Rich Man, Poor Man (1976– )

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

Stars:

Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte, Susan Blakely

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Peter Strauss	...	Rudy Jordache (9 episodes, 1976)
Nick Nolte	...	Tom Jordache (9 episodes, 1976)
Susan Blakely	...	Julie Prescott (9 episodes, 1976)
Dorothy McGuire	...	Mary Jordache (7 episodes, 1976)
Tim McIntire	...	Brad Knight (6 episodes, 1976)
Ray Milland	...	Duncan Calderwood (5 episodes, 1976)
Robert Reed	...	Teddy Boylan (5 episodes, 1976)
Bill Bixby	...	Willie Abbott (4 episodes, 1976)
Norman Fell	...	Smitty (4 episodes, 1976)
Lawrence Pressman	...	Bill Denton (4 episodes, 1976)
Helen Craig	...	Martha (4 episodes, 1976)
Kim Darby	...	Virginia Calderwood (3 episodes, 1976)
Murray Hamilton	...	Sid Gossett (3 episodes, 1976)
Herbert Jefferson Jr.	...	Roy Dwyer (3 episodes, 1976)
Van Johnson	...	Marsh Goodwin (3 episodes, 1976)
William Smith	...	Falconetti (3 episodes, 1976)
Talia Shire	...	Teresa Santoro (3 episodes, 1976)
Edward Asner	...	Axel Jordache (2 episodes, 1976)
Dorothy Malone	...	Irene Goodwin (2 episodes, 1976)
Dick Sargent	...	Richards (2 episodes, 1976)
Eddie Barth	...	Papadakis (2 episodes, 1976)
Craig Stevens	...	Asher Berg (2 episodes, 1976)
Nate Esformes	...	Alsie (2 episodes, 1976)
Jo Ann Harris	...	Gloria Bartley (2 episodes, 1976)
Harvey Jason	...	Pinky (2 episodes, 1976)
Charles Tyner	...	Matusik (2 episodes, 1976)
Allen Price	...	Billy (2 episodes, 1976)
Walter Lott	...	Mr. McKinley (2 episodes, 1976)
Anthony James	...	Wayne (2 episodes, 1976)
George Brenlin	...	Barry (2 episodes, 1976)
Terence Locke	...	O'Hara (2 episodes, 1976)
W.T. Zacha	...	Third Mate (2 episodes, 1976)
Bernie Kuby	...	Postman (2 episodes, 1976)
Eric Friedman	...	Billy Abbott (2 episodes, 1976)

Storyline

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

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Plot Keywords:

johny falconetti | repetition in title | family relationships | tv mini series | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 February 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rich Man, Poor Man - Book I

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

During Book One, Chapter Nine, Tom Jordache is on a ship in the New York Bay in 1962, in the background you can plainly see the World Trade Center Twin Towers. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Center were in August, 1966.

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Connections

Referenced in Pulp Fiction (1994)

User Reviews

The first and one of the few best!

The first ever television mini-series was broadcast as 12 x 50 minute episodes in the U.K., either side of 'News At Ten' on three consecutive Wednesday and Friday nights throughout July, in that summer, of 1976. It was ITV's answer to the BBC's coverage of the Olympics at the time-and what an answer!

The story of Rudy & Tom Jordache...two brothers who battled through their conflicting lifestyles in two different ways. Based on the best-selling novel by Irwin Shaw, we are taken on a roller-coaster ride starting in Port Philip, New York in 1945 through to the French Riviera in the mid-60's. A classic tale of Rags to Riches and Happiness to Heartbreak.

Messrs. Strauss and Nolte are awesome as the brothers with the fine support of Susan Blakely as the love interest in the story. All this interjected with a great well known cast, a legend of the TV Screens was born.

The series won countless Emmy nominations and came away with Four in total in the form of Edward Asner, Fionnuala Flanagan, composer Alex North and director, David Greene.

Don't miss this one!