1984 television film by Glenn Jordan
Heartsounds
is an American
drama
television film
directed by
Glenn Jordan
and written by
Fay Kanin
, based on the book
Heartsounds: The Story of a Love and Loss
by Martha Weinman Lear. It stars
Mary Tyler Moore
and
James Garner
, with
Sam Wanamaker
,
Wendy Crewson
,
David Gardner
, and
Carl Marotte
in supporting roles. Produced by
Embassy Television
, the film premiered on
ABC
on September 30, 1984, as part of the anthology series
ABC Theater
.
Heartsounds
received three
Primetime Emmy Award
nominations:
Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special
,
Outstanding Lead Actor
for Garner, and
Outstanding Lead Actress
for Moore. The film was honored with the
Peabody Award
to
ABC Theater
, while Garner was also nominated for a
Golden Globe Award
for his performance.
Plot
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New York urologist Harold Lear gets a taste of his own medicine when he suffers a heart attack and is confronted with a medical institution which does not seem equipped to help. Wife Martha steps in to fight the system and get a measure of service and compassion. Ultimately the greatest battle is not waged against the medical profession, however, but against Lear's own failing body and his own mortal fears.
Cast
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- Mary Tyler Moore
as Martha Weinman Lear
- James Garner
as Harold Lear
- Sam Wanamaker
as Moe Silverman
- Wendy Crewson
as Judy
- David Gardner
as Barney Knapp
- Carl Marotte
as Michael
- Wayne Best as Intern, Lover
- Anthony Bishop as Proprietor
- David Bolt as Psychoanalyst
- David Clement as Dr. Bell
- Beverly Cooper as Nurse Lark
- Eve Crawford as Ruth Nathanson
- Sandy Crawley as Chief Resident
- Marvin Goldhar
as Mr. Weinman
- Lynne Gorman as Mrs. Bailey
- Patricia Hamilton
as Flo
- Tom Harvey as Walter Simon
- Meg Hogarth as Estelle
- Cec Linder
as Dr. Lorber
- Doris Petrie
as Mrs. Weinman
- Steve Petrie as Chet
- Maida Rogerson as Annie
- Michael J. Reynolds
as Dr. Roberts
- Francoise Vallee as The Neurologist
- Paul Vincent as Fred, The Doorman
- Jimmy Williams as Carl (as Jim Williams)
- George E. Zeeman as Dr. Gross (as George Zeeman)
Production
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Veteran television producer
Norman Lear
, who was Harold Lear's cousin, produced the film, initially offering the lead role to
Paul Newman
in anticipation of a theatrical release. Uneasy about the prospect of portraying an infirm and moribund character, Newman declined to participate.
[1]
Garner, however, had been in and out of hospitals from the age of five and had no reservations about accepting the role.
According to
The Washington Post
, author Martha Weinman Lear said: "I'm thrilled by the casting" and "I'm extremely lucky to have landed in the care of all these people… The screenplay is incredibly faithful to the spirit and substance of the book."
[2]
Reception
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Critical response
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The New York Times
'
television critic
John J. O'Connor
wrote that "the film packs something of the wallop of a powerful and unblinking documentary" and lauded the performances of Moore and Garner.
[3]
The
Peabody Awards
noted that "both Moore and Garner turn in captivating performances and take full advantage of a lean and emotionally powerful script."
[4]
In the wake of his "frighteningly convincing"
[3]
performance, Garner was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Accolades
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References
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External links
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