The movie A Stranger to Love is based on the amnesia case of James McDonnell. The movie came to television as a made for tv movie of the week in 1996.
A Stranger to Love true story
The movie A Stranger to Love is based on the amnesia case of James McDonnell. The movie came to television as a made for tv movie of the week in 1996.
Missing Persons Case Larchmont, New York
James Mcdonnell's case made national attention in late 1985 when a story about a man who had amnesia for fifteen years hit the press. the real case took place in Larchmont, New York when James Mcdonnell suffered amnesia after he suffered a few minor head injuries one day. He gained his memory back after fifteen years when he bumped his head again.
Here is a brief timeline in the case
James Mcdonnell lives in Larchmont, New York with his wife of more than 10 years. He works as a mail carrier at a local post office. He is known as a very nice and friendly man.
February 24. 1971: On a cold day, James McDonnell is taking out the trash and slips on his icy steps. He injures his back and his head in the fall. The injuries are minor.
February 25, 1971: James McDonnell starts sneezing and loses control of his vehicle. He ends up hitting a pole. He hits his head again in that accident.
February 26, 1971: McDonnell starts to complain of a headache and dizziness while working, and he falls again.
March 1971: He is in another car accident and suffers a minor concussion. A few weeks later he is walking home and he vanishes.
March-April 1971: After dropping off his in laws, James becomes disoriented, and begins to wonder off on foot. Close to midnight when James does not arrive home his wife Anne begins to look for him. He was reported missing. The police check his background, and they find no reason for him to want to abandon his life. It eventually crosses Anne's mind that he could possibly have amnesia due to the falls. Family and friends describe Anne as a woman who was beside herself with worry. She prays constantly and anxiously waits to hear something about Jim.
When he does not return home for several months, Anne has to take a job as a nursing assistant in order to take care of herself. James is legally declared dead.
At some point he shows up James McDonnell suddenly shows up in Philadelphia. He eventually assumes the name Jim Peters after seeing the name on a sign in a store window. He gets a social security card with the name Jim Peters, and he finds a job as a short order cook at P&P Luncheonette. He makes lots of friends with the customers. He eventually becomes good friends with the luncheonette's owner Susan Shriver.
March 29, 1971: James A. McDonnell vanishes. His wife eventually declares him dead, though she never really gives up hope that he will be found alive. She decides to keep everything the same in case of his return.
James McDonnell begins a new life as Jim Peters. He is a cook and a bartender. He also has a side job as Santa Claus.
Christmas Eve: James McDonnell is in the basement of a restaurant where he works as a cook in Philadelphia. He hits his head and suddenly memories of his former life appear.
Christmas 1985: Anne McDonnell answers the door to find her husband James Mcdonnell at the door after 15 years. He just showed up out of no where. He has grown a very long Santa Clause like beard, and she barely recognizes him at first. Everyone, including doctors find his story too unbelievable. Many people think that he is faking the amnesia.
Tidbits
She states that she never ever gave up hope that he would be found alive. She didn't throw away any of his belongings. Every thing was just as he left it.
Here is a brief timeline in the case
James Mcdonnell lives in Larchmont, New York with his wife of more than 10 years. He works as a mail carrier at a local post office. He is known as a very nice and friendly man.
February 24. 1971: On a cold day, James McDonnell is taking out the trash and slips on his icy steps. He injures his back and his head in the fall. The injuries are minor.
February 25, 1971: James McDonnell starts sneezing and loses control of his vehicle. He ends up hitting a pole. He hits his head again in that accident.
February 26, 1971: McDonnell starts to complain of a headache and dizziness while working, and he falls again.
March 1971: He is in another car accident and suffers a minor concussion. A few weeks later he is walking home and he vanishes.
March-April 1971: After dropping off his in laws, James becomes disoriented, and begins to wonder off on foot. Close to midnight when James does not arrive home his wife Anne begins to look for him. He was reported missing. The police check his background, and they find no reason for him to want to abandon his life. It eventually crosses Anne's mind that he could possibly have amnesia due to the falls. Family and friends describe Anne as a woman who was beside herself with worry. She prays constantly and anxiously waits to hear something about Jim.
When he does not return home for several months, Anne has to take a job as a nursing assistant in order to take care of herself. James is legally declared dead.
At some point he shows up James McDonnell suddenly shows up in Philadelphia. He eventually assumes the name Jim Peters after seeing the name on a sign in a store window. He gets a social security card with the name Jim Peters, and he finds a job as a short order cook at P&P Luncheonette. He makes lots of friends with the customers. He eventually becomes good friends with the luncheonette's owner Susan Shriver.
March 29, 1971: James A. McDonnell vanishes. His wife eventually declares him dead, though she never really gives up hope that he will be found alive. She decides to keep everything the same in case of his return.
James McDonnell begins a new life as Jim Peters. He is a cook and a bartender. He also has a side job as Santa Claus.
Christmas Eve: James McDonnell is in the basement of a restaurant where he works as a cook in Philadelphia. He hits his head and suddenly memories of his former life appear.
Christmas 1985: Anne McDonnell answers the door to find her husband James Mcdonnell at the door after 15 years. He just showed up out of no where. He has grown a very long Santa Clause like beard, and she barely recognizes him at first. Everyone, including doctors find his story too unbelievable. Many people think that he is faking the amnesia.
Tidbits
She states that she never ever gave up hope that he would be found alive. She didn't throw away any of his belongings. Every thing was just as he left it.
Update on James and Anne Mcdonnell of Larchmont, Ny
James A. Mcdonnell died in 2007. His wife Anne Mcdonnell preceded him in death in 1999.
JAMES A. MCDONNELL
Background on James A. McDonnell
James Mcdonnell was born on February 2, 1921 in Greenwich, Connecticut. His parents were Julia Reagan Mcdonnell and James A. Mcdonnell Sr. He was in the Marines during World War II, and he was married to Anne O'Sullivan Mcdonnell. James A. McDonnell, Jr. died January 29, 2007, he was 85 years old. He died in Larchmont.
JAMES A. MCDONNELL
Background on James A. McDonnell
James Mcdonnell was born on February 2, 1921 in Greenwich, Connecticut. His parents were Julia Reagan Mcdonnell and James A. Mcdonnell Sr. He was in the Marines during World War II, and he was married to Anne O'Sullivan Mcdonnell. James A. McDonnell, Jr. died January 29, 2007, he was 85 years old. He died in Larchmont.
Amnesia Cases (from the past)
Just to give you an idea how common this is. Here are a few cases that I will be listing from the past. These cases were not a basis for the movie A Stranger to Love.
A pastor who was thought dead returned. Andrew Daughter’s story hit the papers in 1957 when he returned all of a sudden in workman's clothes after regaining his memory when he read a bulletin. Daughter asked someone if the date that he was reading was correct and he was told that it was correct. Suddenly he remembered his former life. He was reunited with his wife and with his children who were by then in their teens. The investigation into his disappearance occurred when his boat was found abandoned. He was eventually listed as dead from drowning and his family had already begun receiving benefits from his death.
A pastor who was thought dead returned. Andrew Daughter’s story hit the papers in 1957 when he returned all of a sudden in workman's clothes after regaining his memory when he read a bulletin. Daughter asked someone if the date that he was reading was correct and he was told that it was correct. Suddenly he remembered his former life. He was reunited with his wife and with his children who were by then in their teens. The investigation into his disappearance occurred when his boat was found abandoned. He was eventually listed as dead from drowning and his family had already begun receiving benefits from his death.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)