Falcon Crest (1981–1990)

Set in the vineyards of California, this prime-time soap opera featured the conflict within the powerful Gioberti family, owners of the vast Falcon Crest Winery.

Creator:

Earl Hamner Jr.

Stars:

Jane Wyman, Lorenzo Lamas, Chao Li Chi

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 46 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Jane Wyman	...	Angela Channing (228 episodes, 1981-1990)
Lorenzo Lamas	...	Lance Cumson (228 episodes, 1981-1990)
Chao Li Chi	...	Chao-Li Chi (212 episodes, 1981-1990)
David Selby	...	Richard Channing (209 episodes, 1982-1990)
Susan Sullivan	...	Maggie Gioberti (207 episodes, 1981-1989)
Margaret Ladd	...	Emma Channing (193 episodes, 1981-1989)
Ana Alicia	...	Melissa Agretti Cumson (178 episodes, 1982-1989)
Robert Foxworth	...	Chase Gioberti (155 episodes, 1981-1987)
William R. Moses	...	Cole Gioberti (140 episodes, 1981-1987)
Abby Dalton	...	Julia Cumson (98 episodes, 1981-1986)

Storyline

Set in the vineyards of California, this prime-time soap opera featured the conflict within the powerful Gioberti family, owners of the vast Falcon Crest Winery.

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Plot Keywords:

vineyard | falcon | soap opera | mother daughter relationship | wealth | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Maktkamp på Falcon Crest

Filming Locations:

Biltmore Hotel - 506 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amanda & MF, Lorimar Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (227 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jane Wyman allegedly had a running feud with Robert Foxworth, to the point where they measured each other's dressing room trailers just to make sure they were equal in size. When Foxworth became a director for the show, Wyman demanded CBS add a clause to her contract making her a director, although she never directed any episodes.

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Goofs

When Richard Channing takes control of his fathers newspaper he renames it The New San Francisco Globe. Throughout season 2 some establishing shots of the exterior of the building still show the original "The San Francisco Globe" sign.

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Quotes

Garth: Your office was completely destroyed.
Richard Channing Denault: Well at least I won't have to go to work today. I hated that damn wallpaper anyway.

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Connections

Referenced in Designing Women: There's Some Black People Coming to Dinner (1988)

User Reviews

A solid, classic soap opera

Set in the fictional Tuscany Valley of California, Falcon Crest focused on a large family of wealthy vinyardists, who were either bickering with each other, plotting against each other, and occasionally swapping mates. Legendary film star Jane Wyman played the ambitious matriarch Angela Channing, constantly at loggerheads with her nephew Chase Gioberti (Robert Foxworth), an airline pilot (and ex-Vietnam vet) who returned to Falcon Crest to claim his inheritance following his father's mysterious death. Others in the FC's large cast included Chase's long-suffering wife Maggie (Susan Sullivan), their children Cole (Billy Moses) and Vickie (Jamie Rose, Dana Sparks); Angela's children Emma (Margaret Ladd) and Julia (Abby Dalton), Abby's irresponsible son Lance (Lorenzo Lamas), who married the conniving Melissa (Ana-Alicia), when she was pregnant with Cole's child. A solid soap during its first season, FC got a major boast with the arrival of nefarious Richard Channing (David Selby), who turned out to be related to the Giobertis and would stop at nothing to get his share of Falcon Crest. The first 5-6 seasons of Falcon Crest remain among the best television has ever offered, with terrific acting, strong storylines, suspenseful and unforgettable cliffhangers, and a wonderfully dry wit. Currently, SoapNet runs episodes 3 times daily, Mon-Fri; try to see it if you can, Falcon Crest is an absolute must.