TV REVIEWS : Nova Reveals ‘Wild Child’s’ Chilling, Disturbing Secrets

They named her “Genie,” but psychiatrists and social workers never were able to coax her from the prison of her magic lamp.

The story of the Temple City girl--locked alone in her room and tied to a potty chair for more than 10 years before being rescued at age 13--is chilling by even today’s standards. As told some 20 years later in tonight’s “Nova” presentation, “Secret of the Wild Child,” it is a perplexing portrait of not only the unfortunate girl but also the rather confused collection of professionals who took over her life in the early 1970s.

In November, 1970, Genie, whose real name is Susan Wiley, emerged from her room with “non-human characteristics.” She was unable to speak, could barely walk and spat repeatedly. Susan’s new caretakers on “the Genie team” seemed confounded by their mission: Does one follow basic human instinct and try to nurture this child? Or is it more important to seize the moment (and federal research funds) to test competing theories of language and human development?

In the compelling “Wild Child,” writer/producer/director Linda Garmon weaves this subtext of indecision through the well-preserved videotapes of Genie and current interviews with the principal researchers.

Garmon skillfully permeates the documentary with images of Susan’s face, a haunting tableau of apprehension, fear, happiness, vitality and more--all mixed together. The viewer may have an overwhelming urge to hold her and tell her everything’s going to be all right.

But in real life, Genie is last seen on tape following a foster placement in which she was punched because she vomited. She has regressed to the point of not speaking at all. Now living in an “adult care foster home” somewhere in California, she is keeping her mouth shut, it is explained, so she will never vomit again.

* “Secret of the Wild Child” airs at 8 tonight on KCET-TV Channel 28 and KPBS-TV Channel 15, and at 9 p.m. on KVCR-TV Channel 24.