Tales of the City: Episode 1.1

Tales of the City: Episode 1.1
Channel Four
28 September 1993
Historical Drama, Dramedy
DVD
C+

Regular cast:

• Edie Adams as Ruby Miller
• David Brisbin as Lemon Candles
• William Campbell as Jon Fielding
• Lou Cutell as Herb Siegel
• Marcus D'Amico as Michael Tolliver
• Olympia Dukakis as Anna Madrigal
• Meagen Fay as Binky Gruen
• Nina Foch as Frannie Halcyon
• Barbara Garrick as DeDe Halcyon Day
• Thomas Gibson as Beauchamp Day
• Paul Gross (who we've seen on Due South and Slings and Arrows) as Brian Hawkins
• Lou Liberatore as Chuck
• Laura Linney as Mary Ann Singleton
• Carolyn Lowery as Hillary
• Country Joe McDonald as Joaquin (here singing his own "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag")
• Donald Moffat as Edgar Halcyon
• Philip Moon as Lionel Wong
• Parker Posey as Connie Bradshaw
• Amy Ryder as Frieda
• Kevin Sessums as Peter Cipriani
• McLean Stevenson as Booter Manigault
• Hank Stratton as Robert
• Syd Straw as Laurel
• Chloe Webb as Mona Ramsey

Also, the following would return once in nameless roles: Vicky Preston Brown as Opera Singer, Steve Cassidy as Grocery Clerk/ Bar Patron, Darin Heames as Skate Guy, Michael McFall as Michael's Friend, and Tom Alan Robbins as Supermarket Creep.  And Robert Downey, Sr., plays Edgar's Doctor.  Furthermore, I'm tagging Louise Lasser because there are two Marry Hartman clips.

Richard Kramer wrote all six episodes of this adaptation of the Armistead Maupin novel, which I read about twenty years ago, along with a couple of the sequels.  And Alastair Reid directed all the episodes.  To be honest, I was disappointed.  Yes, this is better than most of the series in this project, but I was expecting something better, especially with that cast.  I didn't really like any of the characters besides Mary Ann, and I didn't think the acting was that good.  But the show is interesting, especially the period details, and I'll certainly watch at least one more episode