Rich Man, Poor Man (1976)

79% of users liked it
(37 ratings)

More ambitious and expensive than ABC's first "novel for television" miniseries QB VII, the eight-episode, 12-hour Rich Man, Poor Man was the one that truly put the genre on the map, its phenomenal success in the ratings making possible the even more spectacular Roots. Adapted from the mammoth novel… More More ambitious and expensive than ABC's first "novel for television" miniseries QB VII, the eight-episode, 12-hour Rich Man, Poor Man was the one that truly put the genre on the map, its phenomenal success in the ratings making possible the even more spectacular Roots. Adapted from the mammoth novel by Irwin Shaw, the miniseries covers the years from WWII to the 1960s, detailing the vacillating fortunes of the immigrant Jordache brothers. "Rich Man" Rudy Jordache (Peter Strauss) is determined to use his hard-earned education -- and his inherent ruthlessness -- to carve out a business and political empire not unlike that enjoyed by Joseph P. Kennedy and his progeny. "Poor Man" Tom Jordache (Nick Nolte), a quick-fisted hothead, goes an entirely different route, first as a professional boxer, then as a functionary of the evil gangster chieftain Falconetti (William Smith). Naturally, both brothers become entangled in romance along the way, with Julie Prescott (Susan Blakely) ending up as Rudy's benighted spouse. Originally telecast on February 1, 2, 9, 16, 23, and March 1, 8, and 15 in 1976, Rich Man, Poor Man earned 20 Emmy nominations and led to a weekly sequel, Rich Man, Poor Man -- Book 2, in the fall of 1976 (this version necessitated a title change for the original, which was rebroadcast as Rich Man, Poor Man -- Book 1 in the spring of 1977). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 9 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Bill Bixby, Boris Sagal
Genres: Drama, Television

On DVD: Sep 28, 2010
Studio: A & E

No Critic Reviews Found…

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Peter Strauss as Rudy Jordache

            Nick Nolte as Tom Jordache

            Susan Blakely as Julie Prescott

            Steve Allen as Bayard Nichols

            Edward Asner as Axel Jordache

            Bill Bixby as Willie Abbott

            Dick Butkus as Al Fanducci

            Kim Darby as Virginia Calderwood

            Andrew Duggan as Col. Deiner

            Mike Evans as Arnold Simms

            Norman Fell as Smitty

            Fionnula Flanagan as Clothilde

            Lynda Day George as Linda Quales

            Gloria Grahame as Sue Prescott

            Murray Hamilton as Sid Gossett

            Herbert Jefferson Jr. as Roy Dwyer

            Van Johnson as Marsh Goodwin

            Kay Lenz as Kate

            George Maharis as Joey Quales

            Dorothy Malone as Irene Goodwin

            Dorothy McGuire as Mary Jordache

            Tim McIntire as Brad Knight

            Ray Milland as Duncan Calderwood

            Lawrence Pressman as Bill Denton

            Robert Reed as Teddy Boylan

            Dick Sargent as Richards

            Talia Shire as Teresa Santoro

            William Smith as Falconetti

            Craig Stevens as Asher Berg

            Nicholas Hammond as Walters

            Dennis Dugan as Claude Tinker

            Mike Baird as Buddy Westerlake

            Frank Aletter as Mr. Tinker

            Josette Banzet as Miss Lenaut

            John Furlong as Dr. Tinker

            Ashlyn Martin as Martin

            Bo Brundin as Harold Jordache

            Julius Harris as Augie

            Ben Archibek as Jay Ledbetter

            Jo Ann Harris as Gloria Bartley

            William Bronder as Theatre Manager

            Anthony Carbone as Lou Martin

            Roy Jenson as Pete Tierney

            Ed Barth as Papadakis

            Harvey Jason as Pinky

            Helen Craig as Martha

            Gavan O'Herlihy as Phil McGee

            Leigh McCloskey as Billy

            Michael Morgan as Wesley Jordache

            Gregg Henry
            
            James Carroll Jordan
            
See full cast

Trailers & Clips

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started