The Dream Merchants

Episode #1.1 (Season 1, Episode 1)

TV Episode | 97 min | Drama

A free ticket to a nickelodeon puts stars in Johnny's eyes and launches a journey that leads to the early days of Hollywood. He inspires the theater owner to leap into producing movies, and falls into the arms of a blonde seductress.

Director

Vincent Sherman

Writers

Richard De Roy | Chester Krumholz | Harold Robbins (novel)

Producer

Hugh Benson

Composer

George Duning

Cinematographer

Gerald Perry Finnerman

Editors

Donald Douglas | Richard Van Enger Jr. (as Dick Van Enger Jr.)

Casting Directors

Jerold Franks | Al Onorato

See all filmmakers & crew (47)

Edit Released

Updated May 12, 1980

Release date

May 12, 1980 (United States)

Awards

Series awards

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Contacts

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Cast	+ Add Cast
40 cast members

Name	Known for
Mark Harmon Johnny Edge Johnny Edge See fewer	NCIS (2003)
Vincent Gardenia Peter Kessler Peter Kessler See fewer	Moonstruck (1987)
Morgan Fairchild Dulcie Warren Dulcie Warren See fewer	Friends (1994)
Brianne Leary Doris Kessler Doris Kessler See fewer	Black Sheep Squadron (1976)
Robert Picardo Mark Kessler Mark Kessler See fewer	Star Trek: Voyager (1995)
Eve Arden Coralee Coralee See fewer	Our Miss Brooks (1952)
Kaye Ballard Esther Kessler Esther Kessler See fewer	Baby Geniuses (1999)
Morgan Brittany Astrid James Astrid James See fewer	The Scarlett O'Hara War (1980)
Red Buttons Bruce Benson Bruce Benson See fewer	Pete's Dragon (1977)
Robert Culp Henry Farnum Henry Farnum See fewer	I Spy (1965)
Howard Duff Charles Slade Charles Slade See fewer	The Naked City (1948)
José Ferrer George Pappas George Pappas See fewer	The Caine Mutiny (1954)
Robert Goulet Craig Warren Craig Warren See fewer	The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)
David Groh Rocco Salvatore Rocco Salvatore See fewer	Two-Minute Warning (1976)
Carolyn Jones Vera Vera See fewer	The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Fernando Lamas Conrad Stillman Conrad Stillman See fewer	The Cheap Detective (1978)
Ray Milland Lawrence Radford Lawrence Radford See fewer	The Lost Weekend (1945)
Jan Murray Murray Tucker Murray Tucker See fewer	History of the World: Part I (1981)
Chris Robinson Zack Larsen Zack Larsen See fewer	Catch the Black Sunshine (1974)
Don 'Red' Barry Capt. Casey Capt. Casey See fewer	Jesse James' Women (1954)
Lola Mason Harriet Farnum Harriet Farnum See fewer	Farewell, My Lovely (1975)
George Petrie Fraser Fraser See fewer	Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Seth Wagerman Bobby Edge Bobby Edge See fewer	Crimes of Passion (1984)
Lauren White Thelma Benson Thelma Benson See fewer	Salvage 1 (1979)
Ray Young Hansen Hansen See fewer	Police Story (1973)
Chao Li Chi Chinese Man Chinese Man See fewer	Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Jerry Daniels Waiter Waiter See fewer	Star Trek (1966)
Paul 'Mousie' Garner Baggy Pants Baggy Pants See fewer	The Onion Movie (2008)
Jeff Greenberg Christie Set Director Christie Set Director See fewer	The First Nudie Musical (1976)
Laura Jerome Nurse Nurse See fewer	Police Woman (1974)
Michael Kostroff Brooklyn A.D. Brooklyn A.D. See fewer	The Wire (2002)
Lawrence Levine Actor (as Larry Levine) Actor (as Larry Levine) See fewer	The Fashion Police (2012)
Marius Mazmanian French Film Director French Film Director See fewer	The Vanishing (1993)
Jade McCall Man in Bar Man in Bar See fewer	Salvage 1 (1979)
Frances E. Nealy Millie (as Frances Nealy) Millie (as Frances Nealy) See fewer	Ghostbusters (1984)
Michel Pitton Raoul Raoul See fewer	Apocalypse Now (1979)
Dorit Stevens Helene Helene See fewer	Magnum, P.I. (1980)
Matthew Tobin Abortionist Abortionist See fewer	The Doctors (1963)
Fredd Wayne Mr. Humber Mr. Humber See fewer	Man on the Moon (1999)
Ouida White Miss McVey Miss McVey See fewer	Pawn Shop Chronicles (2013)