Product Overview
The Star--The public saw her as a gifted childstar: the youngest actor to win an Oscar for her roleas Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker and theyoungest actor to have a prime-time television seriesbearing her own name.
The Nightmare--What thepublic did not see was Anna Marie Duke, a young girlwhose life changed forever at age seven whentyrannical mangers stripped her of nearly all that wasfamiliar, beginning with her name. She was deprivedof family and friends. Her every word wasprogrammed, her every action monitored and criticized. Shewas fed liquor and prescription drugs, taught tolie to get work, and relentlessly drilled to winroles.
The Legend--Out of this nightmare emergedPatty Duke, a show business legend still searchingfor the child, Anna. She won three Emmy Awards anddivorced three husbands. A starring role inValley of the Dolls nearly ruined hercareer. She was notorious for wild spending sprees,turbulent liaisons, and an uncontrollable temper.Until a long hidden illness was diagnosed, and heramazing recovery recovery began.
The Triumph--Call Me Anna is an American successstory that grew out of a bizarre and desperatestruggle for survival. A harrowing, ultimatelytriumphant story told by Patty Duke herself--wife,mother, political activist, President of the ScreenActors Guild, and at last, a happy, fulfilled womanwhose miracle is her own life.