The Purple Rose of Cairo

She's finally met the man of her dreams. He's not real but you can't have everything.

Cecilia is a waitress in New Jersey, living a dreary life during the Great Depression. Her only escape from her mundane reality is the movie theatre. After losing her job, Cecilia goes to see 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' in hopes of raising her spirits, where she watches dashing archaeologist Tom Baxter time and again.

Mia Farrow

(Cecilia)

Jeff Daniels

(Tom Baxter / Gil Shepherd)

Danny Aiello

(Monk)

Irving Metzman

(Theater Manager)

Stephanie Farrow

(Cecilia's Sister)

Edward Herrmann

(Henry)

John Wood

(Jason)

Deborah Rush

(Rita)

Van Johnson

(Larry)

Zoe Caldwell

(The Countess)

Milo O’Shea

(Father Donnelly)

Dianne Wiest

(Emma)

Glenne Headly

(Hooker)

Paul Herman

(Penny Pitcher)

Rick Petrucelli

(Penny Pitcher)

Peter Castellotti

(Penny Pitcher)

John Rothman

(Mr. Hirsch's Lawyer)

David Kieserman

(Diner Boss)

Elaine Grollman

(Diner Patron)

Victoria Zussin

(Diner Patron)

Mark Hammond

(Diner Patron)

Wade Barnes

(Diner Patron)

Joseph G. Graham

(Diner Patron)

Don Quigley

(Diner Patron)

Maurice Brenner

(Diner Patron)

Milton Seaman

(Ticket Buyer)

Mimi Weddell

(Ticket Buyer)

Tom Degidon

(Ticket Taker)

Mary Hedahl

(Popcorn Seller)

Eugene J. Anthony

(Arturo)

Ebb Miller

(Bandleader)

Karen Akers

(Kitty Haynes)

Annie-Joe Edwards

(Delilah)

Peter McRobbie

(The Communist)

Camille Saviola

(Olga)

Juliana Donald

(Usherette)

Margaret Thompson

(Movie Audience)

George Hamlin

(Movie Audience)

Helen Hanft

(Movie Audience)

Leo Postrel

(Movie Audience)

Helen Miller

(Movie Audience)

George Martin

(Movie Audience)

Crystal Field

(Movie Audience)

Ken Chapin

(Reporter)

Robert Trebor

(Reporter)

Benjamin Rayson

(Movie Goer)

Jean Shevlin

(Movie Goer)

Albert S. Bennett

(Movie Goer)

Martha Sherrill

(Movie Goer)

Gretchen MacLane

(Movie Goer)

Edwin Bordo

(Movie Goer)

Andrew Murphy

(Policeman #1)

Tom Kubiak

(Policeman #2)

Alexander Cohen

(Raoul Hirsh)

Raymond Serra

(Hollywood Executive)

George J. Manos

(Press Agent)

David Tice

(Waiter)

James Lynch

(Maitre D')

Sydney A. Blake

(Variety Reporter)

Michael Tucker

(Gil's Agent)

Peter Von Berg

(Drugstore Customer)

David Weber

(Photo Double)

Willie Tjan

(Hooker)

Lela Ivey

(Hooker)

Drinda Lalumia

(Hooker)

Loretta Tupper

(Music Store Owner)

Marty Appel

(Restaurant Patron (uncredited))

Fred Astaire

(Jerry Travers (archive footage) (uncredited))

George Maniere

(Trumpet Player at the Copa (uncredited))

James Prendergast

(Waiter (uncredited))

Ginger Rogers

(Dale Tremont (archive footage) (uncredited))