Did the luminol scare the CRAP out of anyone else? - In a Child's Name (1991) Discussion

[–] larileehah 17 years ago

I saw this movie when it first aired and the luminol scene has stuck with me all these years. It's one of the most impactful, evocative scenes ever.

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[–] Scubadiverbob 17 years ago

Larileehah - Please understand that the luminol scene in the MOVIE was made MORE DRAMATIC for the viewers to come back and watch the 2nd episode the next night. The movie originally aired on CBS as a 2 night mini series. The luminol scene was the final scene of the first night and YES, it DID bring many, many viewers back to watch the final episode. If I can recall, this movie was the most watched mini series (as per TV Guide) in 1991 and the 2nd night rated HIGHER than the first night because of the luminol scene.

In REAL life (and in the book) the murder DID NOT HAPPEN in the upstaris bedroom. It occured in a downstairs spare room that was really a small den or office. This was one of the two parts of the murder case that was changed for the movie. The other part was Teresa's earrings.

Any questions please feel free to contact me. Later - Bob F.

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[–] danatania 17 years ago

Ok thanks for sharing.. so did any of the family members actually see the luminol in the spare room? or was that part about them stumbling upon it totally made up.

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[–] Scubadiverbob 17 years ago

danatania - thanks for the response. Ken Taylor's Mom and Dad were staying in the home, watching the baby, while Ken was in jail awaiting his trial and during his trial. Dad use to make the trip home on ocassion for work.

When the New Jersey State Police did the luminol testing (we had to get another seach warrant), Mr. and Mrs Taylor were in the UPSTAIRS section of the home (on a landing) because we were doing the luminol testing DOWNSTAIRS (because that's where he killed her, dragged her body over 50 feet thru the hallway, kitchen, dining room and into the garage and into the trunk of the car). Both of them were watching us during the testing, so YES, they saw the test being conducted and the results. And again YES, the glow (from the blood response to the luminol) was a greenish color glow that was verrrrryyyy eeeerie. If you didn't read the book, do so and you will read my comments on the "green glow." PLUS the book gives so much more insight into the lives of Ken Taylor, Teresa, the trial and the custody battle.

Later - Bob F.

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[–] danatania 17 years ago

Wow that's some really good info. Ok. well at least they knew the testing was going on, and none of them woke up and saw it by accident. I am about to start reading the book and I'll keep an eye out for that.

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[–] catalina_333 16 years ago

I have watched crime shows on and off, and I was wondering when you do lumiol testing do you have to wear a mask because it is a toxic chemical? Who invented it? I will admit that it was one of the scariest scenes in the movie when you see the trail of blood as well as Teresa's handprints in the blood as well.

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[–] LaBoulet 16 years ago

I saw it when it originally aired. The luminol scene was THE BEST! How many other TV movies can you remember from back then. I also enjoyed the wonderful chemistry among the actors, especially the scenes with Bertinelli and Kava. Ontkean was wonderfully sleazy sociopath.

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[–] Karonhianoron 16 years ago

I know when I saw that scene I ended up having nightmares, but the thing I can't remember was did this movie ever replay a few years later because it doesn't make sense that I would be watching it at 6 years old when my bed time was about 7.

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[–] bigbluecheese 16 years ago

Im watching it now for the first time and that luminol bit has made me want to cry!

When you're slapped, you'll take it and like it.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] dharmabum70 16 years ago

Yes, the luminol scene scared the f-ck out of me.

Oddly enough, it was one of the only scenes that I caught. I was flipping channels one night and came across the last 15 minutes of part 1. The scene haunted me for about 15 years before I finally found IMDb, where I went to the "I Need To Know" Board to find out the name of the film. I still haven't seen it since, but it's the reason I started posting here.

db
I ate the lotus.

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[–] dharmabum70 16 years ago

Just found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhBm08WEgS8

db
I ate the lotus.

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[–] danatania 16 years ago

This scene was definitely over-dramatized, because from what I've read, Luminol only stays lit for about 30 seconds, during which they photograph it for posterity. It wouldn't still be glowing hours later when they go to bed.

BTW, I just noticed that the mom is the same lady who played Nurse Ratched in One Flew over the Cuckoo's nest. She is Sooooo creepy! But that's who Mrs. Taylor reminded me of in the book.

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[–] Scubadiverbob 15 years ago

Hey danatania - RIGHT YOU ARE on the over dramatized scene with the luminol and for the short time it will react with blood (and some other liquids like
V8 vegetable juice). I was present during the filming of this part of the movie and mentioned it to the producers who just told me "that's Hollywood." They wanted the scene done that way to bring back the viewers for the second night of the TV debut of the film. It was originally a made for TV - 2 part mini series and the luminol scene was the final scene of the first night.
Actually, luminol WAS NOT USED during the filming because they couldn't darken the set enough to get the actors, the furniture and all the other stuff in the shot AND get the glow.... so they used floresent paint and black lights for the "luminol" effect and a set of regular lights at the foot of the bed to show Mr. and Mrs. Taylor sitting up in bed.

And yes, Mrs. Taylor was played by Louise Fletcher who played Nurse Cratchet in One flew over the cuokoo's nest....and in real life she is a really wonderful person to meet and speak with. I was fortunate enough to have lunch with her one afternoon during the filming.

Bob

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[–] SinisterTwist 13 years ago

Oh man, that scene really stayed with me. I'm going to have to try to find a copy of this to watch online or on tv- I really want to see this again.

Even with the way the parents really saw the luminol results, it's still creepy to imagine.

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[–] IloveKoba 13 years ago

Hi there, you can get a copy of the movie on DVD from raremovies.biz This is one of my favorite true crime mini-series, have rewatched it countless times and it never fails to move me. The Luminol scene was really quite scary, it shows just how horrendous the murder was. Ken Taylor sure was a real 'piece of work'
Cheers from Australia.

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[–] sdoyle21222 11 years ago

Scared me to the bone, and movies don't usually frighten me like that. I didn't sleep that night!

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[–] Ginger42256 10 years ago

Yes it was pretty scary. This movie came out when I was just a small child and I will never forget the luminol scene even after all these years now.

by solesister "get thee to a nunnery!"

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[–] VCR 10 years ago

Yes, scared me! It is one of the two scenes I remember.

Come on, Franklin! It'll be a fun trip!

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[–] activista 10 years ago

Me too---me and my family always used to watch mini-series back in the day---especially mysteries based o true stories, and yeah, I definitely remember that scene, because it was creepy as hell---we made darn sure we watched the conclusion the next night! Very good mini-series,though.

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[–] VCR 10 years ago

Yes! So many people don't realize, before Lifetime, CBS and other basic TV played "The movie of the week" and we watched them on there. It was exciting lol

Come on, Franklin! It'll be a fun trip!

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[–] Faridah (1328) 4 years ago

I saw this when it first aired and I was 12. That scene gave me nightmares!

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