‘Captive Heart’ Sure To Grab Emotions

During the 1850s in Canada, all men were free. Slaves by the thousands escaped their servitude down South to find freedom and opportunity in Canada.

Women - white or black - weren’t so lucky in either country. They continued to be sold as wives via dowries.

In fascinating “Captive Heart: The James Mink Story” (CBS Sunday at 9) a proud, successful businessman named James Mink (Louis Gossett Jr.) learns firsthand of the degradation of slavery and the plight of women.

His daughter (Rachael Crawford) wants to continue her education. He wants her to marry a wealthy businessman.

So Mink, the son of a slave who is married to a white immigrant from Ireland (Kate Nelligan), unknowingly sells his demure, educated daughter Mary to a savvy slave trader (Peter Outerbridge).

Mink believes the man to be honorable. He believes Mary is being taken, along with a sizable dowry, to start a new life in Europe.

On their wedding night, things turn ugly. Mary (played by Crawford with lots of inner strength) is raped and eventually sold as a slave to a Southern plantation owner.

This teleplay, based on fact, uses smart dialogue, honest acting and scenic locations to show us how Mary’s education and proper upbringing mean little to unctuous slave traders and sleazy plantation owners.

Highlights

“Malibu Shores,” NBC tonight at 8: Tori Spelling (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) plays a bad girl in a guest appearance on the teen soap opera. The big question is, can she boost the drama’s sagging ratings?

“World Figure Skating Championships,” ABC tonight at 8: If you can’t get enough figure skating action, look no more. Michelle Kwan is among the performers in this two-hour-long production featuring medal winners at the recent World Championships, taped March 24 in Edmonton, Alberta.