"RICH MAN, POOR MAN": 30TH Anniversary

[Clayton United]

The first-ever television mini-series was broadcast in the US as 12 x 50 minute episodes between 1st February and 15th March in 1976. It was made by ABC-Universal and took a total of five years to stage and produce.

In the UK it was screened on 3 consecutive Wednesday and Friday nights throughout July, in that summer of 1976, playing either side of 'News At Ten' . It was ITV's answer to the BBC's coverage of the Olympics at the time-and what an answer!

The story of Rudy & Tom Jordache...two brothers who battled through their conflicting lifestyles in two different ways. Based on the best-selling 1970 novel by Irwin Shaw, we are taken on a roller-coaster ride starting in Port Philip, New York in 1945 through to the French Riviera in the mid-60's. A classic tale of Rags to Riches and Happiness to Heartbreak. Rudy was the 'Rich Man' of the title - an ambitious individual who achieved his business degree and eventually made his way to the top of the Political ladder as a Senator. Tom was the younger brother - the 'Poor Man' who was the black sheep of the family who managed to make his way as a Boxer for a time until running into trouble with the Syndicate.

The then-unknown lead actors were Peter Strauss and Nick Nolte who were awesome as the brothers with the fine support of Susan Blakely as the love interest in the story. All this interjected with a great well known cast such as Dorothy McGuire, Robert Reed, Ray Milland, Bill Bixby, Dorothy Malone and Van Johnson - a legend of the TV Screens was born.

The series won countless Emmy nominations and came away with Four in total in the form of Edward Asner, Fionnuala Flanagan, composer Alex North and director, David Greene.

"Rich Man, Poor Man" changed the face of the television serial on both sides of the Atlantic forever.

[Clayton United]

This year would have been the 30th Anniversary of the original television debut of this classic award-winning mini-series, and this year appears to have flown by without anything commemorating this occasion - with the exception of the news of the prospective 2007 DVD release of it's sequel, the weekly serial "Rich Man, Poor Man - Book 2".

I don't know if I stand to be corrected but as far as I am aware there hasn't been one single screening on any TV Channel this year which I find to be a great shame. I'm sure fans would also welcome a remastered DVD set with extras for 'Book 1' as I believe that it deserves such a prestigious special edition release.

The original mini-series first saw light of day running from February 1st to March 15th 1976 in the US, whilst in the UK the screenings took place over a three-week period throughout the month of July that year - it was ITV1's answer to the BBC's screening of the Olympics. The next time "RM,PM" was screened in the UK was in May-June, 1987 on Channel 4 and then with the advent of Sky TV it was treated to a weekly run on Sky 1 throughout September, October and November of 1989. "RM,PM - BK.2" surfaced for a screening on Sky 1 from April to August of 1990. Then another run for "BK.1" on Sky 1 came about between January and April of 1993 followed by a re-run of "BK.2" thereafter until August.

In January, 1996 the original mini-series returned to 'terrestrial' screens in the UK with the BBC screening it for us over a six-week period in an afternoon timeslot - this commemorated the series' 20th anniversary. However, it has been brought to my attention that "BK.2" has only received one screening in the UK and that was back in 1977 when it first debuted.

Nevertheless, "Rich Man, Poor Man" - Happy 30th Year!

[Clayton United]

The following is an article from TV Times Magazine dated 16-22 May 1987:

STRAUSS GOT INTO THE SWING FOR STARDOM

Another opportunity to see one of TV's most successful series begins on Tuesday with a repeat showing of Rich Man, Poor Man (C4). Based on Irwin Shaw's best-selling novel, it traces the lives of two brothers through 20 years following the end of World War Two. When it was first screened in America 11 years ago, the drama collected a record 23 Emmy nominations, and won four. It also received four Golden Globe awards and was one of the first of the mini-series format which has become so popular. At the time, it was an innovative way of presenting a drama. It also made stars out of two unknowns: Peter Strauss and Nick Nolte as Rudy and Tom Jordache. For both leading actors, the sudden fame proved to be a mixed blessing. "It got so I could hardly pay for gas or ice-cream - people wouldn't let me," says Nolte.
Conversely, Strauss recalls the attitude towards him after the series: "They expected me to act like a rich man".

2.30
Rich Man,
Poor Man

BY DEAN REISNER FROM
THE NOVEL BY IRWIN SHAW

PETER STRAUSS
NICK NOLTE
SUSAN BLAKELY

The first of a six-part award-winning adaptation of Irwin Shaw's best-selling novel about the rivalry between two brothers battling for the love and attention of their parents. Hard-working college boy Rudy Jordache turns down his sweetheart Julie when she tries to make him leave their small town. Hell-raiser Tom is thrown out of the family by his father.

Previously shown on ITV

Rudy Jordache Peter Strauss
Tom Jordache Nick Nolte
Julie Prescott Susan Blakely
Axel Jordache Edward Asner
Mary Jordache Dorothy McGuire
Teddy Boylan Robert Reed
Arnold Simms Michael Evans
Sue Prescott Gloria Grahame
Miss Lenaut Josette Banzet
Claude Tinker Dennis Dugan
Dr Tinker John Furlong
Buddy Mike Baird
Martin Martin Ash
Theatre Manager William Bronder

DIRECTOR DAVID GREENE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER HARVE BENNETT

[KL4ever]

This is a fantastic mini series. I would recommend anyone who gets the opportunity to watch it.

[Jon-R]

I can remeber Rich Man Poor Man being rerun here in a daytime slot back in 1997. From the little I saw I enjoyed it. I was in school at the time so I could only watch during school holidays. After its run ended, Dallas took over its 12:30 timeslot.

On a side note - People around here still refer to someone wearing an eyepatch as Falconetti although Im sure not many know that Falconetti was a character in Rich Man Poor Man

[Clayton United]

On a side note - People around here still refer to someone wearing an eyepatch as Falconetti although Im sure not many know that Falconetti was a character in Rich Man Poor Man

That's correct - the psycho who fought with Tom Jordache...that eyepatch was courtesy of Tom!

Falconetti was played by William Smith who went on to reprise one of his most famous roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man - Book 2".

[Clayton United]

THE GOLDEN GLOBES 1977

Further to his Emmy award-winning performance as 'Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series' for his portrayal of Axel Jordache in the mini-series "Rich Man, Poor Man", Edward Asner now wins Golden Globe.

Mr. Asner picks up the Best Supporting Actor-Television globe for his role as the Jordache brothers' german-immigrant father. The ground-breaking mini-series equals it's total of four Emmy awards by securing a total of four Golden Globes, and one of these prizes went to actress Josette Banzet for Best Supporting Actress-Television for her portrayal of Miss Lenaut, Tom Jordache's french teacher, in a scene she shared with both Asner and Nick Nolte - the 'poor man' in the title.

The award-winning scene took place in a high school scenario and is a pricelessly rivetting piece of television in itself, as Banzet, the offended teacher, and Asner, as the over-bearing father of Nolte, go at it hammer-and-tongue. "Rich Man, Poor Man" was also awarded the Best TV Series-Drama Golden Globe along with a Best TV Actress Globe for leading lady, the relatively unknown Susan Blakely.

Nolte, and screen brother Rudy Jordache played by Peter Strauss, were both nominated in the Best TV Actor-Drama category.

[James from London]

I watched RICH MAN, POOR MAN for the first time a couple of years ago on DVD. It starts out wonderfully, particularly the scenes with Ed Asner, but like a lot of mini-series, runs out of steam about halfway through, becoming a succession of disasters and hairstyles rather than an exploration of character. Very interesting period piece, however (as much for the time it was made as the time it depicts).

[Clayton United]

I watched RICH MAN, POOR MAN for the first time a couple of years ago on DVD. It starts out wonderfully, particularly the scenes with Ed Asner, but like a lot of mini-series, runs out of steam about halfway through, becoming a succession of disasters and hairstyles rather than an exploration of character. Very interesting period piece, however (as much for the time it was made as the time it depicts).

I think "RM,PM" never let up on the steam throughout and was one of those rare mini-series cases that certainly did explore the characters combined with the situations they had to face. For example, look how Tom's character had matured and changed from his early hell-raising days in Port Philip and his turbulent marriage to Teresa thereafter. Another fine example would be of Rudy and Julie's spiralling relationship when the world of politics entered their lives. Plus, look at how Tom and Rudy's relationship had developed through this period too.

The years 1958 thru 1965 covered in the mini-series were the best period for this TV Classic...edge of the seat forever!