The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 3 nominations total
Elliot Page
- Sylvia Likens
- (as Ellen Page)
Hannah Leigh
- Shirley Baniszewski
- (as Hannah Leigh Dworkin)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe real-life daughter, Paula Baniszewski, was released from prison and changed her name. She ended up getting a job as a guidance counselor aide in an Iowa school and worked there for 14 years before anyone found out about her real past. She was immediately fired.
- GoofsIn a scene set in 1965, a character rushes into a phone booth and dials for an operator without inserting a coin. The free operator call feature was not instituted until many years later.
- Quotes
Sylvia Likens: Reverend Bill used to say, "For every situation God always has a plan." I guess I'm still trying to figure out what that plan was.
- Crazy creditsThe final credit states "Sylvia Likens, 1949-1965".
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008)
- SoundtracksDowntown
Written by Tony Hatch
Performed by Petula Clark
Courtesy of Disques Vogue and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (France)
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Featured review
Sylvia Likens used to be a childhood game in my neighborhood...
I was born in 1970 and had an Aunt that lived just down the street from the house where Sylvia and her sister were staying. When I first heard the name "Sylvia Likens" it was in a childhood chant which was very disrespectful to her life/death. When my mother heard me, she asked why I was doing that and I said it was a spooky game. She explained to me at that time that Sylvia was a real girl who lived through a horrid time. It wasn't until I was older that I found out she was murdered. Although it was a bad neighborhood, sometimes my husband and would drive by the house. Its frightening to think of what happens in our country, and in the very state I live in. I think it was important for this film to be made, especially when I read that none of the actors had heard of Sylvia's story. There is a park not far from her home that has a memorial in place for her, with her picture on it.
helpful•483
- wmstine
- Aug 24, 2008
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $2,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $1,306,875
- Runtime1 hour 38 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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