Opening Night

2h 24min

Drama

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.

Cast

Gena Rowlands

Gena Rowlands

Myrtle Gordon
John Cassavetes

John Cassavetes

Maurice Aarons
Ben Gazzara

Ben Gazzara

Manny Victor
Joan Blondell

Joan Blondell

Sarah Goode
Paul Stewart

Paul Stewart

David Samuels
Zohra Lampert

Zohra Lampert

Dorothy Victor
Laura Johnson

Laura Johnson

Nancy Stein
John Tuell

John Tuell

Gus Simmons
Louise Lewis

Louise Lewis

Kelly (as Louise Fitch)
Lady Rowlands

Lady Rowlands

Melva Drake
Angelo Grisanti

Angelo Grisanti

Charlie Spikes
Meade Roberts

Meade Roberts

Eddie Stein
Eleanor Zee

Eleanor Zee

Sylvia Stein
Jimmy Christie

Jimmy Christie

News Stand Operator
Jimmy Joyce

Jimmy Joyce

Bartender
Peter Lampert

Peter Lampert

Maitre d'
Patrick Labyorteaux

Patrick Labyorteaux

Child Actor Playing Vito (uncredited)
Roni-Sue Kiser

Roni-Sue Kiser

Autograph Seeker (uncredited)
Naomi Stevens

Naomi Stevens

Crying Mourner (uncredited)
Seymour Cassel

Seymour Cassel

Self (uncredited)
Peter Falk

Peter Falk

Self (uncredited)
Peter Bogdanovich

Peter Bogdanovich

Self (uncredited)

Release date

22nd Dec 1977

Status

Released

Spoken languages

English