Max Dugan ( Jason Robards ) drops in on her as various trials and tribulations have befallen her .
Max Dugan ( Jason Robards ) is the long - lost father of Nora McPhee ( Marsha Mason ) .
Max Dugan ( Jason Robards ) , the long - lost father of Nora McPhee ( Marsha Mason ) , drops in on her as various trials and tribulations have befallen her .