SYNOPSIS
Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.
- Jack NicholsonFrancis Phelan
- Meryl StreepHelen
- Carroll BakerAnnie Phelan
- Michael O'KeefeBilly
- Diane VenoraPeg
- Fred GwynneOscar Reo
- Margaret WhittonKatrina
- Tom WaitsRudy
- Jake DengelPee Wee
- Nathan LaneHarold Allen
- James GammonReverend Chester
- Will ZahrnRowdy Dick
- Laura EstermanNora
- Joe GrifasiJack
- Hy AnzellRosskam
- Bethel LeslieLibrarian
- Richard HamiltonDonovan
- Black-Eyed SusanClara
- Louise PhillipsFlower Girl
- Marjorie SlocumElderly Woman
- Lena SpencerSlatternly Woman
- Lola PashalinskiFat Woman with Turkey
- Paul A. DiCocco Jr.Bus Driver
- Priscilla SmithSandra
- James DukasFinny