More Than Friends (1978) – Nostalgia Central

Rob Reiner is Alan Corkus, and his real-life wife, Penny Marshall, is Matty Pearlman in this made-for-television romantic comedy movie from ABC.

They are two likeable, lower-middle-class teenagers from the Bronx. But there the similarity ends: he’s naive, unpretentious and self-effacing; she’s ambitious, bold and demanding.

Despite their differences, Alan and Maddy’s relationship spans 13 years, beginning as childhood friends at a 1958 prom night necking party and continuing through 1971 – a bittersweet chronicle of shared dreams, crushed hopes, surprise reunions, and tearful separations.

She goes to Hollywood for a career in entertainment, but finds herself longing for a simpler life with Corkus, who has become a would-be novelist, sports enthusiast and English teacher.

Kay Medford guests as Maddy’s overbearing mother, Gertrie.

The film was co-written by Reiner (with Phil Mishki) and was based on Reiner and Marshall’s real-life courtship.

Alan Corkus
Rob Reiner
Matty Pearlman
Penny Marshall
William Kane
Phillip R. Allen
Josh Harrington
Dabney Coleman
Beverly
Fawne Harriman
Gertie
Kay Medford
Avery Salminella
Howard Hesseman
Terry Christopher
Michael McKean
Frances Harrington
Claudette Nevins
Ralph
Joe Pantoliano
Director
Carl Gottlieb
Assistant Director
Richard Crystal
Wind
Cindy Fisher
Sky
Pamela Hayden
Lily Pad Pal
Kip King
Hippie-in-Training
Linda Gillen
Dominic
Paul Micale
Slanski
Frank Martone
Cocciatti
Alexander Petale
Anthony
Michael Brown
Army Archerd
Himself

Director
Jim Burrows

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