Scattered Dreams

Scattered Dreams
Genre	Drama
Written by	Karen Croner
Directed by	Neema Barnette
Starring	Gerald McRaney Tyne Daly Ed Grady Rhoda Griffis Macon McCalman
Music by	Mark Snow
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producer	Robert Greenwald
Producer	Philip K. Kleinbart
Cinematography	Yuri Neyman
Editor	David Beatty
Running time	93 minutes
Production companies	Nasser Group Robert Greenwald Productions
Budget	$3,700,000 (estimated)
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	December 19, 1993 (1993-12-19)

Scattered Dreams: The Kathryn Messenger Story is a 1993 made for TV drama film based on a true story. It stars Gerald McRaney, Ed Grady, Rhoda Griffis, Tyne Daly and Macon McCalman. Actress Alicia Silverstone also stars. It was directed by Neema Barnette. ^[1]

Plot

A loving couple trying to make a living in 1951 Florida is arrested for a crime they didn't commit. The pair is given long jail terms and ripped from their children, so they begin a stunning fight for justice that has them facing the ruthless sheriff responsible for their incarceration.

Production

Scattered Dreams is based on a true story. The real life Kathryn Messenger and her husband were arrested in West Palm Beach in 1951. They were each sentenced to jail for 7 years for failing to pay a $258 grocery bill. The children were left behind as wards of the state when the Messengers went to New Orleans- though Kathryn Messenger claimed the children were being held hostage "as revenge." ^[2]

References

1. Barnette, Neema (1993-12-19), Scattered Dreams (Drama), Tyne Daly, Gerald McRaney, Sonny Shroyer, Nasser Group, Robert Greenwald Productions, retrieved 2025-09-15
2. "Kathryn Messenger". The Palm Beach Post. 1951-06-28. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-09-15.

External links

• Scattered Dreams at IMDb