Nancy Marchand Movies
Following extensive dramatic training at Carnegie Tech, American actress Nancy Marchand did some stage work, then entered the infant TV medium with a 1950 production of Little Women. One year later she appeared on Broadway for the first time; for the rest of the '50s she fluctuated between on-stage classics (Shakespeare, Euripedes) and TV anthologies and soap operas. In later years, Nancy explained that she retreated to contemporary characters on TV because she was "tired of being a queen or a poor put-upon Greek" on stage. A handsome woman, but not voluptuously beautiful in the then-fashionable Marilyn Monroe tradition, Ms. Marchand was usually cast in character roles: she was the dateless "dog" with whom lonely Bronx butcher Rod Steiger fell in love in the original 1953 telecast of Paddy Chayefsky's Marty. Marchand made her movie bow in another Chayefsky work, The Bachelor Party (1957). In 1960, Ms. Marchand won an Obie for her stage performance as the Madam of a fantasy-granting brothel in Genet's The Balcony (also in the cast were future TV stars Michael Conrad and Jack Dodson). From 1977 through 1982, Ms. Marchand played Mrs. Margaret Pynchon, a powerful newspaper executive said to be patterned after the Washington Post's Katherine Graham, on the TV series Lou Grant; she won four Emmies, one for each year of the series' existence. When at one point her character suffered a stroke and spent several weeks recovering, Ms. Marchand was besieged with get-well cards from fans who believed that the actress' fictional stroke was genuine. Recent film appearances for Nancy Marchand include the role of the long-suffering mayor in The Naked Gun (1988). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
To those viewers who thought that the surfeit of violence during the fourth season of HBO's The Sopranos would have expunged all mayhem from season five, we have but one thing to say: "Fuggetabouddit!" As usual, much of the trouble is sparked by the sort of domestic issues that in any other family but the Sopranos would be handled with calm and decorum. Now separated from wife Carmela (Edie Falco), suburbanite mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) has begun to warm up to Adriana La Cerva (Drea de Matteo), little suspecting that she may soon become a stoolie for the Feds. Meanwhile, Carmela becomes involved with the guidance counselor for her son A.J. (Robert Iler), who seems poised to challenge his dad for family supremacy (though it may take a few years). As for Tony's extended family, his newly paroled cousin, Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi), proves to be yet another thorn in the side for Tony's nephew Christopher (Michael Imperioli), who already has enough problems trying to wean himself off a dangerous drug habit. Another of Tony's cousins, Johnny Sack (Vincent Curatola), hopes to take advantage of the death of Mafia don Carmine Lupertazzi to increase his own power base -- an attempt that Lupertazzi's son Little Carmine (Ray Abruzzo) fully intends to torpedo (in every sense of the word!), leading to a bloody turf war. And Tony's chief henchman Paulie Walnuts (Tony Sirico) is plagued by a mob functionary who has a bad habit of overstepping his bounds. This season's crop of 13 episodes comes to an end -- bada bing! -- with an unpleasant surprise for Tony Soprano, one that may force him into permanent exile. And as for the hapless Adriana La Cerva...is there any viewer in the U.S. who has not seen her (literally) terminal Sopranos appearance? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, (more)
Sixteen months after the end of The Sopranos' third season, Season Four gets under way. And if you think THIS is a long hiatus, "Fuggeddabouddit"--wait until we get to Season Six! New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano finally has an excuse to whack the troublesome Ralphie Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano, who will win Emmy for his abbreviated recurring role), thereby allowing Ralphie's troubled lieutenant Vito (Joseph R. Gannascoli) to become Capo of the Aprile branch of the DiMeo crime organization. But though Ralphie is gone, he's far from forgotten, and will continue to haunt Tony in more ways than one. Adding to Tony's burdens, his marriage with Carmela (Edie Falco) completely disintegrates, due in no small part to his endless parade of mistresses, notably Adriana (Drea de Matteo), now the lover of Tony's protégé Christopher (Michael Imperioli). Elsewhere, Tony's unstable sister Janice (Aida Turturro) goes to great and gory lengths to gain control of her late mother's valuable record collection--which gets her in big trouble with, of all people, the Russian Mafia. And Tony's treacherous Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese) is back in circulation thanks to a rigged jury, still plotting and planning to oust his nephew and take charge of the operation himself (if senility doesn't take charge of him first). In another development, Johnny Sack (Vincent Curatola) of the Lupertazzi crime family approaches Tony (by way of Paulie Walnuts [Tony Sirico]) with an offer he can't refuse: Bump off Johnny's boss Carmine Lupertazzi (Tony Lip), and Tony can write his own ticket. But the offer is refused, and the stage is set for the bloody turf war to follow in Season Five. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, (more)
New Jersey Mafia boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) continues maintaining the facade of being a respectable suburban husband and father while operating a vast criminal organization from the confines of the Bada-Bing Club during Season Two of The Sopranos. Now that the treacherous Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese) has been placed under arrest by the feds, and with his far-from-supportive mother Livia (Nancy Marchand, who died during this season) has been exiled to a nursing home, Tony thinks that his family problems are over. No such luck: Breezing in from Seattle is Tony's seriously disturbed, sexually promiscuous and thoroughly untrustworthy sister Janice (Aida Turturro), the closest thing that any mob family has had to a "black sheep". There's more trouble from the dangerously impulsive Richie Aprile (David Proval), older brother of Tony's predecessor Jackie Aprile Sr., who is resentful that a younger man has taken over the Aprile branch of the DeMeo crime organization. Richie also has a mad-on for Tony's trusted protégé Christopher (Michael Imperioli), whose own prestige within the mob continues to grow by leaps and bounds, especially after he engineers the family's elaborate "pump-and-dump" stock scam. Christopher himself has developed a close relationship with Adriana La Cerva (Drea de Matteo), and never mind that she is one of "Uncle" Tony's mistresses. Though the FBI agent within the family's ranks has been whacked, there is still someone feeding information to the feds. It breaks Tony's heart to discover that his trusted torpedo Big Pussy (Vincent Pastore) is the turncoat, but business is business, and Tony is obliged to stage-manage Big Pussy's demise during a now-famous boat trip. Nor is this the end of the intramural carnage: despite having become engaged to her former flame Richie Aprile, Tony's sister Janice settles a bitter argument with Richie in typical Soprano fashion. Result: No wedding, and no Richie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, (more)
The first season of The Sopranos finds lifelong "organization man" Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) taking over from Jackie Aprile Sr., terminally ill boss of the northern New Jersey branch of the DiMeo crime family. Tony's promotion is met with mixed reactions from his wife Carmela (Edie Falco), daughter Meadow (Jamie-Lyn DiScala) and son AJ (Robert Iler), but his loyal lieutenants Paulie Walnuts (Tony Sirico), Sil (Steve Van Zandt) and Big Pussy (Vincent Pastore) are effusive in their congratulations. Also pleased by Tony's ascent is his protégé and surrogate nephew Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli), who will soon come to enjoy the perks and publicity attending Mob "royalty" (if his growing dependence on crystal meth doesn't kill him first).
But uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, and soon Tony is suffering more than usual from anxiety attacks and weird nightmares. Thus he seeks out the counsel of analyst Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine DiBracco), who despite her fears that she'll be "whacked" once her usefulness comes to an end is fascinated by Tony and won't let him go. One of Tony's biggest headaches is his Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese),who is p.o.'d that he was denied Jackie Aprile's job in favor of his nephew. Junior spends most of the season conspiring against Tony--and ironically, his chief co-conspirator is Tony's own mother Livia (Nancy Marchand). Also vexing Tony is the revelation that there's an FBI "mole" in his midst--and when that mole is revealed in Season Two, it's a real heartbreaker for the troubled Mr. Soprano. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, (more)
- 1994
Christmas is just another day on the calendar for the acerbic Munch (Richard Belzer), especially when he is handed a case involving the murder of a man in a Santa Claus suit. Elsewhere, Lt. Russert (Isabella Hoffman) decides to get back into the hands-on aspects of detective work by joining Lewis (Clark Johnson) in his latest investigation -- only to discover that she has prior knowledge of the persons involved in the case. And as Felton (Daniel Baldwin) wearily prepares to spend his first Christmas without his wife and children, Bayliss (Kyle Secor) seeks out a friendly Yuletide game of Hearts -- at five dollars a hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
- 1992
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally networkcast as a single hour-long installment), the competition heats up between congressional candidate Christine (Markie Post) and her tough-as-nails opponent (Nancy Marchand). Dan (John Larroquette) has less fun as a sexual surrogate than he anticipated. And Mac's (Charlie Robinson) home video of Bull's wedding becomes a "Rocky Horror"-like cult favorite at a local movie house! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally networkcast as a single hour-long installment), political consultant Johnny Dugan (Don Amendolia) talks Christine (Markie Post) into running for congress against the seemingly indomitable incumbent Louise Cahill (Nancy Marchand). Meanwhile, Mac (Charlie Robinson) screens his "artsy" video of Bull's wedding for the unimpressed courtroom staff. And Dan (John Larroquette) volunteers to serve as a sex surrogate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A wealthy young bride is killed in what appears to be a mugging gone awry. The ensuing investigation reveals that the victim's husband was cheating on her. As it turns out, the solution to the case hinges on a valuable silver pin that was owned by the unfortunate woman. Nancy Marchand, best remembered as the aristocratic newspaper owner on Lou Grant and the mob matriarch on The Sopranos, is here seen as the imperious Mrs. Barbara Ryder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
We know we're in a 1988 film when we're invited to laugh at O.J. Simpson in an opening slapstick sequence. We can also pinpoint the year of production when hard-nosed cop Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen), during a scuffle with the world's leading dictators, wipes the wine-colored birthmark off the head of Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. Those wacky ZAZ boys -- David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker -- serve up a feature-length spin-off of their cult favorite TV show Police Squad!. Seeking vengeance when his partner (Simpson) is shot full of holes by drug dealers, dead-pan and dead-brained Lt. Frank Drebin searches for the Mister Big behind it all. Drebin suspects above-reproach shipping magnate Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban), but he can't prove a thing. Bumped from the force by the mayor (Nancy Marchand), Drebin, with the unexpected assistance of Ludwig's ex-girlfriend (Priscilla Presley), manages to nab the bad guy at a baseball game, where Reggie Jackson has been programmed to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. MGM mogul Irving Thalberg once reportedly told the Marx Brothers, "You can't build jokes on top of jokes." The producers of Naked Gun prove otherwise; indeed, one could develop writer's cramp just listing the gags in the film's first 20 minutes. Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad was followed by two lesser but still hilarious sequels, Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Nielsen, George Kennedy, (more)
- 1986
A Canadian-Australian coproducton which originally aired over Australia's 7 Network, the six-hour miniseries Spearfield's Daughter stars Kim Braden as the title character. The daughter of a prominent and powerful Australian politician (Chris Wiggins), Cleo Spearfield (Kim Braden) incurs her father's wrath by becoming a reporter, with the Vietnam war as her "beat." When not dodging bullets and negotiating rice paddies, Cleo is wooed by two attractive gentemen, gonzo American journalist Tom Border (Steve Railsback) and Murdoch-like British publishing mogul Lord Jack Cruze (Christopher Plummer. Adapted by Jon Cleary from his own novel, Spearfield's Daughter was syndicated to the US beginning the week of May 25, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Nancy Marchand guest stars as the imperious mother of Diane's boyfriend Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer). Preparing to meet Mrs. Crane for the first time, Diane is understandably nervous and on her guard. Even so, she is hardly prepared for the moment in which the gimlet-eyed dowager threatens to kill Diane if she ever marries Frasier! (Fans of Kelsey Grammer's later series, please note: You won't see Frasier's dad [John Mahoney] in this episode.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Scriptwriters Robert Malcolm Young, Sue Grafton and Stephen Humphrey transposed the Agatha Christie story Sparkling Cyanide from its veddy British locale to the plush environs of Pasadena for this 1983 TV-movie adaptation. Leading character Anthony Andrews is still a Briton, mingling with the rich and famous. Seeking glamour, Andrews finds only depravity and death as several of the glitterati drop dead due to poisoned champagne. The motives are the oldest and most reliable: avarice and jealousy. Sparkling Cyanide was filmed at the same time as Caribbean Mystery, another Christie adaptation utilizing the same producer, director and scenarists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Set in a city hospital, this film is essentially a whodunit -- with the resident pathologist investigating -- but was quite probably intended as a pilot for a possible series, so it plays more like a murderous version of E.R. ~ Mark Hockley, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In this family drama, a man whose wife has just left him is faced with caring for his children by himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Some sort of Bad Timing Award must surely be bestowed upon the otherwise worthwhile Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story. David Keith stars as American athlete Wayne Robinson, whose main goal in life is to win the Olympic Decathlon. His dream is compromised when he falls in love with Soviet athlete Anya Andreyev (Stephanie Zimbalist), sparking an international cause celebre. First shown in two parts on May 25 and 26, 1980, Golden Moment was timed to coincide with the telecast of the 1980 Olympics--from which the United States had just withdrawn! Even with this working against it, the film performed reasonably well in the ratings, and also managed to pick up an Emmy nomination for best sound mixing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In this made-for-TV drama, a spunky waitress (Deborah Raffin) is left to support herself, her two small children, and her unborn baby when her no-good husband runs off. Determined not to spend her life in a dead-end job, the woman quits waitressing and sets out to become a truck driver. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1979
David Dukes stars as a marriage-bound young man who is rendered a paraplegic by a surfing accident. Dukes fears that his paralysis has resulted in impotence. His future wife Andrea Marcovicci is similarly fearful. Without the help of counselors or physical therapists, the unmarried couple manages to overcome the young man's sexual dilemma. Are you still sure you want to see this TV movie? Some Kind of Miracle was based on some kind of an autobiography by Mary and Jack Willis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The 44-minute Soldier's Home is based on a story by Ernest Hemingway. Richard Backus stars as a returning World War I veteran who can't adapt to the changes in his home town. Nancy Marchand, Mark LaMura and Lane Binkley costar. Though released separately on videocassette, Soldier's Home was originally telecast on PBS' American Short Story series in tandem with another short drama: Almos' a Man, based on a Richard Wright story and starring LeVar Burton and Madge Sinclair. The two playlets initially aired on April 25, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A Touch of the Poet is the only completed play in Eugene O'Neill's planned 11-part "American History" cycle. Set in a rundown tavern in 1820s Boston, Poet focuses on the relationships between tavern owner Cornelius Melody, his wife Nora, and daughter Sara. Born into wealth in the old country, Cornelius has fallen on hard times, a consequence of a disgrace he suffered while serving in the Peninsular Wars. He took his family to start over in America but lost his fortune buying a secluded inn that attracts few customers. He maintains his haughty airs, however, and constantly abuses his loving, hard-working wife, which only makes Sara more scornful of her father's inability to face reality. For her part, Sara is in love with Simon, a wealthy American who has taken ill. When Simon's father arrives on the scene, he takes a quick measure of the kind of man Cornelius is and forbids Simon and Sara from marrying. Greatly offended, Cornelius swears to avenge this insult, but the result of his efforts are far different than what he intended. This production originally aired as part of PBS's Theatre in America series. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fritz Weaver
