ENTERTAINER, THE (TV)
Summary
This film musical, set against the backdrop of World War II and composed by Marvin Hamlisch, stars Jack Lemmon as washed-up vaudevillian Archie Rice. Presented commercial-free by Mobil gasoline, the program opens with Archie flopping yet again in front of disinterested fans. That night, his daughter Jean returns from service as an army nurse, bringing momentary joy to the family. Archie's second wife, the always-angry Phoebe; his equally angry older son Frank; and his father, legendary retired performer Billy Rice are also introduced. The owner of Archie's theater, Charlie, tells him that his and the theater's days are numbered as no one is interested in vaudeville any more. A distraught Archie tries to resurrect his career by recruiting a beauty pageant runner-up Bambi Pasko to be his partner, both onstage and extra-maritally. Meanwhile, Phoebe anxiously awaits the return of their youngest son Mickey from war. Billy intentionally tells Barbi about Phoebe, effectively ruining Archie's briefly resurrected stage career and love life. This in turn causes the investors to pull out their financing for Archie's show. A surprise is around the corner, though, as Billy decides to return to the stage. However, death also looms for the Rice family.
Cataloging of this program is made possible by Verizon Foundation, 2003.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: March 10, 1976 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:58:50
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:03642
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1976
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Mobil gasoline
CREDITS
- Beryl Vertue … Producer
- Marvin Hamlisch … Producer, Music by
- Robert T. Skodis … Associate Producer
- Donald Wrye … Director
- Elliott Baker … Writer
- John Osborne … Writer, Based on the play by
- Robert Joseph … Lyricist
- Tim Rice … Lyricist
- Jack Lemmon … Cast, Archie Rice
- Ray Bolger … Cast, Billy Rice
- Sada Thompson … Cast, Phoebe
- Tyne Daly … Cast, Jean
- Michael Cristofer … Cast, Frank
- Annette O'Toole … Cast , Bambi Pasko
- Mitch Ryan (See also: Mitchell Ryan) … Cast, Mr. Pasko
- Allyn Ann McLerie … Cast, Mrs. Pasko
- Dick O'Neill … Cast, Charlie
- Leanna Johnson Heath … Cast, Charleen
- Rita O'Connor … Cast, Lilly
- Alan DeWitt … Cast, Bakery Clerk