"Tales of the City" (1993) TV mini-series

Director:

Alastair Reid

Writers (WGA):

Armistead Maupin (novel)
Richard Kramer (teleplay)

Release Date:

10 January 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

Plot:

The stories of several colorful characters living in San Francisco. Based on the book by Armistead Maupin (A Man I Dreamt Up).

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Lawyer | Gay Relationship | Apartment Building | Female Nudity

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Olympia Dukakis	...	Anna Madrigal
Donald Moffat	...	Edgar Halcyon
Chloe Webb	...	Mona Ramsey
Laura Linney	...	Mary Ann Singleton
Marcus D'Amico	...	Michael Tolliver
Bill Campbell	...	Jon Fielden (as William Campbell)
Thomas Gibson	...	Beauchamp Day
Paul Gross	...	Brian Hawkins
Barbara Garrick	...	DeDe Halcyon Day
Nina Foch	...	Frannie Halcyon
Edie Adams	...	Ruby Miller
Robert Downey Sr.	...	Edgar's Doctor
Meagen Fay	...	Binky Gruen
Lou Liberatore	...	Chuck
Country Joe McDonald	...	Joaquin

Also Known As:

Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City
Geschichten aus San Francisco (Germany) [de]
Kertomuksia kaupungista (Finland) [fi]
Les chroniques de San Francisco (France) [fr]

Runtime:

360 min (6 parts)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:18 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

28 Barbary Lane Set, Occidental Studios - 201 N. Occidental Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

American Playhouse

Trivia:

Over 15 years several companies (including Warner Brothers and HBO) bought options to film this story, based on Armistead Maupin's novel. Finally this 6 part miniseries was produced by Britain's Channel 4, San Francisco's local PBS station KQED and PBS' "American Playhouse" (1982).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Beauchamp and Mary Ann pull up in front of Barbary Lane after their weekend away, the crew is reflected in the side of Beauchamp's car.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mary Ann's Mother: Hellooo?
Mary Ann Singleton: Mom, It's me.
Mary Ann's Mother: What's the matter did you miss your plane?
Mary Ann Singleton: No. I didn't
Mary Ann's Mother: You know darling we were just talking about you...
Mary Ann Singleton: Would you call Mr. Lassiter and say I won't be in on Monday?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Seinfeld: The Pledge Drive (#6.3)" (1994)

One of the best things I've seen on TV

I remember watching this on PBS when it first came out, and how absolutely riveting I found it. Never had I watched something and been so wrapped up in it. The characters were brilliantly written and brilliantly portrayed by the excellent cast. This program succeeded in bringing to life a time and place where you really did "have to be there". This program takes you there. Whether you're into countercultures, history, or just plain entertainment, there is no other program that I could more wholeheartedly recommend.