The rippling effects of marital disintegration and divorce are explored in this dramatic Alan Parker film. Albert Finney and Diane Keaton star as the Dunlaps, a successful Marin County-living couple who lose passion for both each other, and married life. As their marriage falls apart, so does their family and the Dunlaps' three children suffer alongside their parents. Dana stars as daughter Sherry, who is old enough to see what is happening, but too young to handle the aftermath on her own. This film may be Dana's finest filmed performance, showing a depth rarely seen in an actor so young. Keaton and Finney were both nominated for Golden Globes. For Dana's highly-charged scenes with Finney and Keaton, and for the film's dead-on interpretation of the effects of divorce on children, this one should not be missed.
Author Marjorie Keenan Rawling's memoir, "Cross Creek," is beautifully realized on film in this fine adaptation. Mary Steenburgen stars as the strong-willed writer, who decides to rough-it in backwoods Florida in order to achieve peace of mind for her writing. Dana stars as Ellie Turner, the eldest daughter of a near-by Everglades-dwelling family, whose only friend is the deer she has raised. This child served as the inspiration for Rawling's main character in, "The Yearling." Co-stars Rip Torn and Alfre Woodard were both nominated for best-supporting actor Oscars. Dana was nominated for a Best Young Supporting Actress Award at the 1982 Youth In Film Awards.
National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
The Griswald's are out and about again, now terrorizing Europe. Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo reprise their roles as the bumbling parents who this time take their kids to Europe. Both the of children in this sequel are played by different actors, and here Dana stars as beret-wearing, boy-crazy daughter Audrey. Fans should check this one out to see Dana in a comedic role.
Cobb (1994)
A "Dana Y.Hill" is listed in the credits
of the film, and the IMDB also lists this as one of Dana's films, but it appears
this is not the same Dana Hill. If anyone has any information on this, please
share it -- otherwise, it should probably not be considered one of Dana's movies.
The French Atlantic Affair (1979)
The $5.20 An Hour Dream (1980)
Also known as, "What Are Best Friends For?" this 1980 afterschool special deals with the psychological effects of divorce on kids. Melora Hardin stars as Amy Warner, the new kid in town after her parents' recent divorce. Dana stars as Michelle Mudd, the local misfit and fellow child of divorce, who desperately tries to make and keep friends by forcing them to vow to complete loyalty. When Amy learns of Michelle's penchant for shoplifting and witchcraft, their friendship turns sour and Michelle is taken away. Based on Mildred Ames' novel, the performances are all good, but the story is at times downright creepy and does not seem to be intended for children.
A popular coach takes advantage of the kids in his charge, in this provocative TV-movie. Richard Masur stars as Howard Nichols, a friendly little-league coach, who targets and befriends the troubled kids only to slip them into the seedy world of child pornography. Dana stars as latch-key kid Jennifer Phillips, whose loneliness and isolation are assuaged by Howard's surrogate parenting -- even as he lures her into child porn. This film was the most highly-rated television-movie of the year, and won the year's Emmy for Outstanding Drama. In addition, Dana won the year's Best Young Actress in A Television Special Award, at the Third Annual Youth in Film Awards.
The Member of the Wedding (1982)
This performance of Carson McCuller's classic play, in a rare move, was shown live on NBC in December 1982 and subsequently released on video. Tony-winner Pearl Bailey stars as Berenice, the housemother to Dana's Frankie Addams. Frankie's adolescent, tomboy-ish existence is thrown into turmoil upon hearing the news of her older brother's wedding. Feeling lost and abandoned, Frankie tries everything and anything to convince Berenice, and herself, that a new life is waiting for her with her brother and his bride-to-be. With her stage experience showing, Bailey is perfect in the role of the sympathetic nanny and Dana is unforgettable as the combustible and animated Frankie.
The
Boy Who Left Home To Find Out About The Shivers (1983)
Filmed on videotape as part of an ongoing children's series, "Faerie Tale Theater," Dana stars as a young princess who befriends a fearless peasant boy. Disgusted with everyone's preoccupation with superstition, the curious boy goes to the King's infamously creepy castle in hopes of scaring himself into "the shivers."
Branagan and
Mapes (1983)
Teen suicide and the effects on the family left behind are explored in this above-average TV-movie. Chad Lowe stars as Skip Lewis,an upper-middle class teen troubled by low SAT scores and girl trouble. Feeling like the black sheep in his well-adjusted family of achievers, Skip decides he has no future and drives off a cliff. Dana stars as his sister Cindy, the first one in the family to acknowledge that her brother's death was not accident. Cindy's persistence forces her bewildered parents to re-examine their family dynamics and the events that led to their son's death. Mariette Hartley and Howard Hesseman star as the grieving parents, and Charlie Sheen appears as Skip's guilt-ridden best friend.
Welcome Home, Jellybean (1984)
The popular adolescent book of the same name is brought to life in this CBS Afterschool Special. Barely recognizable, Dana has title role of Geraldine "Jellybean" Oxley, a mentally-retarded teen who is brought home to live with her parents after years in an institution. Unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the demands raised by living with a disabled person, the Oxley family nearly falls apart under the stress. The movie was nominated for Best Family Film Made For Television at the 1984 Youth In Film Awards.
Picnic -
Broadway on Showtime(1986)
A pair of unruly teens are sent off to a military academy in this made-for-television comedy. Keith Gordon stars as Max, a prankster who takes his friend along on one too many jokes and lands them both at the Kirkland Military Academy. Dana stars as Sgt. Andrea Pritchett, the strait-laced student who is assigned to settle the pair in. Intended as mostly a comedy, the movie has some strange dramatic and romantic threads and features a host of familiar faces from once-popular TV shows.
A lawyer struggles with ethics versus
professionalism in this TV-movie drama. Treat Williams stars as Earl Rogers, a
father and defense attorney who takes on two murder cases and questions his own
morality in the process. In a small supporting role, Dana appears as Francy, a
small-town waitress who falls for the sweet-talk of one of the accused.
CHiPS (1977)
Mork & Mindy
(1978)
The Paul Williams
Show (1979)
Featherstone's
Nest (1979)
Family (1980)
The Wonderful
World of Disney (1980)
Mimi Kennedy stars as a frazzled New York City talk show host with a wise-cracking teen daughter (Dana Hill), who hires a stuffy English butler (Peter Cook) to get her house in order. Typical sitcom fare, with sarcasm flying, Cook and Kennedy are the focus. Dana appears as daughter Gabby, who occassionally floats in and out of scenes, adding her straight-faced, deadpan zingers to the always appalled butler. This CBS sitcom did well in its first year and was the lead-in for "M*A*S*H*" on Monday nights, but was nevertheless cancelled in 1982. For her role as Gabby, Dana was nominated for a 1981 Best Young Actress in a Television Series award at the Youth In Film Awards.
-Screen captures from the show with Dana, Mimi Kennedy and Peter Cook.
-
Peter Cook fans check out The Establishment, The Peter Cook Appreciation
Society, for more info.
The Fall
Guy (1982)
Magnum, P.I
(1983)
Dana made a guest-appearance on the popular 1980s series, starring as Willie Walton, a basketball phenom from a nasty foster family. Her crook parents use her as a pawn to steal and Magnum uses her talents to elevate his team. For this guest-spot, Dana won the award for The Best Young Actress Guest in a TV Series at the Youth in Film Awards in 1982.
The Fall Guy
(1983)
The Rousters
(1984)
The Fall
Guy (1986)
- Episode, "Tag Team," Dana appeared as Loser.
Sugar and Spice - TV (1990)
-As character "Ginger."
-Read People Magazine's review
Mighty Mouse, the New Adventures - TV (1987)
Fantastic
Max - TV (1988)
The New Adventures
of Raggedy Ann & Andy - TV (1988-1990)
Marvin: Baby
of the Year - TV Special (March 10, 1989)
Dink, The Little Dinosaur - TV (1989)
Widget, The
World Watcher - TV (1990)
The popular Jetson cartoon family-of-the-future is brought to the big-screen in this animated feature. In a fairly small role, Dana is the voice of Teddy Two, the robot child of some new neighbors, who befriends Elroy and helps Jetson keep his job.
-Another Teddy Two soundbite (slightly
longer).
Pro Stars
- TV (1991)
Rover Dangerfield (1991)
In this highly-rated and acclaimed series, Dana frequently added voices to various episodes, in assorted children's roles.
-Another clip, this one from "Momma Trauma."
-Dana as Hector in, "The Shot."
-Another clip from, "The Shot."
Darkwing
Duck - TV (1991)
Goof Troop
- TV (1992)
-Max and PJ planning their rock band in,
"Shake, Rattle and Goof."
-Max inspiring PJ in, "Close Encounters
of the Weird Mime."
Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992)
Another popular cartoon was realized for the theaters. This time Dana had a lead voice role, performing the voice of Jerry. In this version, Tom and Jerry bury the hatchet and team up to help an orphan.
-Dana as Jerry singing, "We're Two of
a Kind."
-Jerry and Tom trying to convince the
orphan not to run off.
Droopy, Master
Detective - TV (1993)
Sonic The Hedgehog - TV (1993)
Problem Child
- TV (1993)
-Charles introducing the family.
-More insults from Charles.
-Charles giving dad away in "Clear and
Presence Danger."
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Bonkers -
TV (year unknown)
Tom & Jerry
Kids - TV (year unknown)
Bonkers -
TV (year unknown)
Cro - TV
(year unknown)
The Tonight
Show With Johnny Carson (1978 and 1982)
Dana appeared on the famous talk show five times in all.H er most memorable appearance featured Dana cracking Johnny up by doing her Howard Cossell impersonation. The segment occassionally turns up in Carson retrospective specials. Click here for a list of air dates and show information at the Carson site.
I Love Liberty
(1982)
An ABC television special with Mary Tyler Moore and others, which aired on March 21st.
Hot Potato
(1984)
Dana appeared in the June 1984 "Teen Week" episodes of the game show Hot Potato. She appeared with Kim Fields, Missy Gold, Peter Billingsley, Matthew Laborteaux, & Philip McKeon.
Body Language (1985)
Dana appeared in the May 19854 "Teen Week" episodes of the game show Body Language. She appeared with Todd Bridges and others.
Diabetes: A Positive Approach (1989)
Comedian Tom Parks serves as host of this educational video about diabetes, featuring comments from celebrities interspersed with facts and tips.
To Tell The Truth (1991)
Dana appeared in the 100th episode of the game show, To Tell The Truth on January 10, 1991. She appeared with Ron Masak, David Niven Jr, & Vicki Lawrence.
The Wooleycat's Favorite Nursery Rhymes (1992)
Dana provided the voice for the Wooleycat.
