Attack on Fear is a 1984 American made-for-television drama film directed by Mel Damski and starring Paul Michael Glaser, Linda Kelsey, Kevin Conway and Barbara Babcock. It premiered on CBS on October 10, 1984. The teleplay by T.S. Cook is based on the 1980 book The Light on Synanon: How a Country Weekly Exposed a Corporate Cult written by Dave Mitchell, Cathy Mitchell and Richard Ofshe. Overview Paul Michael Glaser and Linda Kelsey portray Dave and Cathy Mitchell, the new owners of a small-circulation weekly newspaper called The Point Reyes Light in Marin County, California. Upon hearing of iniquities at the famed Santa Monica drug rehabilitation center Synanon, the Mitchells begin publishing their evidence. Despite legal pressure from Synanon and bizarre anonymously mailed threats, the Mitchells' story results in a major investigation of the revered institution. Although Attack on Fear was completed in 1982, it was not telecast until October 1984 and then only after being reshaped to satisfy Synanon's battery of attorneys. Cast Paul Michael Glaser - Dave Mitchell Linda Kelsey - Cathy Mitchell Kevin Conway - Richard Ofshe John Harkins - Banner Alan Fudge - Art Disterhoft Barbara Babcock - Jane Dutton Tom Villard - Keith Jerry Hardin - Sheriff Bergus Hugh Reilly - Lofgren Wendy Goldman - Gail Jack Gregory - Thompkins Patricia E. Parris - Bonnie Gary Bayer - Veteran Reporter Michael Mallory - SWAT Officer References External links 1984 films 1984 television films 1984 drama films CBS network films 1980s English-language films Films set in 1978 Films set in the San Francisco Bay Area Biographical films about journalists Films directed by Mel Damski American drama television films 1980s American films