The nine-hour serialization of Taylor Caldwell's novel about an Irish immigrant and the establishment of his family name through the accumulation of wealth and power during the years from 1857 to 1912, along with his goal of having his son elected the first Catholic President of the United States, gained a huge television following because of its thinly disguised similarities to the Kennedy family saga. Richard Jordan and Perry King, as father and son (although they are basically the same age), became stars of sorts because of their performances. Patty Duke Astin won another of her assorted Emmy Awards for her work as Jordan's breakdown-prone wife, and cinematographer Ric Waite received one for photographing Part 1 (of six). The production also was nominated as Outstanding Series of 1976-77, as were actors Richard Jordan and Charles Durning, composer Elmer Bernstein, art director Joseph R. Jennings and set designer Jerry Adams (the latter two for Part 2). |
