Rich and Famous (1981)

56% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(276 ratings)

Two women find their friendship tested when one rises from obscurity to success in this glossy remake of Old Acquaintance. Liz Hamilton (Jacqueline Bisset) and Merry Noel (Candice Bergen) are close friends who met while they were freshmen at Smith College in the 1950s. Liz has become a highly… More Two women find their friendship tested when one rises from obscurity to success in this glossy remake of Old Acquaintance. Liz Hamilton (Jacqueline Bisset) and Merry Noel (Candice Bergen) are close friends who met while they were freshmen at Smith College in the 1950s. Liz has become a highly respected novelist, while Merry wed Doug Blake (David Selby) and raised a family. While Merry is happy, she can't help but envy Liz for her glamorous career as an author. Merry decides to write a novel of her own, and with Liz's help, the book soon finds a publisher. While Merry's trashy potboiler earns few positive reviews, it's a massive best-seller, and Merry's fame and wealth soon outstrips that of Liz, leading to jealousy between the old friends and problems in Merry's marriage. Rich and Famous was the final picture directed by Hollywood legend George Cukor; the guest list at the party sequences include such literary and cinematic notables as Christopher Isherwood, Ray Bradbury, Paul Morrissey, and Roger Vadim. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: George Cukor
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 23, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Nov 6, 2007
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
This saga about two friends falls short of heartfelt and never satisfies
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In George Cukor's remake of the 1943 melodrama Old Acquintance (his last film), Bisset is bland and humorless in the Bette Davis role, but Candice Bergen is fun to watch in the bitchy Miriam Hopkins part, flaunting hair, fur, and jewels around.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
camp, overwrought, delicious
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Entertaining remake of Old Acquaintance from the twilight of Cukor's career.

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Cast

            Jacqueline Bisset as Liz Hamilton

            Candice Bergen as Merry Noel Blake

            Meg Ryan as Debby at Age 18

            Hart Bochner as Chris Adams

            David Selby as Doug Blake

            Steven Hill as Jules Levi

            Michael Brandon as Max /Uncredited

            Matt Lattanzi as Jim the Boy

            Daniel Faraldo as Ginger Trinidad

            Frances Bergen as Literary Party Guest

            Ray Bradbury as Literary Party Guest

            Dick Cavett as Himself

            Nicole Eggert as Debby at 8

            Nina Foch as Rich and Famous People

            Herb Graham as Waiter

            Merv Griffin as Himself

            Marsha Hunt
            
            Christopher Isherwood as Malibu Party Guest

            Joe Maross as Martin Fornam

            Kres Mersky as Judy Heller

            Pola Miller as Malibu Party Guest

            Cloyce Morrow as Martha Antilles

            Ann Risley as Max's Wife

            William G. Schilling as Waldorf Doorman

            Damion Sheller as Max's Son

            Allan Warnick as Desk Clerk

            Frank De Felitta
            
            Randal Kleiser as Literary Party Guest

            Gavin Lambert as Literary Party Guest

            Paul Morrissey as Malibu Party Guest

            Roger Vadim as Malibu Party Guest

            Fay Kanin as Prof. Fields

            Oliver Hailey as Literary Party Guest

            Charlotte Moore as Clerk in Cartier

            John Perkins as Limo Driver

            Alan Berliner as Photographer

            George Cukor
            
See full cast

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