Nutcracker: Money, Madness & Murder (1987– )

Sociopathic socialite plots her father's murder.

Stars:

Lee Remick, Tate Donovan, John Glover

Nominated for 9 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lee Remick	...	Frances Schreuder
Tate Donovan	...	Marc
John Glover	...	Richard Behrens
Linda Kelsey	...	Elaine
Frank Military	...	Larry
G.D. Spradlin	...	Franklin Bradshaw
Inga Swenson	...	Marilyn
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Berenice Bradshaw
David Ackroyd	...	Jones
Lee de Broux	...	Van Dam
Jonathan Frakes	...	Rosen
Harris Laskawy	...	Waring
Robert Schenkkan	...	Campbell
Tony Musante	...	Vittorio
Daniel Hugh Kelly	...	Mike George

Storyline

Sociopathic socialite plots her father's murder.

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Plot Keywords:

socialite | new york city ballet | new york | bad mother | true crime | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cascanueces: Dinero, locura y asesinato

Company Credits

Production Co:

Green Arrow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 100 min (3 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of At Mother's Request (1987)

User Reviews

intriguing study of insane mother and the sons who loved her.

This TV mini-series, based on an early eighties murder case, was the better of two such efforts that, if I remember correctly, competed against each other on different networks. The story concerns Frances Schreuder, an unbalanced jet-setter whose insiduous control over her sons prompts her to use her youngest son, Marc, in a plot to kill her father, wealthy owner of a successful auto parts franchise. Of the two efforts, this one is the better portrayal. The other film starred Stefanie Powers as an unattractive, vitriolic Frances; Lee Remick's portrayal made Schreuder less of a frumpish harpy and more of a charming, chilling psychopath; her Frances exudes stylishness as well as madness. There's a sense of something . . . not quite sympathy, but at least interest in what this attractive woman will do, but more importantly, WHY she does it, the reasons for which are never fully explained(although it is alluded to that the instability is inherent from her childhood). Remick makes her character beguiling and creepy at the same time; we can't take our eyes off of her. The sons' roles in their mother's sick plan is explored more thoroughly in this film than in the Stefanie Powers version. One of the better explorations of the workings of the deranged mind to come on TV in the 80s. Fascinating.