Opening Night

Opening Night

144 mins | Drama | Dec. 22, 1977

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.

Opening Night

144 mins | Drama | Dec. 22, 1977

Opening Night
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.
IMDb rating 7.9
Producers Faces Distribution
Original title Opening Night
Directors Lisa Hallas-Gottlieb, John Cassavetes
Writers John Cassavetes

Cast

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 P. Finnegan

as Bobby

Louise Lewis

as Kelly (as Louise Fitch)

Fred Draper

as Leo

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)