Tales of the City (1993– )

The stories of several colorful characters living in San Francisco. Based on the book by Armistead Maupin (A Man I Dreamt Up).

Stars:

Olympia Dukakis, Donald Moffat, Chloe Webb

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Olympia Dukakis	...	Anna Madrigal (1 episode, 1993)
Donald Moffat	...	Edgar Halcyon (1 episode, 1993)
Chloe Webb	...	Mona Ramsey (1 episode, 1993)
Laura Linney	...	Mary Ann Singleton (1 episode, 1993)
Marcus D'Amico	...	Michael Tolliver (1 episode, 1993)
Billy Campbell	...	Jon Fielden (1 episode, 1993)
Thomas Gibson	...	Beauchamp Day (1 episode, 1993)
Paul Gross	...	Brian Hawkins (1 episode, 1993)
Barbara Garrick	...	DeDe Halcyon Day (1 episode, 1993)
Nina Foch	...	Frannie Halcyon (1 episode, 1993)
Edie Adams	...	Ruby Miller (1 episode, 1993)
Robert Downey Sr.	...	Edgar's Doctor (1 episode, 1993)
Meagen Fay	...	Binky Gruen (1 episode, 1993)
Lou Liberatore	...	Chuck (1 episode, 1993)
Country Joe McDonald	...	Joaquin (1 episode, 1993)
Parker Posey	...	Connie Bradshaw (1 episode, 1993)
Kevin Sessums	...	Peter Cipriani (1 episode, 1993)
McLean Stevenson	...	Booter Manigault (1 episode, 1993)
Syd Straw	...	Laurel (1 episode, 1993)
David Brisbin	...	Lemon Candles (1 episode, 1993)
Vicky Preston Brown	...	Opera Singer (1 episode, 1993)
Lou Cutell	...	Herb Siegel (1 episode, 1993)
Philip Moon	...	Lionel Wong (1 episode, 1993)
Tom Alan Robbins	...	Supermarket Creep (1 episode, 1993)
Amy Ryder	...	Frieda (1 episode, 1993)

Storyline

Tales of the City chronicles the adventures of Mary Ann Singleton, a young secretary from Cleveland who takes a vacation to San Francisco and decides to stay. Set in 1976, before the days of AIDS and crack cocaine, the story depicts the city at the height of its boisterous gay, drug and disco cultures through the eyes of the innocent heroine.

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | tv mini series | living together | sex change | nudity | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City

Filming Locations:

28 Barbary Lane Set, Occidental Studios - 201 N. Occidental Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Playhouse, Channel 4 Television Corporation, KQED

Technical Specs

Runtime:

360 min 360 min (6 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Over 15 years several companies (including Warner Brothers and HBO) bought options to film this story, based on Armistead Maupin's novel. Finally this 6 part miniseries was produced by Britain's Channel 4, San Francisco's local PBS station KQED and PBS' American Playhouse.

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Goofs

When Beauchamp and Mary Ann pull up in front of Barbary Lane after their weekend away, the crew is reflected in the side of Beauchamp's car.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mary Ann's Mother: Hellooo?
Mary Ann Singleton: Mom, It's me.
Mary Ann's Mother: What's the matter did you miss your plane?
Mary Ann Singleton: No. I didn't
Mary Ann's Mother: You know darling we were just talking about you...
Mary Ann Singleton: Would you call Mr. Lassiter and say I won't be in on Monday?

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Connections

Features Mary Tyler Moore (1970)

User Reviews

Almost as Wonderful as Armistad's Book!

These actors were so well cast. I had read the book long before the mini-series came along. But this cast was almost exactly what I had imagined as I read the chapters. What an amazingly interesting and fun story of life. Not just life in San Fran in the '70's, but of human emotions and interaction anywhere and anytime. Very well acted and directed. If you like this, then by all means, pick up all of Armistad's books - you'll love them!