Opening Night

7.6

144 minutes

12/22/1977

Overview

Actress Myrtle Gordon is a functioning alcoholic who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's attention. Myrtle internalizes the accident and goes on a spiritual quest, but fails to finds the answers she is after. As opening night inches closer and closer, fragile Myrtle must find a way to make the show go on.

Cast List

Gena Rowlands
as Myrtle Gordon
John Cassavetes
as Maurice Aarons
Ben Gazzara
as Manny Victor
Joan Blondell
as Sarah Goode
Paul Stewart
as David Samuels
Zohra Lampert
as Dorothy Victor
Laura Johnson
as Nancy Stein
John Tuell
as Gus Simmons
Ray Powers
as Jimmy
John Finnegan
as Bobby
Louise Lewis
as Kelly (as Louise Fitch)
Fred Draper
as Leo
Katherine Cassavetes
as Vivian
Lady Rowlands
as Melva Drake
Carol Warren
as Carla
Briana Carver
as Lena
Angelo Grisanti
as Charlie Spikes
Meade Roberts
as Eddie Stein
Eleanor Zee
as Sylvia Stein
David Rowlands
as Doorman
Sharon Van Ivan
as Shirley
Jimmy Christie
as News Stand Operator
James Karen
as Bellboy
Jimmy Joyce
as Bartender
Sherry Bain
as Barmaid
Sylvia Davis Shaw
as Hotel Maid
Peter Lampert
as Maitre d'
Patrick Labyorteaux
as Child Actor Playing Vito (uncredited)
Roni-Sue Kiser
as Autograph Seeker (uncredited)
Naomi Stevens
as Crying Mourner (uncredited)
Seymour Cassel
as Self (uncredited)
Peter Falk
as Self (uncredited)
Peter Bogdanovich
as Self (uncredited)