The Cracker Factory is an American television film directed by Burt Brinckerhoff. The teleplay by Richard Shapiro is based on the best-selling 1977 novel by Joyce Rebeta-Burditt. The film was broadcast by ABC on March 16, 1979. Synopsis Alcoholic Cleveland housewife Cassie Barrett is institutionalized in a psychiatric ward after experiencing a nervous breakdown in the supermarket. We learn this is the latest in a series of hospitalizations from which Cassie emerges supposedly in control of her life but actually still teetering on the edge. During this latest stay, she develops a romantic crush on psychiatrist Edwin Alexander and a close relationship with night supervisor Tinkerbell, both of whom help her take steps toward facing her inner demons and learning to live with sobriety. Principal cast Natalie Wood as Cassie Barrett Perry King as Dr. Edwin Alexander Shelley Long as Cara Juliet Mills as Tinkerbell Peter Haskell as Charlie Barrett Vivian Blaine as Helen Marian Mercer as Eleanor Production Wood was signed in December 1978. See also List of television films produced for American Broadcasting Company References External links The Cracker Factory at the Internet Movie Database 1979 television films 1979 films American television films 1979 drama films ABC network original films Films set in Cleveland Films set in psychiatric hospitals Films scored by Billy Goldenberg Films based on American novels Films directed by Burt Brinckerhoff