Heart Beat
“They shocked us. They outraged us. They didn't do anything wrong. They just did it first.”
Synopsis
An exploration of the relationship between Beat Generation writers Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, and Cassady's wife, Carolyn.
Top Cast
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Nick Nolte
Neal Cassady
Sissy Spacek
Carolyn Cassady
John Heard
Jack Kerouac
Ray Sharkey
Ira (based on Allen Ginsberg)
Ann Dusenberry
Stevie
Margaret Fairchild
Mrs. Kerouac
Tony Bill
Dick
Mary Margaret Amato
Waitress
Kent Williams
Ogden
Susan Niven
Ogden's Secretary
Marcia Nasatir
First Receptionist
Mickey Kelly
Second Receptionist
Luis Contreras
Mexican Junkie
Sharon Lee
Blonde in Car
Stephen Davies
Bob Bendix
Jenny O'Hara
Betty Bendix
Don Brodie
Dispatcher
John Larroquette
TV Talk Show Host
Release History & Theatrical Window
April 25, 1980
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
Undisclosed
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$954K
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- John Byrum
- Screenplay & Story
- John Byrum
- Original Score
- Jack Nitzsche
- Original Title
- Heart Beat
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 50m
- Worldwide Gross
- $954K
- Production Studios
- Orion Pictures, Further Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
John Byrum
John Byrum
Jack Nitzsche
László Kovács, Gary B. Kibbe
Eric Jenkins
Michael Shamberg, Alan Greisman, David Axlerod, William Tepper, Edward R. Pressman
Department Leadership Roster
John Byrum
Director
John Byrum
Writer
Jack Fisk
Production Design
Eric Jenkins
Editor
Michael Shamberg
Producer
Patricia Norris
Costume Design
Alan Greisman
Producer
László Kovács
Director of Photography
David Axlerod
Producer
Edward R. Pressman
Producer
Jack Nitzsche
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Heart Beat.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Heart Beat.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Beat
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Heart Beat about?
An exploration of the relationship between Beat Generation writers Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, and Cassady's wife, Carolyn.
Who directed Heart Beat?
Heart Beat was directed by John Byrum.
Who stars in Heart Beat?
The principal cast of Heart Beat includes Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek, John Heard, Ray Sharkey, Ann Dusenberry.
When was Heart Beat released and how long is it?
Heart Beat was released in 1980 with a total runtime of 1h 50m.
How much did Heart Beat make at the box office?
Heart Beat grossed $954K in worldwide ticket sales.
Who composed the musical score for Heart Beat?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Heart Beat was composed by Jack Nitzsche.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Heart Beat?
Heart Beat holds official age classifications: US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).