Rich and Famous (1981)

Liz and Merry become BFFs in college. A decade later, Liz is a serious writer with writer's block, whereas Merry's a housewife/mom. She's written a novel. Other bestsellers, riches and fame follow.

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Gerald Ayres, John Van Druten (play)

Stars:

Jacqueline Bisset, Candice Bergen, David Selby

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Liz Hamilton
Candice Bergen	...	Merry Noel Blake
David Selby	...	Doug Blake
Hart Bochner	...	Chris Adams
Steven Hill	...	Jules Levi
Meg Ryan	...	Debby at 18 years
Matt Lattanzi	...	The Boy, Jim
Daniel Faraldo	...	Ginger Trinidad
Nicole Eggert	...	Debby at 8 years
Joe Maross	...	Martin Fornam
Kres Mersky	...	Judy Heller
Cloyce Morrow	...	Martha Antilles
Cheryl Robinson	...	UCLA Voice (voice)
Allan Warnick	...	Desk Clerk
Ann Risley	...	Max's Wife

Storyline

Liz and Merry Noel become friends as college roommates and their friendship endures over the years. Liz becomes a respected "serious" novelist. Merry Noel marries, has a daughter and writes, too: "trash" fiction which becomes enormously successful. Their story begins in college and jumps ahead some years at a time to show their relationship with each other and those in their orbits as they grow and mature.

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Plot Keywords:

male rear nudity | roommate | friend | college roommate | friendship | 

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Taglines:

From the very beginning, they knew they'd be friends to the end. What they didn't count on was everything in between.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Frank De Felitta: The writer as a literary party guest.

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Goofs

Merry is in bed when she suddenly comes up with title for her next novel - "Home Cookin'". But a moment later, when she rushes into her office, that title is already scrawled across the blackboard where she jots down her ideas.

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Quotes

Liz Hamilton: I am sick and fucking tired of you trying to live your life through my skin!
Merry Noel Blake: Hah! If I had your skin I'd take better care of it!

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Alternate Versions

2 sex scenes are cut in US version.

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Connections

Referenced in The Flower of My Secret (1995)

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Soundtracks

On The Sunny Side of the Street
Sung by Willie Nelson
Composed by Jimmy McHugh (uncredited)
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields (uncredited)
Courtesy of Columbia Records

User Reviews

Farewell, George, and thank you, Mr. Ayres

Not-bad-at-all swan song for the great George Cukor, a "women's picture" remake of 1944's "Old Acquaintance" that actually improves on it somewhat. That's thanks mostly to screenwriter Gerald Ayres, who has updated it in credible and interesting ways and cut down on some of the excesses of the genre. As old friends who become romantic and professional rivals, Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen appear to be having a marvelous time, and David Selby's quite all right in the Gig Young-ish role of the dreamboat who married the wrong Smith graduate. Cukor's venture into R-rated filmmaking is a little self- conscious, and he dwells perhaps too long on the various beautiful young men who make the acquaintance of these two, but it's professional, attractive filmmaking. Notable also for the fascinating party guests who turn up as extras--Nina Foch, Christopher Isherwood, etc.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rich and Famous

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$14,492,125

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,492,125

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jaquet, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1