Quiz Show is a 1994 American historical film produced and directed by Robert Redford, and written by Paul Attanasio, based on Richard N. Goodwin's memoir Remembering America: A Voice From the Sixties. It stars John Turturro, Rob Morrow and Ralph Fiennes, with Paul Scofield, David Paymer, Hank Azaria and Christopher McDonald appearing in supporting roles.
The film chronicles the Twenty-One quiz show scandals of the 1950s, the rise and fall of popular contestant Charles Van Doren after the fixed loss of Herb Stempel and Congressional investigator Richard Goodwin's subsequent probe. Goodwin co-produced the film. The film received generally positive reviews and was nominated for several awards, including a Best Picture Oscar nomination and several Golden Globe Awards. It had a disappointing box office return.
Plot[]
Queens-born Herbie Stempel (John Turturro) becomes an unlikely hero after winning on America's beloved game show, "Twenty One." When the network decides to bring in a more telegenic contestant, the WASP-ish Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), Stempel takes aim at the show, announcing that the game is rigged. Congressional investigator Dick Goodwin (Rob Morrow) is brought in to examine the claim that winners were given the answers.
Cast[]
- John Turturro as Herb Stempel
- Rob Morrow as Richard N. Goodwin
- Ralph Fiennes as Charles Van Doren
- David Paymer as Dan Enright
- Paul Scofield as Mark Van Doren
- Hank Azaria as Albert Freedman
- Christopher McDonald as Jack Barry
- Johann Carlo as Toby Stempel
- Elizabeth Wilson as Dorothy Van Doren
- Allan Rich as Robert Kintner
- Mira Sorvino as Sandra Goodwin
- George Martin as Chairman Oren Harris
- Paul Guilfoyle as Robert W. Lishman
- Martin Scorsese as Martin Rittenhome
- Griffin Dunne as Geritol Account Executive
- Ben Shenkman as Childress
- Timothy Busfield as Fred
- Jack Gilpin as Jack
- Bruce Altman as Gene
- Neil Ross as Twenty-One Announcer
- Barry Levinson as Dave Garroway
- Jeffrey Nordling as John Van Doren
- Douglas McGrath as James Snodgrass
- Stephen Pearlman as Judge Mitchell Schweitzer
- William Fichtner as NBC Stage Manager
- Illeana Douglas as Helena
- Ethan Hawke & Calista Flockhart as Columbia Students