Improper Channels (1981): cast, story & where to watch
1981 · Film · ★ 10
Released in 1981, Improper Channels is a comedy film directed by Eric Till, running about 92 minutes. “Ever try communicating with a doctor... a lawyer... a computer?” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A father brings a young child to an emergency room to get treatment for a minor injury occurring in an innocent accident, but he gets accused of child abuse. Child welfare agencies commit grossly unfair over-reactions to remove the child forcibly from the Father, who must brave the arcane system to reclaim his daughter.
Who’s in it. Improper Channels stars Alan Arkin as Jeffery Martley, Mariette Hartley as Diana Martley, Monica Parker as Gloria Washburn and Martin Yan as Sherman Hu, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 10.0/10, Improper Channels sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Improper Channels page.
If you liked it. Fans of Improper Channels tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Improper Channels (1981)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Improper Channels change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Improper Channels worth watching?
- Improper Channels holds an audience score of 10.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Improper Channels?
- Improper Channels stars Alan Arkin, Mariette Hartley, Monica Parker, Martin Yan and Sarah Stevens.
- When was Improper Channels released?
- Improper Channels was released in 1981, with a runtime of about 92 minutes.