December 22, 1977
144 minutes
Drama
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.
Trailer
Cast
Gena Rowlands
(Myrtle Gordon)
John Cassavetes
(Maurice Aarons)
Ben Gazzara
(Manny Victor)
Joan Blondell
(Sarah Goode)
Paul Stewart
(David Samuels)
Zohra Lampert
(Dorothy Victor)
Laura Johnson
(Nancy Stein)
John Tuell
(Gus Simmons)
Ray Powers
(Jimmy)
John Finnegan
(Bobby)
Louise Lewis
(Kelly (as Louise Fitch))
Fred Draper
(Leo)
Katherine Cassavetes
(Vivian)
Lady Rowlands
(Melva Drake)
Carol Warren
(Carla)
Briana Carver
(Lena)
Angelo Grisanti
(Charlie Spikes)
Meade Roberts
(Eddie Stein)
Eleanor Zee
(Sylvia Stein)
David Rowlands
(Doorman)
Sharon Van Ivan
(Shirley)
Jimmy Christie
(News Stand Operator)
James Karen
(Bellboy)
Jimmy Joyce
(Bartender)
Sherry Bain
(Barmaid)
Sylvia Davis Shaw
(Hotel Maid)
Peter Lampert
(Maitre d')
Patrick Labyorteaux
(Child Actor Playing Vito (uncredited))
Roni-Sue Kiser
(Autograph Seeker (uncredited))
Naomi Stevens
(Crying Mourner (uncredited))
Seymour Cassel
(Self (uncredited))
Peter Falk
(Self (uncredited))
Peter Bogdanovich
(Self (uncredited))
