Marsha Mason Movies
A former dancer and New York theater star, Marsha Mason never quite reached the heights of stardom suggested by her early film career. Still she remains a respected supporting and occasional leading Hollywood actress and has four Oscar nominations to prove it. In film, Mason started out playing bit parts. She also appeared on television in such series as Dr. Kildare. She had her first substantial film role in Hot Rod Hulaballoo (1966). Her first big break came after she traveled to San Francisco to appear in an American Conservatory Theater production of Private Lives directed by Francis Ford Coppola. While on the West Coast she played a supporting role in Paul Mazursky's Blume in Love (1973). It was her stage work, however, that led filmmaker Mark Rydell to cast her as a pregnant single mother who prostitutes herself in Seattle in Cinderella Liberty (1973). She beat out Barbra Streisand, the studio's choice, for the role and won her first Academy Award nomination. Her second nomination came from her portrayal of a divorced chorine trying to support herself and her daughter while dealing with a series of failed romances in Neil Simon's comedy-drama The Goodbye Girl (1977). She and Simon were married at the time and the famed playwright wrote the part especially for her. Mason's co-star, Richard Dreyfuss, won a Best Actor Oscar. Simon wrote the screenplay for the film responsible for Mason's third Oscar nomination, Chapter Two (1979), which was an autobiographical account of their courtship. He also penned the part that landed her a fourth nomination, Only When I Laugh (1981). Through the '80s, Mason seemed to concentrate more on television movies, such as Love Canal (1982) and Surviving (1985), and her feature-film appearances became sporadic. In 1991, she starred in the short-lived sitcom Sibs. In 1997, Mason became a semi-regular on the popular NBC sitcom Frasier, playing the love interest of Kelsey Grammar's father, John Mahoney. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Produced for cable's Hallmark channel, The Long Shot stars Julie Benz as expert equestrienne Annie Garrett. Forced by her demanding mother, Bonnie (Laura Johnson), to live under the shadow of her sister, Katie, who won 37 blue ribbons for her horsemanship before her death in a freak accident, Annie is further burdened when her no-good husband, Ross (John Livingston), deserts her. With her seven-year-old daughter, Taylor (Gage Golightly), in tow, the cash-strapped Annie accepts a very difficult job as a groomer and trainer on the Colorado horse farm owned by the no-nonsense Mary Lou O'Brien (Marsha Mason). Despite her heavy workload, Annie thrives in her new environment, forming a strong "friendship" with a horse named Tolo, whom she hopes to ride to victory in a high-stakes contest. Alas, Annie's opportunity to finally live up to the accomplishments of her late sister Katie may be permanently scuttled when Tolo is suddenly struck blind. The Long Shot was first broadcast on April 18, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Benz, Marsha Mason, (more)
- 2001
- Add Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows to QueueAdd Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows to top of Queue
From her gradual ascent to stardom in the 1930s to her death from a drug overdose at age 47 in 1969, former vaudeville baby Frances Ethel Gumm, aka Judy Garland, endured a string of personal and career ups and downs that continues to color her reputation as an icon whose tragedies outweighed her triumphs. This TV biopic, based on the first half of daughter Lorna Luft's book Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir, attempts to humanize Garland's legend by presenting the singer/actress' story from an insider's point of view. Tammy Blanchard plays the young Garland, an MGM contract player with an overbearing mom (played by Marsha Mason) who helped push her daughter to stardom -- and, along with studio boss Louis B. Mayer (Al Waxman), into a lifelong addiction to booze and barbiturates. From her early performances alongside Mickey Rooney to her breakthrough role in The Wizard of Oz, Life With Judy Garland paints the performer as a sweet kid who just wanted to please her mother, especially after the death of her gentle, beloved father (Aidan Devine). Australian actress Judy Davis takes over as the grown-up Garland as the film traces her five marriages, exile from MGM, countless film and stage comebacks, and crippling addictions. The film's final section concentrates on the home life of Luft, her brother Joey, and their half sister Liza Minnelli, as the kids and their broke mom moved from one hotel to another and Luft nursed Garland through depressions and binges. Life With Judy Garland premiered in February of 2001 on ABC, earning Emmy awards for both Davis and Blanchard. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judy Davis, Victor Garber, (more)
- 1999
This film profiles Marsha Mason, who found success early in her career, and married a fellow actor. However, the relationship didn't last. She moved from role to role, appeared in Blume in Love, and beat out top actresses for the coveted leading role of Cinderella Liberty. She found love again with Neil Simon, and starred in his Goodbye Girl, one of her most famous performances. After that marriage broke up, she suffered a midlife crisis, and began looking for an outlet from Hollywood. The world of stock car racing beckoned, and she immersed herself in this new field. She has triumphed, winning many racing awards. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Tony Award winner and four-time Academy Award nominee Jane Alexander is profiled in this biography from Lifetime. After a privileged upbringing in Massachusetts, the budding actress briefly attended Sarah Lawrence College until her sophomore roommate's life was cut tragically short. Alexander sought refuge in the theater program at the University of Edinburgh, and upon returning to New York she began to slowly build a successful career out of playing strong women in risky, politically serious films and plays. From marriages both unsuccessful and successful to her 1993 appointment as chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Intimate Portrait uncovers the real stories behind a very public life. Narrated by Marsha Mason, the program features interviews with James Earl Jones, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Wendy Wasserstein, Alexander's husband Ed Sherin and son Jace Alexander, and Tina Howe. ~ Sarah Welsh, All Movie Guide
- 1998
After months of dating the acerbic and outspoken Sherry Dempsey (Marsha Mason), Martin (John Mahoney) decides it is time to pop the question. This does not rest well with Martin's sons, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce), who have never warmed up to Sherry -- and are even less enamored of her once they learn some shocking facts about her past. Without giving away the ending of this episode, suffice to say that the cast of Frasier will soon be "lighter" by one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Martin (John Mahoney) and Sherry (Marsha Mason) have broken up over a silly quarrel. While Martin's son, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), is rather relieved to see the back of the bombastic Sherry, he soon realizes that his father is miserable without her. Thus it is that Frasier takes on the responsibility to patch up the quarrel using every professional skill (and subterfuge) at his disposal. Parts one and two of "Three Dates and a Breakup" originally aired as a single hour-long episode. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
Originally telecast as a one-hour episode, "Three Dates and a Breakup" has been split into two half-hour for syndication. In part one, Frasier's plans for a romantic weekend -- with no fewer than three lady friends -- are scuttled by his father Martin's girlfriend, Sherry (Marsha Mason). One thing leads to another, and before long Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) discovers that Sherry and Martin (John Mahoney) have broken up. Normally, this would be a great cause for celebration on Frasier's part, but... ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
Although Martin (John Mahoney) has patched up his quarrel with his lady friend Sherry (Marsha Mason), Martin's live-in caregiver Daphne (Jane Leeves) is not so politely inclined towards the older woman. Fed up with Sherry's meddling in her private life, Daphne walks out on Martin -- and temporarily moves in with Niles (David Hyde Pierce). Will Niles finally be able to consummate the Love That Dares Not Speak Its Name with the delectable Daphne, or will he come down with another case of cold feet? ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
Marsha Mason makes her first series appearance as brassy barmaid Sherry Dempsey. Upon meeting Sherry, widower Martin Crane (John Mahoney) instantly falls in love with her. Well and good -- except that the outspoken, banjo-playing Sherry does not pass muster with Martin's prissy, classical music-loving offspring, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce). Future Malcolm in the Middle star Jane Kaczmarek also appears in this episode. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) decides that the time has come to replace the worn-out knocker on his apartment door with a brand new one of elaborate design. In doing so, however, Frasier runs afoul of the condo's board of directors, who tyrannically refuse to grant permission for this improvement. Outraged, Frasier vows to change the condo's draconian rules by running for board president. The question: Is "regime change" always a good thing? ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
The 65th birthday of Martin Crane (John Mahoney) is rapidly approaching. This event also heralds a yearly ritual performed by Martin's sons, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce), to wit: virtually trampling over each another in their efforts to buy ever-increasingly expensive gifts for their dad. Without giving away any more of the plot, it can be said that the episode's biggest laugh is a horse laugh. Marsha Mason makes her first fifth-season appearance as Martin's lady friend Sherry Dempsey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Tom Selleck stars in this made-for-television movie about a judicial sting operation. Selleck stars as Judge Timothy Nash, a respected judge who's approached by special agents to take part in an undercover sting to expose a fellow judge's corrupt activities. At first Judge Nash is willing, but as the investigation grows, he gets cold feet and wants out -- only to find that it's too late to back out. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Selleck, Elizabeth McGovern, (more)
- 1989
Dinner at Eight is a TV remake of the 1933 MGM film of the same name; both films were adapted from the play by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber. While the basic plot point of a social-climbing woman (Marsha Mason) throwing a "best people" dinner party has not dated all that much, other elements prevalent in the 1933 version were due for an overhaul 56 years later. The aging, near-impoverished stage actress played con brio by Marie Dressler in the original becomes a jet-setting "literary raconteur" (read: "trash novelist") in the form of Lauren Bacall. And the alcoholic matinee idol portrayed by John Barrymore in 1933 is transformed into a Pacino type (Harry Hamlin) with a drug and attitude problem for the 1989 version. While not exactly improvements, these alterations do not stand out like sore thumbs, as do many past attempts at updating old material. Only Ellen Greene, in Jean Harlow's role as the floozielike wife of a corrupt businessman, falls short of the original. Produced by actress Shelley Duvall, the 1989 Dinner at Eight was first shown on December 11, 1989 over the TNT Cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A young boy retreats into a world of silence in this made-for-television drama. Kiefer Sutherland stars as Kevin Richter, an adolescent boy who has suffered from years of physical abuse. In an attempt to deal emotionally with the effects of the abuse, Kevin refuses to speak and instead lives in a world of silence. When child psychologist Jennifer Hubbell (Marsha Mason) becomes aware of his situation, she refuses to write him off as a hopeless case and works tirelessly to help him emerge from his protective shell. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Originally telecast in a three-hour network slot, Surviving is virtually two films in one. In the first 90 minutes, we see the identity crises and outside pressures that propel a "normal" teenaged boy (Zach Galligan) and a "disturbed" teenaged girl (Mollie Ringwald) into committing suicide together. The second portion of Surviving explores the emotional residue left behind by the youngsters' deadly pact. Specifically spotlighted are Zach's parents (Len Cariou and Ellen Burstyn), who feel that Molly goaded their boy into killing himself; and Molly's parents (Paul Sorvino, Marsha Mason) who are consumed with guilt over not catching on to the warning signs of their daughter's despair. Though the acting is overly ripe at times, Surviving never loses dramatic focus throughout its 150 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Hardly a person is now alive who does not remember the 1978 ecological disaster at the chemical-waste deposits in Love Canal, New York. This made-for-TV film stars Marsha Mason as housewife Lois Gibbs, who suspects that her children have fallen ill due to leakage of toxic waste at the nearby deposits. The New York State Department of Health closes down the elementary school, but for Lois and nearly 700 of her neighbors, this just isn't enough. Lois begins a loud and aggressive movement to force the United States Government to relocate the residents of Love Canal, and to reimburse them for the loss of their property. Robert Gunton co-stars as Lois' husband, who faces unemployment as the result of his wife's refusal to sit down and be quiet. Written for television by Michael Zagor, Lois Gibbs & the Love Canal had its broadcast premiere on February 17, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marsha Mason, Bob Gunton, (more)
- 1979
This documentary video focuses on a search for the secret of happiness. From religious cults and spiritualism, to overindulgence in food and sex, this is most interesting. ~ All Movie Guide
Jack O'Brien directed this 1978 televised production of Neil Simon's The Good Doctor. Adapted by Simon from a collection of stories by Russian author and playwright Anton Chekhov, the play features several characters all portrayed by the same six actors. The performers are Edward Asner, Bob Dishy, Gary Dontzig, Lee Grant, Marsha Mason, and Richard Chamberlain, who portrays Chekhov himself. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Chamberlain, Marsha Mason, (more)
In the Los Angeles of yoga, therapy, and well-off liberals, a divorcé decides that his ex-wife is the love of his life in Paul Mazursky's romantic comedy. Beverly Hills divorce lawyer Stephen Blume (George Segal) becomes his own client when his social worker wife Nina (Susan Anspach) throws him out for sleeping with his secretary. Only then does Blume realize that he can't live without Nina, even though she seems fine without him, and he has a new sex partner in divorcée Arlene (Marsha Mason). So what does he do to win Nina back? Befriend her laid-back musician beau, Elmo (Kris Kristofferson), show up at her house with breakfast bagels, eavesdrop on her therapy sessions, and forcibly impregnate her, of course. Banished to their former honeymoon site in Venice, Italy while Nina thinks things over, Blume reflects on his past and his obsession, as he dreamily hopes for the best. Cutting between Blume's musings on love and loss in Venice's Piazza San Marco and the events in L.A. that brought him there, Mazursky humorously yet sharply dissects the complications of marriage in the let-it-all-hang-out Me Decade of the 1970s. Blume and Nina face the same dilemma as the couples in Mazursky's 1969 hit Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice: how to mesh traditional vows with the new freedom and its temptations. In this case, it takes a divorce to convince the solipsistic Blume that the woman he wants most is his own wife. Considered by some critics one of the decade's best interrogations of contemporary coupledom, Blume in Love astutely captured the absurdity of Blume's self-involved romantic quest, while slyly celebrating the operatic spirit of love that drives him. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Segal, Susan Anspach, (more)
This version of the familiar tale Cyrano De Bergerac stars Peter Donat as the title character and Marsha Mason as the object of his desire. Cyrano is an intelligent, sensitive man who has been gifted with a poetic tongue and a great ability to sword fight. Sadly, he was also born with an unbelievably large nose. Although he loves Roxanne, he instead helps another man win her heart with his florid words. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1971
This documentary about the life and career of Clint Eastwood includes exclusive footage and interviews with a number of his colleagues and co-stars, including Geneviève Bujold, Frances Fisher, Gene Hackman, and Marsha Mason. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Leviathan child Michael (Michael Maitland) orders Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) to kill Julia. When Barnabas refuses, he is told that he will be returned to his vampire form unless he cooperates. As icing on the cake, Michael reveals that the Leviathans have a hostage -- Barnabas' long-lost love Josette Collins. A pre-Neil Simon Marsha Mason appears as Audrey, the Leviathan vampire. Episode 915 of Dark Shadows (there was no 914 due to a Christmas-day preemption) originally aired on December 29, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
A young hot rodder, needing money to go to college, decides to participate in an illegal drag race. He knows he has the fastest car around and so does his competitor who is willing to stop at nothing to win the large pot and begins plotting to shooting the hero. When the good driver's best friend learns of the scheme he races off to warn him. Unfortunately, the wicked driver runs him over right in front of the aspiring student's girl friend, who learns of the plot from the dying friend. The quick-witted girl saves her lover's life in one ingenious, and ultimately, gory stroke. The film was shot on location in Washington, D.C. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
