''Heartsounds'' is an American

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has b ...

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

directed by

Glenn Jordan Glenn Jordan (born April 5, 1936) is a retired American television director and producer. Born in San Antonio, Texas, Jordan directed multiple episodes of ''Family'' and helmed numerous television movies, several based on real persons as divers ...

and written by

Fay Kanin Fay Kanin (née Mitchell; May 9, 1917March 27, 2013) was an American screenwriter, playwright and producer. Kanin was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1979 to 1983. Biography Born Fay Mitchell in New York City t ...

, based on the book ''Heartsounds: The Story of a Love and Loss'' by Martha Weinman Lear. It stars

Mary Tyler Moore Mary Tyler Moore (December 29, 1936 – January 25, 2017) was an American actress, producer, and social advocate. She is best known for her roles on ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'' (1961–1966) and ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' (1970–1977), which ...

and

James Garner James Garner (born James Scott Bumgarner; April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor. He played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, including ''The Great Escape (film), The Great Escape'' (1963) with Steve McQueen; Paddy ...

, with

Sam Wanamaker Samuel Wanamaker, (born Wattenmacker; June 14, 1919 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor and director who moved to the United Kingdom after becoming fearful of being blacklisted in Hollywood due to his communist views. He is credited a ...

Wendy Crewson Wendy Jane Crewson (born May 9, 1956) is a Canadian actress and producer. She began her career appearing on Canadian television, before her breakthrough role in 1991 dramatic film ''The Doctor (1991 film), The Doctor''. Crewson has appeared in ma ...

, David Gardner, and

Carl Marotte Carl Marotte (born February 25, 1959) is a Canadian actor from Montreal, Quebec. He is a 1979 graduate of Dawson College's Professional Theatre Program and has received a Gemini Award nomination for his role in the television movie ''Net Worth'' ...

in supporting roles. Produced by

Embassy Television ELP Communications (formerly known as T.A.T. Communications Company, Embassy Television, Embassy Telecommunications, and Embassy Communications) was an American television production company that originally began in 1974. History Beginning EL ...

, the film premiered on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

on September 30, 1984, as part of the anthology series ''

ABC Theater ''ABC Theater'' is an American television anthology series that aired on ABC and featured quality dramatic presentations over a period of 12 years. Although some sources indicate the series began in 1974, ABC lists the first production in 1972, ...

''. ''Heartsounds'' received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations: Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special, Outstanding Lead Actor for Garner, and Outstanding Lead Actress for Moore. Garner was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance. The film was honored with the Peabody Award to ''ABC Theater''.

Plot

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 his own mortal fears.

Cast

as Martha Weinman Lear *

as Harold Lear *

as Moe Silverman *

as Judy * David Gardner as Barney Knapp *

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 Marvin Goldhar (April 29, 1933 – March 31, 2002) was a Canadian actor, best known for his voice work in animated programs and in made-for-TV movies. Among his voice credits include Cedric Sneer on ''The Raccoons'', Mr. Weatherbee on ''The ...

as Mr. Weinman * Lynne Gorman as Mrs. Bailey *

Patricia Hamilton Patricia Hamilton (born 27 April 1937 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a Canadian actress, perhaps best known for playing Rachel Lynde in the television mini-series '' Anne of Green Gables'', its sequels: '' Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel'' ...

as Flo * Tom Harvey as Walter Simon * Meg Hogarth as Estelle *

Cec Linder Cecil Yekuthial Linder (March 10, 1921 – April 10, 1992) was a Polish-born Canadian film and television actor. He was Jewish and managed to escape Poland before the Holocaust. In the 1950s and 1960s, he worked extensively in the United Kingdom, ...

as Dr. Lorber *

Doris Petrie Doris Petrie (24 July 1918 – 21 August 2000) was a Canadian film and television actress, best known for her roles in the William Fruet films ''Wedding in White'' (1972) and ''Funeral Home'' (1980); and also the television series '' High Hopes'', ...

as Mrs. Weinman * Steve Petrie as Chet * Maida Rogerson as Annie * Michael J. Reynolds as Dr. Roberts * Françoise Vallée 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)

Reception

Critical response

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'' 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. According to ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

'', 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." The Peabody Awards noted that "both Moore and Garner turn in captivating performances and take full advantage of a lean and emotionally powerful script."

Accolades

References

External links

* * {{Norman Lear 1984 films 1984 drama films 1984 television films 1980s American films 1980s English-language films ABC network original films American drama television films Films about diseases Films about marriage Films about physicians Films based on non-fiction books Films directed by Glenn Jordan Films scored by Leonard Rosenman Films set in New York City Films shot in New York City Films shot in Toronto Peabody Award-winning broadcasts Television films based on books