This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

A Disappointing Continuation

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

I never watched Rich Man, Poor Man until right now, never got a chance to see it back in 1976. But it was worth the wait. And I definitely see why it was so award laden at the time. Especially refreshing was Susan Blakely as Julie Prescott. One thing I can say is that the female characters seemed to be woven from the same neurotic cloth. And everyone seems to have a jaundiced view of life, even Rudy Jordache. As written in the teleplay, it is heavy handed and can seem overly depressing at times. Ed Asner has a repetitively boorish role but is convincing as hardened by life patriarch Axel Jordache. Everyone involved seems to be too old for their roles, but what the heck, it's Peter Strauss, a young neophyte Nick Nolte, Talia Shire, Ed Asner, Robert Reed, Ray Milland, Kim Darby, and the great Dorothy McGuire. And a smarmy Bill Bixby. All in all, not bad.

I saw this Great series when it first aired. NICK NOLTE,ED ASNER and WILLIAM SMITH as FALCONETTI swipe the limelight,but of course,WILLIAM SMITH tops them all in the few episodes he appeared. WILLIAM SMITH a Highly Intelligent man who speaks several languages,a Korean war Veteran and former College Professor creates the Villain that goes down as the BEST Villain in Cinematic History. WILLIAM SMITH is SO good,that for the second series(RMPM Book 2)NOT an Irwin Shaw based work,into 17 out of 21 episodes and an EMMY nomination. Irwin Shaw wrote the Character of FALCONETTI as a Ship-Board Bloated Bully with a Turnip head. Glad the producers of this Series went the OTHER direction in casting Big BILL SMITH. After this grand show(not without script flaws)had it's run,BILL SMITH became SO popular,he was given his Own square on the Hollywood Squares game show,and went off to do the sequel. BILL SMITH of TV's "Laredo" etc etc etc landed the Role that put him "On the map". A great series depicting post World War II and the German/American upstate NY Jordache Family and the hard-Luck of Both Brothers with their rugged childhood,wild insane genes,trying to cope. The title I believe refers to ONLY Rudy Jordache(PETER STRAUSS) AS both A Rich Man AND a Poor man and NOT what would believe of Tom Jordache being the "Poor Man".

The casting was perfect, as was the acting. Nick Nolte obviously gained or lost 20 pounds to show the same character, age 17 and 35. Nolte stole the show. Peter Strauss was excellent and conveyed a wide range of emotions, from reserved and shy to ruthless and forceful as Rudy. Susan Blakely was always an underrated actress. She should have been an A-lister to the highest degree. She brought a lot of passion to her role. Bill Bixby, Kay Lenz, and Ray Milland were excellent, as were Ed Asner and Dorothy McGuire. William Smith played the role of an obnoxious bully to the hilt. He seemed all to real. Flawless production.

Does anyone remember the 1976 series Rich man,poor man?Irecently bought the VHS tapes and thoroughly enjoyed watching it again.However, I definitely remember little bits and pieces that were not in these tapes.I also remember Rudy avenging his brother's death (Tom) at the hands of Falconneti.Did I imagine this?To say the least,it was very disappointing to watch 12 hours of this and not see the ending which I do remember very well.Almost like reading a book all the way through and then finding out the last chapter is missing.If anybody else has noticed this.please mail me at eratony@yahoo.com Also remember Rudy saying"give me a million dollars and I'll make another million",or something to that effect.