Masterpiece Theatre's American Collection

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Movie Info

Martha Coolidge (Real Genius, Out to Sea) directed this light PBS drama about a rich eccentric who is overly generous with his fortune. Ally McBeal's Peter MacNicol stars as Daniel Ponder, the wealthy man in question, who finds himself charged with murder after his young bride is found dead. Produced in 2001, The Ponder Heart co-stars JoBeth Williams, Angela Bettis, Boyce Holleman, and Star Trek: The Next Generation's Brent Spiner.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Martha Coolidge
Written By:

Gail Gilchrist, Gail Gilchriest
On Disc/Streaming:

Oct 16, 2001
Runtime:

95 minutes

Cast

Peter MacNicol
as Daniel Ponder

JoBeth Williams
as Edna Erle Ponder

Angela Bettis
as Bonnie Dee Peacock

Boyce Holleman
as Sam Ponder

Jenifer Lewis
as Narcissa Wingfield

Victor Slezak
as Ovid Springer

Brent Spiner
as Dorris Gladney

Lenny Von Dohlen
as DeYancey Clanahan

Joanne Baron
as Teacake Magee

Tracey Needham
as Elsie Fleming

B.J. Hopper
as Judge Waite

Shari Schneider
as Eloise

Nathaniel Lee Jr.
as Talmadge

James Michael Bailey
as Mr. Peacock

Judy Garwood
as Mrs. Peacock

John Wilmot
as Mr. Bodkin

Sam Sherrill
as Judge Tip Clanahan

Brenda Varner Judin
as Leota

Bernard "Bunchy" Johnson
as Big John

Jaymee Vowell
as Johnnie Ree Peacock

Emily Noble
as Nurse

Joseph Bonelli
as Preston

Philip Tracy
as Jury Foreman

Whitney Hennigan
as Norma Cheeter

Andrew Libby
as Bailiff

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Critic Reviews for Masterpiece Theatre's American Collection

All Critics (1) | Top Critics (1)

Director Martha Coolidge (Rambling Rose) puts these characters through their paces -- more, in Mississippi, like an amble -- with a knowingness almost as all-wise as Miss Welty's own, although lacking the novelist's wickedness.

Feb 2, 2018 | Full Review…

John Leonard
New York Magazine/Vulture
Top Critic