I Cannot Believe I Do Not Remember This Case!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             The 1984 murder of Teresa Benigno by her scumbag hubby, Dr. Kenneth Zachary Taylor, was enough to generate a New York Times article by Peter Maas (best known for the book "Serpico," which became one  of Al Pacino's signature roles) as well as the book and film that came forth from this article--"In A Child's Name."  The story is as much about a custody struggle, as it is for murder.

                              Parts of this movie have to be seen to be believed.  Joanna Merlin, as a Staten Island Italian housewife???????????  A pre-Elliot Stabler Chris Meloni with what is obviously a hair piece, making him less becoming than just being bald.  And Michael Ontkean--what ever happened to him?--whose take on Taylor is so sketchy--an ex-porno jock who is so preoccupied with his body he exercises over everything else, and has the equipment right in the bedroom.  This made me wonder if he was some sort of closet case, too.  But, as the story makes clear, he is a narcissist, a spouse abuser, and, as one military psychologist diagnosed him, "a homicidal maniac."

                              He meets Teresa when she is a hygienist in his dental office, turns on the charm that these types, do,  and carries on with her, while still married to Marilyn.  The actress who plays this role, is cagey; when questioned about her husband's behavior, she gives him glowing notices---but you can see fear in her eyes.  Because, though eventually married to Teresa, this bastard still occasionally sleeps with her, and, again, on his part it is control, on hers fear--that he will harm both she and her daughter.

                              David Huddleston plays Ken's father, Zach Taylor.  But, guess who plays his mother, Jean?????????  That is right, darlings, none other than Louise Fletcher!  Geez, Louise!  When I saw her, I knew what we were in for; all she has to do is glare at the camera to convey a malevolence more terrifying than most.  This was during that period of time when Valerie Bertinelli seemed to be in every other TV movie, and, when a seasoned actress was needed to portray a real bitch, Louise Fletcher was the actress to call.  She glares malevolently, Ontkean glares arrogantly, and you want to put your fist through the TV at both of them.

                               Of course, they stick up for their psycho son, even to the point of trying to extract custody of grandson Andrew for themselves.  You see, they are Midwest Christians, not fast and easy New Yorkers, so they have the right values to raise their son.  Yeah, right!   So, what happened to your child???????????

                                I wonder if Peter Maas' book, which I may have to read, gives the parents back story.  I would like to have known more, to see what turned Ken into what he became--a monster!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Valerie Bertinelli gives the most impassioned performance, as Teresa's sister, Angela, who wages a hard battle she deservedly wins.  They get the child, the parents go back to their Right Wing cult in the Midwest, and scumbag Ken stays in prison. All is well--in TV movie land.

                                   But this scumbag was unfathomable.  He was also a sex addict, embezzler, very entitled, and seemed to murder his wife simply because she took back a family heirloom--earrings--he wanted to sell.  The murder is mercifully done off-camera, but the method is made clear--he bludgeons her to death with a twenty pound bar bell.

                                     The real Kenneth Taylor is not as handsome as Ontkean, but is every bit a psycho scumbag.  I am not sure if Teresa had not been murdered, someone else would have.  Maybe Marilyn and her daughter.  I was surprised, but glad, he did not kill the child.

                                       Which does not mean he would not have, if it fit his agenda.  This guy is pure evil.

                                        ID should do this story.  Maybe they have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Scum, darlings!  Scum!  And the Taylors lived in New Jersey!

                                        Figures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!