Rich Man, Poor Man 

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 6 wins & 26 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	...	Eddie Heath / ... 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
Mike Evans	...	Arnold Simms 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 February 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rich Man, Poor Man

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nick Nolte said that when he played a young man in the early scenes of the project, he weighed about 160 pounds. When he played a middle aged man in the later scenes, he weighed over 180 pounds.

---

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.

---

Quotes

Mary Jordache: [to Tom] It takes a lot of pain and love to raise a boy, maybe I gave so much to Rudy, there wasn't enough left over for you.

---

Connections

Featured in Walesa. Czlowiek z nadziei (2013)

User Reviews

For a TV miniseries this is excellent

This follows two brothers (Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte) growing up--one straight arrow (Strauss) the other a hell-raiser (Nolte). They also love the same woman (Susan Blakely). It starts off in the 1940s and follows them up to the 70s.

Sure, it's a soap opera but it's fun! Despite it's length it's never dull and the acting and production values are surprisingly good. There's also great supporting acting by Edward Asner (as a rough, tough father) and Robert Reed.

I saw it back when it originally aired in 1976. I had forgotten about it until it popped up on cable in the 1990s. The Family Channel showed it and edited out a few words and shots (I distinctly remember a quick side view of Robert Reed naked that wasn't in that showing).This really deserves to be out on DVD. Judging by the votes and the reviews this has quite a following. No masterpiece but just engrossing and well-made.