deserved better. I do believe the mistress plotted after the husband. He was an awful human being. All those sweet kids deserved better than a trash father.
What is wrong with you. A grown ass man with his knowledge is a predator and a Paedophile. It’s sick 🤢 to think she plotted to be with him
Thats what she said , the husband was bad , the mistress plotted to get him abd the wife deserved better, he was a selfish bastard, leading double life getting what he wanted with no repercussions
@@rebeccamariabolton7131it’s really gross how women can see a man sleep with a teenager and then say the teen plotted all of it talk about hating women
gorgeous don't alaways mean anything to a mans testosterone
@@lollipop6311 pamela bellwood far from gorgeous, average looking
Baby girl Sharon had more sense out of everyone in this whole movie!!! 😅 Lawd have mercy!!! SMH .. a child questioned, curious, and even confused. Signs of rejection, avoidance, and emotional abuse.! Tragic.. that man is low life, poor, irresponsible, and self centered.
Right?!! And it's so tragic that out of everyone Sharon is the one who paid. Ginny allowed Joan to raise Sharon as her own FOR ONE year! What did that unbonding do to Sharon?She had a sense of something being very wrong,
@@R5000-f9qFareal!! N ppl really be going through stuff like this to!! A waste.. and disposable actions. This is sad!!
Oh the tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive.
Exacly
Good saying or excellent proverb
Not only others will fall in them and get hurt, but we ourselves. 🕯️⚖️
@@sarah5893Comes from a poem called Marmion written by Walter Scott. Commonly thought to come from Shakespeare's Macbeth.
The husband is a nut case. The mistress too. Crazy
That girl is not a senior in high school 🙄 she looks like a teacher
😂😂😂 lol that’s the same thing I thought
The actress was 26 when this movie was filmed. Better than having an actual 16-year-old. That would've been super creepy.
And the son looked 30 in high school.
😂😂😂 I said the same thing.
Everything that is in the darkness comes
To light .
So true...
Very insightful. Men lie…let’s face it. Not all but very men, at least all the ones I’ve known.
Why do they always buy their mistresses lingerie? What’s with it?
I’m not gonna be the cause of ruining your career, “so I’ll just sacrifice my body and life….Im unimportant!” So seem to be her beliefs. Oh I hate how women are belittled in our society.
And look we just elected a convicted criminal over a woman. Same thing as with a Hillary. No one could fathom having a woman President. Well, let me tell you, Golda Meir, of Israel was terrific as have several other women leaders been. Many women are smarter than men, who mostly think with their wrong head.
The sad thing about it is that it will be too late to change that which was done in darkness. 😢
I loved the movie. Its beautiful. Thank u so much for showing it. I love all the characters. How i wish i can wat h another one like this. .
I highly recommend "Deceived" drama 1991, with Goldie Hawn and John Heard. Hope you enjoy it.
He is a selfish man that hurt so many people by his wrong decisions !👎😢
I believe that some bad people can only understand how bad they are through the results of their behavior. This is a very good example of someone who tried very hard to convince himself of not being bad.
C ::vc:
So ridiculous that he took her to prom
VERY creepy!!!!
If Jenny is in high school then I’m going to space.
Hahaha, my thoughts exactly!
What married man takes his senior secretary to a prom? His wife pregnant at home. 😡
I heard the ride there starts at $200,000
And that cheap ragged wig. Couldn't the studio afford a better wig. And a high schooler....yeah right!😏
@@Mr60minor right
In real life, the judge had NINE children by his mistress.
Typical lifetime movie but it actually happened?? Ridiculous situation. This man is totally out of his mind. The two wives….I have no words.
Yes, and pain of their sin is given to children to pay of father's wrong judgement.Amen
Calling him on Christmas Day not such a great idea
There is that song: "Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool, loving both of you is breaking all the rules..." Maybe it's not even love, but loving yourself too much and loving yourself wrong, don't you think? After all, love gives us the strength to do what is right and good, not only pleasant. 🕊️🕯️⚖️
"I was just trying to do my best". Difficult situation. Great movie.
Great movie 🎬 thanks for the upload 👍
@@monarchblue7041 I agree
I Loved How His Oldest Son Came To Him,You Were There For Me Dad,Now I'm Here For You Heartfelt ❤😢
Yeah. The biggest takeaway of this film amidst all humanity's controversy
True 😊❤ I loved that
@@randyfitzpatrick8987 me too yep that was so sweet
I don't agree!! the son, had his values, mixed up!!!, he should have supported his mother, the victim!!! his father"" created multiple victims'', he was not the victim, he should not have been supported, reather made him accountable. The father also hurt his son, these men take no responsibility for their action, damaging so many people and want ''sympathy ' . He made his father to be the victim from al the broken lives he created.
@Doris-y5v It's Called Compassion For His Dad Period, Make No Mistake We All Know He Loves His Mother People Make Mistakes That's Life 🙏
How could he afford 10 kids? And how come his first wife did not get suspicious about the time he spend away from home and the missing money?⁷
Easy, certain women exploit the system by posing as single mothers to receive government assistance. They claim to live apart from the child's father, who is still actively involved in their lives, living in a separate address resulting in a situation where they receive more financial support while presenting themselves as struggling and crying poor. Despite the reality, they have a more comfortable lifestyle than many singles and pensioners.
While I acknowledge that some single mothers genuinely need assistance and deserve support, it’s very frustrating to see others take advantage of the system, often having children with multiple partners - blended ridiculous families, while still collecting benefits. It's essential to recognise the difference between those who truly require help and those who manipulate the system for handouts.
I know just crazy too sadly 😢
It is just stupydity...this man it is a perfect manipulative for this plesure...a narcisistic man
Some women are that gullible and leave all decision-making to their husband. That's how they get duped like that.
@@Greg16350they do because they don't know any different,their mom probably did the same
His life seems like a mess. How did he become sole parent of his child. All 3 must have gone to court. He convinces his wife it’s over, he loves her, wants her to raise child and he gets an apartment for his mistress and is still seeing her. If he was going to support mistress, why couldn’t she parent her own child? He claims because he wants his daughter raised in a family setting but think he didn’t want to pay child support and he already had 3 kids and a stay at home wife. Or he could have divorced his wife, married her and they would have the “family setting” for his daughter. Something has to give. If he didn’t continue affair he wouldn’t be emotionally involved and he should have adopted baby legally. That would have ended her parental rights if that is what she wanted at that time. Little does the wife know he will still raise and see his daughter. Apparently his wife doesn’t see finances. Weird the mistress knows about the double life but not the wife. I think he gambled on the election because with almost 10 kids, two households and two wives, two stay at home moms, he needed the money. The mistress has no common sense. She calls his house at Christmas, goes to his political function, all for things that could be handled next time he shows up at the house. And then she messed up summer camp paperwork. So strange. What a shock for poor Sharon. Two families living two different class lifestyles. Since she was tagged to the main address, why it mattered but my first thought would be that maybe Joann was my mother. The wife is so clueless to put things together. Surely she didn’t forget Sharon.
My ex husband had affairs. I was the wife. He had girlfriends. I'm so happy being single.
men that do this, there is no commitment to one person,
This movie has a great soundtrack.
I thought so, too! You have a good ear!😊
@Winsome-n4i So do you!
Buying a kid a neglicee for Christmas seems wrong. If the wife answered phone on Christmas, that should have been a red flag for wife. Why hasn’t wife been to office and met girl. If I were married to a lawyer and got a call from secretary on Christmas morning and after call husband didn’t have to go in, red flag. There was absolutely no need to call on Christmas when they met up that following Monday. He was obsessed. He got so angry when she said she was leaving.
I think that there is a part in every married person, that wants to leave the possibility of unfaithfulness last on the list. To aknowledge that he had deceived - in the end -,
and being aware of how her heart had been played, caused the divorce. The way she responded to the situation - from beginning to
end -, from the moment Sharon found them, is a true example of dignity, love and maturity! 👏👍
Despicable behaviour. Those poor children. Yet another bent judge who preached law and morality yet he got married when he knew it wasn’t even legal.
Just so horrible how he selfishly deprived ALL of his kids, not having ample time to spend with ANY of them, etc.!!!
Perfectly said...a man fuking arround...for plesure no moral behaviour
Exacly
Yes the children always end up suffering
Lawyers have a high rate of psychopathy and all judges are lawyers.
Based on a true story. HIs actual name was William Beer, died in the 90's. Actually, his first wife didn't know about his other nine children until after the divorce. He did marry his mistress and remained with her until he passed.
I'm halfway through and this is crazy but interesting. Nine kids?
It's exhausting @@limegreen90
He should have divorced and stayed with 2nd wife instead of living a lie.
Life imitates movies. There are many men who are married, but have a mistress and bears children with her. In some cases, the wife is aware of the mistress and accepts the affair/relationship because of financial reasons!
Sad but true.
@@limegreen90 ten. 3 with the wife. 7 with the mistress.
In the movie it is mentioned that he had seven children with his mistress, but in other sources it says he fathered nine kids with her, six daughters and three sons in Detroit, whom she saw on the weekends, while raising three sons with his wife during the week. Unbelievable that he could pull that off without the wife noticing. And why would a woman want to raise nine kids alone during the week....all sounds unrealiatic....
This is one of the reasons certain men marry certain wives, they are very naive and lovely because, in situations like this, they can get away with it. A stronger woman would not have allowed this to happen and if it did, he would have received the wrath nicely!!
Dang, he was a busy man, exhausting!!!
Busy and productive!
Although he's behavior is not acceptable, at least he did his best to keep the children together and supporting them. The children should be thankful that at least he was there for them. He loved them and was good father even though he is a bigamist.
" Preaching water while drinking wine itself"
The Secretary knew wat she was doin from the very beginning. 😅
Yet she's not theonewho said vows. This is on him 100 percent. He's the cheater.
@@coldasicee I think she's the cheater also!! It is immoral to date/sleep with a MARRIED MAN!!! It is shame to them both.
I agree
Sure,she was very provocative from the beginning
@@coldasiceeboth are at fault
Sharon's death broke my heart, 😢I wish that didn't happen, she never should drive when having an emotional breakdown. That situation was out of her control.
I think that part was fictionalized. I looked up the real story and nothing came up. Only that they actually had 9 kids, who all also had kids.
it feels like he loved the mistress a bit more and felt obligated to his wife, i mean this was all totally optional.
Seemed like (at least in this movie) the mistress made him feel young and they were always having kids so she wouldn’t be lonely or without a family but he liked the prestige of his first wife and apparently she could maneuver his political side with dinner parties, they had the eloquent home and she was probably educated. It’s funny how Sharon and some of the other 7 kids looked older than the baby boy with Joann. Seems like by the time the truth came out, all 3 sons should have been grown. I’m surprised he didn’t lose his bar license. I wonder if finally the 6 kids and counting could finally have a normal life and get out in the world.
You don't know love when you see it
This was power, control,abd gas light.
Not having all eggs in one basket always makes the families feel displaced. My brother had kids by both his first and second wife. His wives also had kids from other spouses. The kids did not turn out well at all and our family tree is a mess. Never have children by more than one spouse. 😮😮
Unless of course, you're wrong, and it's just your short sightedness and screwy family that's messed up!😂😂
Yeah the multiple, neglected children all over the place is a mess. No wonder many of the youth don’t value marriage and the nuclear family.
The first wife was so dignified, I would have handled it much differently . I wouldn't have made it easy for him to run off to mistress and live with her . He got off lightly.
François Mitterand a french Président had a double life for years and anothet family also...it only all came out to the public when he died , about his double life.. i m sure it happens much more than we think...unfortunately
Easy to accuse someone once he is gone.
That mistress wasn’t loved properly as a child so when we he showed her love and affection she didn’t know how to break away, the fact that she kept giving him children and marrying him knowing he was married was a totally different animal she was mentally going through. That was something beyond me and understanding..
Yes ,it makes sense 😢
No excuses!
@ I agree I totally get it, and shout out to you I’m a ARIES ♈️ ❤️
Im shocked for a man to force his wife who can't have any more children to take in his young mistresses baby and then to take that baby off her to give back to his mistress is reprehensible. I understand the mistress wanting her baby back becos she didn’t really want to give her up in the first place but then she shouldn't have got involved with a married man so shes just as reprehensible as he is
The real events took place in Michigan, starting in the mid 40s. Former Judge William Beer.
Sins of the father conflicted so many lives. The judge got caught between his lust, his love for his children, and his mistress. He failed to first acknowledge that he committed adultery against his wife. He continued his affair and ended up having six more children with his mistress, even after convincing his wife to help him rear the first child he had with his mistress for a while. Until the mistress wanted her child back. The judge was not strong enough to take a stand and leave the child in a stable environment with he and his wife; and end the affair with the mistress. Everybody received pieces of his time with him trying to maintain two separate families. Trying to love two is not easy to do. Everybody suffers.
Delusiona,l selfish; cake and n and eat it too!😮
@elayneblystone7889 Selfishness allows you to have your cake and eat it too. But before you finish eating the whole cake, you begin to choke and find it hard to chew.
I don't even need to watch the movie now after reading some comments lol
As much as I wanted to I had to NOT read comments before watching any movie. Lol
Good film, never read the comments before you've watched
Husband must have had a LOT of love to give ! 😮. What a liar,cheat, and manipulative narcissist…… I know what it is to be deceived by a man for many years,therefore never wanting to remarry because of trust issues , like Joan !
I have trust issues also.
I knew someone whose husband had two families. Heartbreaking.
It was very common in old times 😂
@carvalho4969 Yes. People don't realize the stigma of divorce and unmarried women having babies etc. Also contraception was still widely unused even in the 70s. Different times. So much has changed.
@@armeniaalves I've just been watching a true documentary about where man lead doubel life an he got done for fraud cause he spent all her money an her sister's
@@aussiemouth747and they were Catholics to boot.
So sad
Love the movie, but it was SO irritating! Really? He has an affair with someone barely out of high school, then she gets pregnant, refuses to put the baby up for adoption, so he admits to his wife what has happened, the wife agrees to adopt the mistress's baby then just agrees to give her back no problem a year later!? then skip ahead all those years, the wife acts like oblivious when the older Sharon shows up on her doorstep, only putting two and two together when she hears the girl's companion call to her, "Sharon"! The whole thing was hard to believe though it did happen. I suppose hard to say if Joan really did NOT suspect anything. This was just a dramatization so maybe she was more aware than this movie portrays. The end scene with the son seemed heartfelt and fair but the judge really is more despicable than this movie makes him seem. Not only for taking advantage of practically a teenager but then setting up housekeeping with her nearby and going on to have MORE children with her? and why would that girl even do that herself? These people were so irresponsible, and the poor kids were all victims. ALL the adults should have bailed on this and known better!
Things were different then. I was born in the 50s. The world has changed so much.
This movie had me like how but the end had my heart in tears him more lesbian responsible for his daughter's death an what a loyal son he has not many kids would stand by their parent after what he did
Her husband is a creep his cheating on his first wife and got three kids with her. His poor wife didn't know her husband was cheating on her and liaring to her. His wife found out her husband had a mistress and he got 7 kids with his mistress.He hurt and betray his first wife and kids.She had the right to file for divorce and she deserves better guy then him. He is a bigmist that illegal and he should lock up in prison. The real victims is his first wife and his poor kid's they didn't deserve to suffer.
His first wife does deserve so much better than this jerk
The mistress is as much to blame as he is
Sharon is the best actor in the entire movie !.. And yet she’s the least known
@@amg8497She played Natalie in that movie starring Kristy McNichol: Love, Mary.
Agree. Foxworth is very wooden. Always was.
This movie shouldn’t be called double standard, it’s more like, double life!
He sure was a pushover. His wife and children paid for his affair. And she was a piece of work. Not quite sure what the attraction was. The further into the movie I get, the angrier I get with him especially. Those poor kids! Especially Sharon. That poor girl!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This has nothing to do with him being a pushover. He felt like cheating on his wife, so he did. HE was the one that suggested he take her to dinner. HE was the one who decided to take her to the prom and HE was the one who leaned in and kissed HER, put his hands around her face and disrobed HER, so don't give me this innocent male garbage. Sick of these types getting away with murder
not to mention his expensive Christmas presents for her and him deliberately getting his wife out of the room and playing that he is saying something else to his secretary
@@fairmaiden6472good poin ...he is ghilty only him...😮
😊😊😊😊
Dont persecute me but though I Saw his weakness and his fault, I Saw a pushy young woman who interféred willingly in his marriage. I was kind of sorry for them all. Yes even for him. Otherwise hé was a great father and loved and tried to please thé women as best hé could. Too Bad hé gave in to his lust. Later hé was too vain ans greedy to resist getting that position and that was his final undoing. Hé Always wanting it all.
Omg, what in the world. The Thanksgiving supper, this man was busy!!
saying 'omg ' is disrespectful and a sin . "you shall not use my name in vain'' Exodus 20
My nan used to say 'Oh what a tangled Web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. ' Poor Sharon
Your nan was quoting Shakespeare. i hope she knew that.
My husband have two wives. He's allowed to do that as a Muslim and by the law here. We all live happily. We get along well together. Married for almost 9 years now, I have no kids of my own..but I have four stepkids. They call me mama. I've spent so much wonderful time together with them & their mom. Their mom & me...we're like sisters. Not easy to have two families even if it's allowed & legal..especially managing your time. I can't be more grateful. How we can get along? Luck, sincerity, prayers, blessings..and ofcourse, God's will.
COWARD! COWARD! COWARD! A thousand times COWARD Lenny Harik.😡🤬😡🤬🤬🤬😕🤬. So sorry about Sharon. What a horrid way to go 💔😭
Come on! He was not so bad. You know that.
I don't think i could forgive him. Manipulative narcisist.
A total selfish narcissist
@@coldasicee Amen, he hurt SO many people!!!
I hate man like these , my neighbor in Mexico had her husband and he came to the United States just for a while to make money, afterwards he went to Mexico every month of the year , just to leave her pregnant, because he had another family here in united states while my neighbor raised her children alone , when he was old his two families abandoned him and he was left along end sick, I grew up with her children , and my mom, my mom told me my neighbor storie.
He's despicable & hateful. And the mistress too. They deserve each other
Taking her to dinner was a red flag already. If he didn’t want her to eat fast food one time that most kids love, there was Grandys or a diner. Then offering to take her to prom and graduation. I think for graduation, it could be his whole family. She comes across as this strong person, doesn’t care about college, senior pictures, prom or graduation. If she is really living with an aunt, who’s to say she really doesn’t care but she seems very independent. Seems like if she really cared or wanted to go, she would regardless as she managed to get job without even being on the referral list. Prom came after graduation? Did he meet the aunt when he picked her up? Why didn’t he take her home instead of taking her back to office? Even if there were papers he Needed to look at, he should have taken her home first.
It was pretending to have sex with her
The beginning of this movie demonstrated a manipulative young woman who knew he had a wife and kids and was a rich man. He was a foolish older man who quickly forgot what a wonderful original family he had and abandoned them. This is the evil damage affairs cause. He was just as manipulative.
Really! 🥺
@carvalho4969 Yes, really.
these men don't care for women they care about their lust
While they were both guilty due to the fact that Barbara Santino (the real mistress) was fully aware of his being married with kids, the social constructs of this time were backwards to say the least. Birth control was illegal (this actually happened in 1930 when they first had a child) as was abortion. She was only 19 and he 45 so there is a power imbalance. She felt chained to him, for whatever reason (her past and environment is what studies show as to why). Therapy and mental health wasn't a priority either. She felt like she could never do better. She had little skills as she stopped working.
However, when the cat was let out of the bag, William Beer's wife, Dora, divorced him after 49 years. An ex client of the Judge filed a complaint that was denied. He was allowed to retire with benefits and no stain on his reputation. He even received awards. He ended up marrying Barbara and remained with her until his death in 1996. She passed in 2012. Her picture is online as is William and Dora. There is no evidence that they had a daughter that passed in a car accident so that part was probably fictionalized.
Would Barbara have stayed with him if this happened in our current generation? I don't know. But at the age of 26, the brain is fully formed and she could have left and told the wife and authorities as well take responsibility for her part. I am just illustrating that William was attracted to a type, and this girl had just graduated high school, had no family, and was an easy target. But now, the fact she stayed all those years, they are both scum. I hope the kids were able to have a relationship with each other, though. Apparently Dora never remarried but I hope she dated and had a good life after leaving that parasite.
@ubeillin Thank you for the insight into this movie. It is hard to say then that this was based on a real story when it happened in 1930. As you have explained 1930 is very different to the late 1970's to 1980's. With this movie we can only respond to the year it was made in and what was depicted. I had never heard of this story being from Australia and I thank you for sharing it with us.
THX 4 the story . What a weak man . Being nice isnt always the way ! . That selfish mother is hurting that girl
poor 1st wife what a betrayal and huge lie !!!
She's playing him right from the start. What a jerk. She knew exactly what she was doing. What does a lawyer have in common with someone like her with no education. He's a stupid lawyer. I hope when he passes the ex wife realizes she is eligible for part of his social security. And since ex wife has not remarried she'll get it.
He got off way to easy. His selfishness cost a lot. No character. . Narcissist. Great job to the actors producers everyone. Very convincing.
All kids beautiful 😍
Great movie
Very low quality of sound. I just watched and guessed most of the movie😅
Sharpening those inferred reading skills
Then the ads come on and blasted my eardrums 😂
@@shonabeggs4640 correct 😂
@@shonabeggs4640 yes geeez 😂
@@shonabeggs4640😂😂
Very good, but very sad movie!!!!!!!- ALMOST!!!!!!!!! - Most, all all men , today,( i wrote: ALMOST !), are like this one !!!!!!!!!
Not almost, some.
I can forgive a lot of transgressions, though being unfaithful certainly isn't one of them , though mind games are even worse 😳
Thank you!!!!
Interesting take on family in earlier times. It's has been so common for med to have a double family...
That was a pretty gutsy interview by Jenny. Don’t think he cared about any recommendations she brought. He just wanted her,body and all.
Like most men. Just want their hand in women. Want to own and control them, when they can. Mine when he couldn’t control me anymore, he left, just as well, he was so selfish.
Men like to tell women what they want to hear, women (including myself) are so gullible. Words are easy, keeping promises is hard. I’m grossed out by this movie! 🤢
So typical!
Very good movie.
a big mistake taken her out for dinner. behind his wife, and she is a flirt>> he and she discussing personal things that is not professional personal is not part of the job description. This is so dangerous.
Yes. He was up for it the moment he set eyes on her.
Indeed there is no peace for the wicked.. always looking over not to be discovered..
At 50.31 Sheena Easton singing here I come again. She was married to Prince for a while back in the 80's
I always thought that was Dolly Parton 😆
@@smoochiehubscher8178 it was Dolly Parton.
So ridiculous she was raising the girl in the beginning. 😢
She so naive, like most of women. Thats why men do whatever they want.
This is sad that it's based on a true story. I can't believe the mistress allowed him to do that to her and his other wife & family. That was her being very desperate.
I’m one minute in and already disgusted, what an awful man! She’s pregnant and he gets up and starts exercising. What a super selfish person! Nauseating. 🤮
He said it’s all his fault, yes it is…
He in love with both mothers of his children… so sad😢
how could this situation last so long, it's hard to believe
That girl was over in her reaction. Even his wives didn't react this way
Good movie
Very good ,movieee 🎉🥳🎈😊👍
That high schooler is at least around 30 Bruh
Most people in HS looked older back then
My thoughts exactly
I'm not sure she looks 30 but definitely too old to be going to an high school prom
THE BEAR!!!
Seven children.
Well, at least, it's a lucky number!
"And here, you come again.
And here I go..."
NOT AGAIN!!!
Once again, beauty wins. He should have been fair, finished interviewing everyone and then made a sound decision. I think I would have asked the school about her not being on list, in case there was a valid reason he wasn’t aware of. When you are not attractive, you get turned away and told not on list, but when attractive, exceptions are made. In this movie she interviewed well what little of an interview that was and did seem skilled. She looks older than high school but talks like a high school kid
A middle aged judge takes a senior high school girl to a prom? 😂😂😂
He did have ethics in his way, he loved two women and all the children.
He should have been transparent about it from the outset though.
that is not love, betraying people, hurting those children' s is their history for ever, that is damaging their lives and hurting ,them is not love.
The wife must haven been so stupid to not have noticed all this over the years ...
Not stupid. It's called betrayal blindness. Google, it's a thing and happens more often than we think.
Mistress she is crazy to bring more children to his world 🌍 knowing the guy is married 😮
@@sbella6719 You might be right; but I don't understand how she could live all those years with him and not knowing???
She was probably in denial.
@@repentjesusiscomingsoon1529 I am not really sure; but you could be right. I think she was trapped and therefore was unable to see the reality or the other options in her life ..
He lied, an adoption doesn't have to go through a judge. It's one piece of paper a lawyer draws up. You sign and that's it.
Movie based in 1971, but a1980's car went zipping by at @2:40 I had to hit pause a couple of times but not too hard to spot. The dead give away was the extra brake light in the back window. And after reviewing it again, another 80's car was right behind it, I believe the first one was a Dodge Dynasty 4dr ( dark blue ) and the second one was a ( silver ) Oldsmobile 4dr. It's too bad directors did not care a little more about the details.
Wow! Eagle's eyes!
Film anachronisms can be found almost in any production, as it takes so much time and money to provide the correct props in the way of houses, furniture, costumes, food, road signs, advertising boards, slogans, radio/tv programs in the background etc!
It can take a team of people to establish the facts and then to supply the correct items.
The price of hiring the historicity appropriate items can tremendously increase the cost of the production.
Sometimes people just make mistakes .
Having worked on the props at a theatre, I know how consuming it can be.
On the other hand, those anachronisms can become very interesting and can make the film very desirable for the eagle eye audiences, who pride themselves in spotting such gems.
Some directors and producers don't have a clue about this aspect of the production.😊
@@E-Kat One film that comes to mind is that really botched up a scene was " Angel Eyes " from 2011. Jennifer Lopez starred in it. In the beginning it portrays her as a Chicago medic on a bridge at an accident scene, though I can see the Toronto skyline in the background, even though it's dark out if I recall. Then the origional Halloween from 1978, which portrays being set in Illinois state, though far in the background in a street shot, you can see tall palm trees found in LA.
@@davemilligan1171 that's so fantastic you were able to spot the both anachronisms and they're so baffling!! What were the producers thinking? 🤣
I'll look them up right away!
Thanks for sharing.
I keep seeing dry actors emerging from the water and often no one had even tried to make their clothes even damp.
It can be received as insulting to the audiences but I'm always trying to have a laugh.
The bad continuity is often so funny too.
I can't remember the title of the film, but the character had left her flat carrying a red handbag and got to the lift with a blue handbag! Here I could not understand how the actress could not remember the colour of her handbag?
The continuity person has a lot on his/her plate, but the actress should have been able to remember that.
At least we have a laugh.
Also they often forget that in the previous scene the jacket was already off but then it's miraculously back on again.
Thanks again. 🙂
@@davemilligan1171 you must be a car enthusiast to notice that?... I guess they didn't figure technology would allow for rewinding and frame freezing back then.
Men of the 70's are same with us today ❤️ only that now we lie too much, secret affairs and never let both wives know anything 😅
why did the wife forget about Sharon? her former 'daughter'?
Crazy and bizarre story ! The histrionics!
How could he afford to own two houses?
He's lucky I'm not his wife! And this is why I stay single. Don't trust men.
It's unfortunate that you feel this way. I think to have loved & lost is better than never have loved at all. There's good and bad in everyone
He should have guit after one child not have 8 more with her. Redelious. Be sure your sins will find you out!! And they did. 😅
It seems she manipulated him from the very beginning & he did not come as a mature or sensible adult.
Nice movie 🎉
This man is the master manipulator using women to satisfy his own needs , ensuring his own happiness disregarding all respect for traditions , religion and law under a “ cover of a responsible man ….”
He uses his own wife to wipe out his despicable behavior and its consequences. Poor children … It’s disgusting that he may speak about morality …. No respect even for institutions
Double marriage … “ I so swear “
“ don’t take these words lightly “….
What a skeez to cheat on his pregnant wife while she was at home caring for a handicap child. Whatever happens after this he absolutely deserves it.
So sad so heartbreaking ❤️🩹
He’s so manipulative. Disgusting. “I WANT US TO BRING UP MY CHILD! Wow. Unbelievable request. Absolutely nauseating. I hope his wife doesn’t agree to it.
MARRIED MEN IN POLYGAMIST MARRIAGE ARE MORE HAPPY
THAN MARRIED MEN IN MONOGAMIST MARRIAGE ( WHEN A HUSBAND LOVES ANOTHER WOMAN THAN HIS WIFE. IF HE COULD MARRY A SECOND WIFE HE WOULD NOT BE SAD AND DEPRESSED.)
I new they where going to have affair from start
That 30 year old woman is supposed to be in high school?
Good movie 🍿🎥