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*Heartsounds*
Heartsounds
Based on	Heartsounds: The Story of a Love and Loss; by Martha Weinman Lear
Written by	Fay Kanin
Directed by	Glenn Jordan
Starring	Mary Tyler Moore; James Garner;
Composer	Leonard Rosenman
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producer	Norman Lear
Producers	Fay Kanin; Fern Field;
Cinematography	Richard Ciupka
Editor	John Wright
Running time	128 minutes
Production company	Embassy Television
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	September 30, 1984

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

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

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
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)

Production

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

Critical response

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

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
1985	42nd Golden Globe Awards	Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film	James Garner	Nominated	^[5]
	45th Peabody Awards		ABC	Won	^[4]
	1st TCA Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials	Heartsounds	Nominated
	37th Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special	Norman Lear Fay Kanin Fern Field	Nominated	^[6]
		Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special	James Garner	Nominated
		Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special	Mary Tyler Moore	Nominated
	1st Artios Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Mini-Series or Movie of the Week Casting	Eve Brandstein	Nominated