"Rich Man, Poor Man" (1976) TV mini-series

Directors:

Bill Bixby
David Greene

Writers:

Dean Riesner (writer)
Irwin Shaw (novel)

Release Date:

1 February 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An examination of the trials and tribulations of the Jordache family, from the period following World War II to the late 1960s.

Plot Keywords:

TV Mini-Series | Johny Falconetti | Family Relationships | Based On Novel

Awards:

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

Peter Strauss	...	Rudy Jordache
Nick Nolte	...	Tom Jordache
Susan Blakely	...	Julie Prescott
Steve Allen	...	Bayard Nichols
Edward Asner	...	Axel Jordache
Bill Bixby	...	Willie Abbott
Dick Butkus	...	Al Fanducci
Kim Darby	...	Virginia Calderwood
Andrew Duggan	...	Col. Deiner
Mike Evans	...	Arnold Simms
Norman Fell	...	Smitty
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Clothilde
Lynda Day George	...	Linda Quales
Gloria Grahame	...	Sue Prescott
Murray Hamilton	...	Sid Gossett

Also Known As:

Rich Man, Poor Man - Book I

Runtime:

720 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

Although he had been a working actor for years prior to this production, Nick Nolte became a star after appearing in this very popular mini-series. In fact, the network wanted his character to appear in the sequel they were planning and Nolte refused to alter the story to make that possible. Peter Strauss also became an in-demand actor after this project.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the fight with Tom Jordache, Falconetti is taken off the ship with his left eye bandaged up. When we see him later he has his right eye covered with the black patch.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues (#11.6)" (1999)

I am always talking about this mini series

Every time I go in a video store or look up videos to rent or purchase online, I always put Rich Man Poor Man in the search engine. Always to come up empty though. This was TV at its best. Nothing topped this back in the 70's but maybe Luke and Laura on General Hospital. I remember always getting pumped up cause a new episode was coming on. If my memory is correct, I am pretty sure it was tuesday night, I know the opening episode was a 2 hr long Sunday night treat.

I really wish I could watch this again and see if it still holds up to this day. I really don't think it could lose much of the magic, since it was told in an earlier year sequence anyways. I guess the only thing different now would be the actors are a lot older these days. I will never forget the Tom Jordache and Falconetti last episode. That will always stay in my memory forever. Ed Asner was also excellent.