Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Rich and Famous

  • 1981
  • R
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Candice Bergen and Jacqueline Bisset in Rich and Famous (1981)
Liz and Merry become BFFs in college. A decade later, Liz is a serious writer with writer's block, whereas Merry's a housewife/mom. She's written a novel. Other bestsellers, riches and fame follow.
Play trailer2:44
1 Video
30 Photos
Drama

Liz and Merry become BFFs in college. A decade later, Liz is a serious writer with writer's block, and Merry is a homemaker and a mom who has written a novel. Other bestsellers, riches, and ... Read allLiz and Merry become BFFs in college. A decade later, Liz is a serious writer with writer's block, and Merry is a homemaker and a mom who has written a novel. Other bestsellers, riches, and fame follow.Liz and Merry become BFFs in college. A decade later, Liz is a serious writer with writer's block, and Merry is a homemaker and a mom who has written a novel. Other bestsellers, riches, and fame follow.

  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • John Van Druten
    • Gerald Ayres
  • Stars
    • Jacqueline Bisset
    • Candice Bergen
    • David Selby
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George Cukor
    • Writers
      • John Van Druten
      • Gerald Ayres
    • Stars
      • Jacqueline Bisset
      • Candice Bergen
      • David Selby
    • 29User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:44
    Trailer

    Photos30

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 23
    View Poster

    Top cast52

    Edit
    Jacqueline Bisset
    Jacqueline Bisset
    • Liz Hamilton
    Candice Bergen
    Candice Bergen
    • Merry Noel Blake
    David Selby
    David Selby
    • Doug Blake
    Hart Bochner
    Hart Bochner
    • Chris Adams
    Steven Hill
    Steven Hill
    • Jules Levi
    Meg Ryan
    Meg Ryan
    • Debby - Age 18
    Matt Lattanzi
    Matt Lattanzi
    • The Boy - Jim
    Daniel Faraldo
    Daniel Faraldo
    • Ginger Trinidad
    Nicole Eggert
    Nicole Eggert
    • Debby - Age 8
    Joe Maross
    Joe Maross
    • Martin Fornam
    Kres Mersky
    • Judy Heller
    Cloyce Morrow
    • Martha Antilles
    Cheryl Robinson
    Cheryl Robinson
    • UCLA Voice
    • (voice)
    Allan Warnick
    Allan Warnick
    • Desk Clerk
    Ann Risley
    Ann Risley
    • Max's Wife
    Damion Scheller
    • Max's Son
    Haley Fox
    • Max's Daughter
    Fay Kanin
    Fay Kanin
    • Professor Fields
    • Director
      • George Cukor
    • Writers
      • John Van Druten
      • Gerald Ayres
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    5.82.1K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    7arichmondfwc

    New Acquaintance

    George Cukor is and always will be one of my favorites. The unsung hero of his generation. Nobody mentions Cukor in the same breath as John Ford, Howard Hawks, William Wyler or Billy Wilder and yet, look at his filmography. From sparkling comedies "The Philadelphia Story" "Adam's Rib" "Holiday" Psycho melodramas "Gaslight" "A Double Life" a great semi western "Heller in Pink Tights" not to mention "My Fair Lady" or "Travels with my Aunt" He was at the service of his actors, he never put himself in front of the camera. I feel a certain tenderness watching "Rich and Famous" flashes of the old master still very much in evidence. Candice Bergen gives us for the first time in her career glimpses of the wonderful comedian she was about to become. Jacqueline Bisset is a throwback to the days of Greer Garson and Loretta Young and Hart Bochner steps in, teasing us, promising something spectacular that will eventually materialize in 1989 with "Apartment Zero", Meg Ryan, as Bergen's daughter is already Meg Ryan. As tired as the formula is, it remains a Cukor film and for what I gather one of Almodovar's favorite movies.
    5mollytinkers

    Basically an R-rated ABC movie of the week kind of thing

    If you're old enough to remember when television networks aired movies of the week--usually part 1 on Sunday nights and part 2 on Tuesday nights--you'll probably understand how this film fits into that, at least in my view. Remakes, reboots, and reworkings have been a part of storytelling since it began, but the question I'm left with is...why? Why did someone decide that Old Acquaintance, with Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins, would work as an updated, R-rated film, especially with a television-like feel to it?

    I disagree with reviewers who say this is wonderfully cast. Yes, there is chemistry between Bisset and Bergen, but that doesn't mean it works for the film as a whole. I do, however, agree that Bergen's southern accent is more than just distracting. She slips in and out of it so often, I wanted to stop watching.

    The movie did, in my opinion, pick up around the 1 hr 30 min mark; and that's the only reason I watched it in its entirety. It was fun and slightly nostalgic to see Meg Ryan in her debut. And I also agree with other reviewers who comment on Ms. Bergen's cool wardrobe. I also reluctantly concede that Deleure's music score is too sappy for this production.

    In all, it's average and nothing more. If you're big fans of either of the lead actresses, it's worth your time. Otherwise, it's kind of a snooze fest.
    6SnoopyStyle

    female friendship

    In 1959, roommates Liz Hamilton (Jacqueline Bisset) and Merry Noel (Candice Bergen) are best friends in Smith College. Merry runs off to marry Doug Blake. Liz goes on to become a serious writer. Merry has a daughter, a large beach house in Malibu, and writes a trashy novel about her neighbors. Liz brings it to her publisher and Merry becomes an overwhelming success.

    Hey! It's Meg Ryan in her debut. This wants to be a serious movie about a female friendship but at times, it falls down into trashy romance novels. Candice Bergen is too flighty and she doesn't fit the role. As for Bisset, she's solid until the movie gives her a boy toy. It's not so much a meet-cute but rather a creepy stalking. For every step forward, this movie takes a step back. The potential for a great movie about female friendship is here. It has two solid actresses. It needs more scenes with them together. They could show the changes in their relationship with those scenes. It also needs to cut out some of the more pulpy elements and clunky dialogue.
    Olivier-3

    A beautiful movie about friendship!

    Okay, it is not the most upbeat movie ever shot, but it is for sure one of the smartest and deepest pictures about friendship. Candice Bergen and Jacqueline Bisset shine as two intelligent women who found wiseness, if not happiness, through the cracks of personal failure. Plus, this was Meg Ryan's first appearance, in a small role as Candice Bergen's daughter!
    8Boyo-2

    Very entertaining and well-cast

    Both Jackie and Candice are terrific in this movie. They are well-suited to their roles and have several chances to shine. In particular, the way Candice pronounces the words "Puerto Rican" is very funny, as she is being kind as she can be but condescending at the same time. I had seen the original of this movie, called "Old Acquaintance", starring Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins. They allegedly did not get along, so because the movie is about female friendship, that might have been a problem. Here, the actresses clearly admire and respect each other. Hart Bochner and Meg Ryan have supporting parts and are both excellent, in particular Bochner, who never got many decent parts in movies, as far as I am concerned. George Cukor did not make another movie after this, so this was a good one to go out on.

    More like this

    In Country
    5.9
    In Country
    Jacknife
    6.4
    Jacknife
    Advise & Consent
    7.7
    Advise & Consent
    The Carey Treatment
    6.1
    The Carey Treatment
    The Gypsy Moths
    6.3
    The Gypsy Moths
    Les Girls
    6.6
    Les Girls
    The Sandpiper
    6.2
    The Sandpiper
    Micki + Maude
    6.0
    Micki + Maude
    Pete 'n' Tillie
    6.2
    Pete 'n' Tillie
    I Walk the Line
    6.5
    I Walk the Line
    Speedway
    5.5
    Speedway
    Star 80
    6.8
    Star 80

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Robert Mulligan started directing, but he had to bow out after four days filming due to the 1981 strike by the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The film was shut down for three months and when production re-commenced, scheduling conflicts meant Mulligan had to withdraw from the film and as such the director was replaced with veteran George Cukor. He was 81 years old and in semi-retirement when he was persuaded to direct. This is Cukor's final film as director.
    • Goofs
      Merry is in bed when she suddenly comes up with title for her next novel - "Home Cookin'". But a moment later, when she rushes into her office, that title is already scrawled across the blackboard where she jots down her ideas.
    • Quotes

      Liz Hamilton: I have a quote: I find this mid-century obsession with young flesh obscene! It's like eating green cantaloupes!

    • Alternate versions
      2 sex scenes are cut in US version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: So Fine, Gallipoli, Cattle Annie and Little Britches, True Confessions, Rich and Famous (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Take Me for a Buggy Ride
      Written by Mezz Mezzrow, Wesley Wilson (uncredited)

      Sung by Bessie Smith

      Courtesy of CBS Records

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ18

    • How long is Rich and Famous?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 9, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Ricas y famosas
    • Filming locations
      • Algonquin Hotel - 59 W. 44th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(exterior: hotel)
    • Production companies
      • Jaquet
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,492,125
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,492,125
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 57m(117 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.