Maureen Stapleton Movies
A highly respected character actress of stage, screen, and occasional television, Maureen Stapleton has specialized in playing slightly unkempt, earthy, and/or eccentric women in dramas and comedies. Born June 21, 1925, Stapleton grew up dreaming of becoming a thespian like her idol Joel McCrea, and she went on to work her way through the Herbert Berghof Acting School as a waitress and a model. She made her Broadway debut in Burgess Meredith's production of The Playboy of the Western World (1946) and found herself a Broadway sensation five years later when she starred in Tennessee Williams' The Rose Tattoo, which earned her a Tony Award. This led to a successful stage career in which Stapleton often appeared in Williams' plays.Stapleton made her feature film debut playing a deeply disturbed advice columnist in Lonelyhearts (1958), a role that won her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. Throughout her career she would receive two more Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominations, for her work in Airport (1970) and Woody Allen's first drama, Interiors (1978), before winning the award for playing Emma Goldman in Reds (1981). Stapleton continued to appear on the screen throughout the 1980s and 1990s, showing up in such films as Cocoon (1985), Heartburn (1986), and the black comedy Addicted to Love (1987). She also continued to act on television, her notable efforts ranging from the romantic drama Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) to the highly acclaimed Miss Rose White in 1992. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Directed by Rick McKay, who traveled across five continents during the documentary's production, Broadway: The Golden Age is both a celebration of current Broadway stars and a tribute to Broadway legends past. Through a plethora of interviews and vast amounts of archival footage, McKay presents a variety of factoids, anecdotes, and memories from over 100 Broadway actors, writers, and directors. The careers of Laurette Taylor, Kim Hunter, Jessica Tandy, and Marlon Brando are all animatedly retold, as is some of the Broadway "lore of olde," such as Angela Lansbury's struggle to land a role in Mame and the shocked reaction to West Side Story on its opening night. In addition to footage and discussion regarding highly successful Broadway stars, a variety of actors recount their experiences and struggles in finding even a small amount of critical recognition. The cast includes Shirley MacLaine, Bea Arthur, Edie Adams, Alec Baldwin, and Kaye Ballard, and many others. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edie Adams, Bea Arthur, (more)
During her valedictorian address at her high school graduation, Renata Devereaux (Shanee Edwards) makes a startling confession: She's killed a fellow student. In flashbacks, she tells the story of how she came to accidentally drown a student (Charles Newmark) who taunted her. After that drowning, Renata, who can't keep out of trouble, helps her friend Jodi (Cherilyn Hayres) get an abortion, but the citizens of her small town, seeing Renata on television during an abortion protest, think Renata was the one that was pregnant. Consequently, Renata and Jodi have a lesbian fling. Life with her ex-sheriff father (Danny Aiello) and Zen-obsessed mother (Sally Kirkland) takes a dramatic turn during all of this, but somehow Renata is still the class valedictorian. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Jack Lemmon has mastered both stage and screen in his career with such hits as "The Odd Couple," "The Days of Wine and Roses," "The China Syndrome," "Save the Tiger" (for which he received an Oscar) and "Grumpy Old Men." He and Walter Matthau starred in numerous films together that were nearly always a hit. Lemmon has displayed a wide range of acting talents. He knows just how to make a character appear funny, sympathetic or absolutely driven. His ability to act in both solid dramas and lighthearted comedies has always served him well. Few can watch "The Days of Wine and Roses" without shedding a tear or laughing almost uncontrollably at his performances in both "The Odd Couple" or the original "The Out of Towners." Lemmon himself hosts this biography that includes interviews with many of his costars and colleagues such as playwright Neil Simon. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Chris Lemmon, (more)
- 1992
President Abraham Lincoln leads the Union in the fight to end the awful bloodshed of the Civil War. The year is 1863. The president had a continuous struggle with the commanders of his army, and the bloodshed from the fighting at Antietam and Fredericksburg distressed him greatly. 1863 was the year of his Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg Address. Listen to the story of the events that led to the amazing address at Gettysburg. Actor Jason Robards brings to life the voice of President Lincoln. PBS originally aired this program, the second of a four-volume set narrated by actor James Earl Jones. ~ Linda J. Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A shrewd politician, Abraham Lincoln had the intelligence, ambition, and principles to grow into his job as president. This is the first of four videos in the Lincoln series, which originally aired on PBS. Produced and directed by Peter W. Kunhardt, this program is narrated by renowned actor James Earl Jones, and features award-winning actor Jason Robards reading from letters, speeches, and diaries. Highlights include period photographs. The other three programs in the series are titled Lincoln: The Pivotal Year, 1863, Lincoln: I Want to Finish This Job, 1864, and Lincoln: Now He Belongs to the Ages, 1865. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1992
This video is the fourth installment of the Lincoln series, originally aired on PBS. This volume focuses on the last days and hours of Abraham Lincoln's life. Viewers watch as Lincoln's enemies plot their final revenge on the man they believed had dishonored their heritage. The video also reveals how Lincoln's own dreams foreshadowed his murder and how the series of public funerals, following his death, helped fuel his legendary status that has only grown with time. ~ Karla Baker, All Movie Guide
Based on an autobiography by Betty Rollin, this is a heart-tugger which finds a woman with cancer seeking the assistance of her daughter in fulfilling her last wish--a wish to die with dignity. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1992
By the third year of the Civil War, personal and national tragedy had worn down President Lincoln. However, he focused on his job tenaciously, having a strong sense of history. This is the third of four programs in the Lincoln series, which originally aired on PBS. Produced and directed by Peter W. Kunhardt, this program is narrated by renowned actor James Earl Jones and features award-winning actor Jason Robards reading from letters, speeches, and diaries. Highlights include period photographs. The other three programs in the series are titled Lincoln: The Making of a President, 1860-1862, Lincoln: The Pivotal Year, 1863, and Lincoln: Now He Belongs to the Ages, 1865. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In this Hallmark Hall of Fame TV film set in the post-war era, Kyra Sedgwick is the title character, a New Yorker who has long kept her Jewish heritage under wraps. Born in Poland but sent to the U.S. before the Holocaust, the young career woman receives word that the older sister she presumed was dead has in fact survived the Nazi terror and is coming to America, forcing Rose to confront her own past and future. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maureen Stapleton, Kyra Sedgwick, (more)
This was the "unofficial" Liberace biopic, as opposed to the error-ridden "official" Liberace (telecast one week earlier in October of 1988). The star of Liberace: Behind the Music is Broadway actor Victor Garber, who later scored a personal triumph as the devilish Mr. Applegate in the revival of Damn Yankees. Behind the Music is an unauthorized TV movie based on the recollections of the pianist's business manager, giving scriptwriter Gavin Lambert far more leeway in delineating the title character, warts and all. The closing sequences delve much deeper into the AIDS question than was possible in the family-approved Liberace starring Andrew Robinson (who, to be fair, looks more like the real entertainer than does Victor Garber). Liberace: Behind the Music could have descended into tabloidism ("Behind the rumors and the secrets" read the advertising copy), but emerges as a work of conspicuous dignity and (reasonably) good taste. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor Garber, Maureen Stapleton, (more)
- 1986
Animation veteran Faith Hubley worked solo for the first time since her husband's death in 1977 to oversee the feature-length cartoon The Cosmic Eye. The film concentrates on nothing less than the evolution of the earth, as seen through the eyes of three ultracool jazz musicians. Newly filmed material is blended with earlier Hubley projects to come up with an immensely satisfying unified whole. The animation is brilliantly complemented by the voicework (and musical contributions) of Dizzy Gillespie as the head musician, and by the soothing tones of Jean Stapleton as the humanized Earth. The film's overall message of peace, tolerance and conservation is never offered in the sledgehammer fashion of say, TV's Captain Planet. Completed in 1985, The Cosmic Eye was distributed on a limited basis the following year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this drama, the failed pilot for a TV series, a psychologist endeavors to balance his turbulent personal life, with those of his troubled patients. Unfortunately, he tends to get equally personally involved in both and trouble ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Forgotten photography pioneer Lewis Hine, 1874-1940) is the subject of this fascinating documentary on a man who ironically died in poverty after spending his life chronicling its American manifestation. In 1905, Hine began photographing immigrants as they came off Ellis Island, a high-point in his career that continued with views of child labor in the mines and elsewhere (1907-1909), and followed workers at their jobs in mills, factories, slums, tenant farms, and wherever people worked long and hard hours for bare survival. In 1932, Hine finished his photographs on the construction of the Empire State Building, taking great chances to get the best shots. His eventual collection of over 15,000 black-and-white photos slowed down when he went to work for Roosevelt's government in the 1930s and was stymied by red tape and internal disagreements. Hines' oeuvre and life are covered by examples of his photos, historical footage, and interviews with his contemporaries. This is not only a valuable film for its historical record, but is also dramatic, evocative, and never boring. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- 1984
In this sad melodrama, a dying Broadway producer decides to adopt a sweet young girl to keep her husband company after she passes on. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jaclyn Smith, David Dukes, (more)
- 1984
Little Gloria...Happy at Last is the two-part TV adaptation of Barbara Goldsmith's 1980 best-seller. The film concerns the true-life custody battle over the daughter of millionaire Reggie Vanderbilt (Christopher Plummer) and his "child bride," Gloria Morgan (Lucy Gutteridge). When the over-imbibing Reggie dies, Gloria enjoys the high life as a wealthy widow, leaving her daughter in the care of her sister-in-law, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (chillingly portrayed by Angela Lansbury in her TV-movie debut). Gloria's personal income, predicated on the child's inheritance, is severely cut, whereupon Gloria sues the indomitable Vanderbilts for custody of her daughter. We won't tell you the outcome, but we can tell you that "Little Gloria," the ten-year-old focus of the custody fight, grew up to be the same Gloria Vanderbilt who went into the designer jeans business. Little Gloria...Happy at Last was originally telecast October 24 and 25, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Maureen Stapleton, Stefanie Powers and Melissa Gilbert represent three generations of women in one family in this made-for-TV movie. Recently widowed, Stapleton invites her divorced daughter Powers, and Powers' illegitimate daughter Gilbert, for a weekend get-together. The catalyst for the film's cascade of bickering, reminiscences, and regrets is Stapleton's announcement that she plans to move from the family home and into a condominium. In addition to starring, Stefanie Powers also came up with the film's premise and functioned as co-producer. A "General Foods Showcase" TV presentation, Family Secrets first aired on May 13, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Part of the Broadway Theater Archives, this stage production of Lewis Carroll's children's fantasy Alice in Wonderland was directed by Kirk Browning. Kate Burton plays young Alice, the little girl who wanders into a bizarre wonderland that just gets more and more curious. Her real-life father, Richard Burton, plays the White Knight. Also starring Eve Arden as the Queen of Hearts, Maureen Stapleton as the White Queen, and Donald O'Connor as the Mock Turtle. Broadway star Nathan Lane can also be seen in one of his earliest roles as the Dormouse. Alice in Wonderland was originally broadcast on PBS in 1983 as an episode of Great Performances. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kate Burton, Richard Burton, (more)
- 1983
Documentary filmmaker Claudio Masenza, cinematic chronicler of the lives of Marlon Brando and James Dean, turns his attentions to the tragic film idol Montgomery Clift. Masenza offers a cursory synopsis of Clift's stage work (including The Skin of Our Teeth), then launches into a paean of the actor's film career, beginning with The Search (1947) and ending with The Defector (1966). It comes as no surprise that the film dwells upon Clift's erratic behavior, his quicksilver temperament, his sexual ambiguity, and his near-fatal 1957 auto accident. At 2 hours, the film leaves few stones unturned, though repetition is the order of the day during some stretches. Still, Montgomery Clift is a valuable primer for anyone unfamiliar with this compellingly unique performer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin McCarthy, Augusta Dabney, (more)
- 1981
The Electric Grandmother was the second TV adaptation of Ray Bradbury's I Sing the Body Electric (the first was presented on The Twilight Zone in 1962). Maureen Stapleton plays the title character, a custom-made android purchased by widowed Edward Hermann. "Grandma", a magical creation who can read minds and conjure up meals literally at her fingertips, is supposed to act as surrogate mother to Herrmann's three children; two of the kids accept her immediately, but the third (Tara Kennedy) is hostile. The relationship thaws after Grandma saves the little girl's life. Years later, the grown-up children tearfully bid their Grandma a fond farewell; but the grandmother eventually cares for the children after they themselves have grown old. Paul Benedict costars as cheerfully eccentric robot creator Guido Fantoccini. Adapted for television by Ray Bradbury and Jeffrey Kindley, the 60-minute The Electric Grandmother first aired as an NBC "Project Peacock" special on January 17, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Ed Asner dominated the proceedings of the 1977 TV movie The Gathering; inasmuch as Asner's character died at the end of that film, he is absent from the 1979 sequel The Gathering, Part 2. Said sequel could certainly have benefitted from Asner's presence, no matter how illogical that presence might have been. In Part 2, widowed Maureen Stapleton gathers her family together for the first Christmas after the death of her husband. She is being wooed by handsome industrialist Efrem Zimbalist Jr., and the family (Rebecca Balding, Gail Strickland, Bruce Davison et.al.) isn't all that keen on this contingency. Even more so than the first film, The Gathering, Part 2 has the smell of a pilot. It was originally networkcast on December 17, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Frank is Frank Miller (Art Carney), a 65 year old newspaper man. His letters are to his oldest son Richard (Mike Farrell), and they're decidedly on the vitriolic side. Frank, you see, was involuntarily retired from his job and replaced by a computer. But with the help and support of his wife Betty (Maureen Stapleton), Frank bucks the system and comes out on top. The script of the made-for-TV Letters from Frank was flexible enough to allow for a wide range of ages in the supporting cast, from seventysomething veterans Margaret Hamilton and Lew Ayres to 19-year-old relative newcomer Michael J. Fox (billed ninth, without the "J"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
This 1979 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Maureen Stapleton and features musical guests Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maureen Stapleton, Linda Ronstadt, (more)
- 1977
The Gathering stars Ed Asner as an ill-tempered executive who long ago walked out on his family. Just before Christmas, Asner is told that he has only a few weeks to live. He confides this information to his estranged wife Maureen Stapleton, who suggests that he call his four adult children (Gail Strickland, Gregory Harrison, Rebecca Balding, Lawrence Pressman) together for one last reunion. He agrees on the proviso that they not be told of his imminent death. Of the four offspring, Asner is most trepidatious about seeing Harrison, who was virtually disowned when he moved to Canada during the Vietnam War. But The Gathering is a Christmas movie, and does its best to stay heartwarming. Made for TV and first shown December 4, 1977, The Gathering was the pilot for a potential series--(presumably one without Ed Asner, unless his character suddenly experienced a miracle cure). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
This TV adaptation of Tennessee Williams' prize-winning play stars Robert Wagner as Brick, a college sports champion who hasn't made it in the real world, and Natalie Wood as Brick's wife Maggie, the sexually frustrated "cat" of the title. Brick and Maggie are staying at the home of Brick's wealthy parents, Big Daddy and Big Mama, as are Brick's successful brother Gooper and Gooper's eternally pregnant wife Mae. Big Daddy (Laurence Olivier) has been seriously ill, thus his offspring are concerned over the size of their inheritance. It has been hinted that Big Daddy will leave his fortune to Brick provided Maggie produces a child, but the marriage has been plagued by Brick's refusal to sleep with his wife, and by a dark secret in Brick's past life that has brought about impotence and alcoholism. The reason for Brick's insecurity is his past friendship with school buddy Skipper, a homosexual who'd committed suicide. Brick believes that Big Daddy is convinced that Brick and Skipper "had sodomy together", and Gooper delights in taunting Brick over this. Big Mama learns that Big Daddy has inoperable cancer, and determines to keep the truth from her husband. She also knows that Brick is Big Daddy's favorite son, thus rejects Gooper's cold-blooded attempts to set up a trusteeship for Big Daddy's estate. In the final scene, Maggie lies to Big Daddy that she is pregnant, and Big Daddy (unaware of his imminent doom) chooses to believe her. Brick will get the estate, and Maggie will hopefully convince her husband to makes theirs a "real" marriage. A made-for-TV production, the 1976 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is more sexually explicit than the censor-ridden 1958 Hollywood version, but isn't quite as strong dramatically despite its powerhouse cast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, (more)
