Jack Klugman Movies
Commenting on his notorious on-set irascibility in 1977, Jack Klugman replied that he was merely "taking Peter Falk lessons from Robert Blake," invoking the names of two other allegedly hard-to-please TV stars. Klugman grew up in Philadelphia, and after taking in a 1939 performance by New York's Group Theatre, Klugman decided that an actor's life was right up his alley. He majored in drama at Carnegie Tech and studied acting at the American Theatre Wing before making his (non-salaried) 1949 stage-debut at the Equity Library Theater. While sharing a New York flat with fellow hopeful Charles Bronson, Klugman took several "grub" jobs to survive, at one point selling his blood for $85 a pint. During television's so-called Golden Age, Klugman appeared in as many as 400 TV shows. He made his film debut in 1956, and three years later co-starred with Ethel Merman in the original Broadway production of Gypsy.In 1964, Klugman won the first of his Emmy awards for his performance in "Blacklist," an episode of the TV series The Defenders; that same year, he starred in his first sitcom, the 13-week wonder Harris Against the World. Far more successful was his next TV series, The Odd Couple, which ran from 1970 through 1974; Klugman won two Emmies for his portrayal of incorrigible slob Oscar Madison (he'd previously essayed the role when he replaced Walter Matthau in the original Broadway production of the Neil Simon play). It was during Odd Couple's run that the network "suits" got their first real taste of Klugman's savage indignation, when he and co-star Tony Randall threatened to boycott the show unless the idiotic laughtrack was removed (Klugman and Randall won that round; from 1971 onward, Odd Couple was filmed before a live audience). It was but a foretaste of things to come during Klugman's six-year (1977-83) reign as star of Quincy, M.E.. Popular though Klugman was in the role of the crusading, speechifying LA County Coroner's Office medical examiner R. Quincy, he hardly endeared himself to the producers when he vented his anger against their creative decisions in the pages of TV Guide. Nor was he warmly regarded by the Writer's Guild when he complained about the paucity of high-quality scripts (he wrote several Quincy episodes himself, with mixed results).
After Quincy's cancellation, Klugman starred in the Broadway play I'm Not Rappaport and co-starred with John Stamos in the 1986 sitcom You Again?. The future of Klugman's career -- and his future, period -- was sorely threatened when he underwent throat surgery in 1989. He'd been diagnosed with cancer of the larynx as early as 1974, but at that time was able to continue working after a small growth was removed. For several years after the 1989 operation, however, Klugman was unable to speak at all. Jack Klugman has since appeared in an Odd Couple reunion special, reciting his lines with some difficulty in a hoarse whisper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1952
A soldier decides to volunteer his own body to help find a cure for yellow fever in this live TV production of Sidney Howard's Yellowjack. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1956
In this suspenseful detective yarn, an insurance investigator finds himself unbearably bored by his routine life and decides to become a criminal. Following the robbery he engineers, he begins to investigate the theft himself. Unfortunately, he is trailed by a determined railroad cop, a dear friend who remains professional despite the mixed emotions he feels. The film is the feature debut of TV actor Jack Klugman. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Stevens, King Calder, (more)
- 1957
Mousy clerk Ronald Grimes (E.G. Marshall) begins receiving written predictions from a mail-order prophet named Christiani. Impulsively acting upon these predictions, Grimes discovers to his amazement that they all become true, and he ends up accumulating a great deal of wealth. Alas, the price that Grimes must pay for this streak of luck proves to be a daunting one indeed. This episode marks a reunion of sorts for E.G. Marshall and Jack Klugman, both of whom had previously co-starred in the 1957 film Twelve Angry Men. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A Puerto Rican youth is on trial for murder, accused of knifing his father to death. The twelve jurors retire to the jury room, having been admonished that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Eleven of the jurors vote for conviction, each for reasons of his own. The sole holdout is Juror #8, played by Henry Fonda. As Fonda persuades the weary jurors to re-examine the evidence, we learn the backstory of each man. Juror #3 (Lee J. Cobb), a bullying self-made man, has estranged himself from his own son. Juror #7 (Jack Warden) has an ingrained mistrust of foreigners; so, to a lesser extent, does Juror #6 (Edward Binns). Jurors #10 (Ed Begley) and #11 (George Voskovec), so certain of the infallibility of the Law, assume that if the boy was arrested, he must be guilty. Juror #4 (E.G. Marshall) is an advocate of dispassionate deductive reasoning. Juror #5 (Jack Klugman), like the defendant a product of "the streets," hopes that his guilty vote will distance himself from his past. Juror #12 (Robert Webber), an advertising man, doesn't understand anything that he can't package and market. And Jurors #1 (Martin Balsam), #2 (John Fiedler) and #9 (Joseph Sweeney), anxious not to make waves, "go with the flow." The excruciatingly hot day drags into an even hotter night; still, Fonda chips away at the guilty verdict, insisting that his fellow jurors bear in mind those words "reasonable doubt." A pet project of Henry Fonda's, Twelve Angry Men was his only foray into film production; the actor's partner in this venture was Reginald Rose, who wrote the 1954 television play on which the film was based. Carried over from the TV version was director Sidney Lumet, here making his feature-film debut. A flop when it first came out (surprisingly, since it cost almost nothing to make), Twelve Angry Men holds up beautifully when seen today. It was remade for television in 1997 by director William Friedkin with Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, (more)
- 1958
- NR
On a perfectly ordinary day, the management of an airline receives a note demanding a half-million dollars from someone who claims to have put a bomb aboard one of their planes. When the device, a tiny but dead electronically-triggered explosive, is found, they're told that there's another -- the FBI and the news media are all present as it is retrieved. One of those who sees the drama unfold on the news is Paul Molnar (James Mason), an electronics expert, who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a nightmare along with the rest of his family-- he and his wife (Inger Stevens) and their young daughter are kidnapped by Paul Hoplin (Rod Steiger), a former army buddy of Paul's, who duped him into designing the devices, and now wants Molnar's wife to act a courier for the money. With her husband and daughter in the hands of two of the gang (Angie Dickinson, Jack Klugman), she is made to pick up the money and make her way across New York while a clock is ticking on their lives -- and she must survive being left guarded by Steve (Neville Brand), an ex-con, murderer, and sexual predator, and the least-tightly-wrapped of all Hoplin's gang. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Mason, Rod Steiger, (more)
- 1960
Written by Rod Serling, this episode represented the joint Twilight Zone debut of actor Jack Klugman (who went on to star in three additional episodes) and director Don Medford. Klugman stars as trumpet player Joey Crown, who, regarding his life as empty and futile, tries to kill himself. Instead, he is briefly hurtled into Limbo, where he learns a number of valuable lessons from a mysterious musician named Gabe (played by Twilight Zone "regular" John Anderson). Originally telecast May 20, 1960, "A Passage for Trumpet" was the first of four Twilight Zone episodes introduced by the "big-eye" opening logo. Also: watch for a brief "inside joke" when Joey Crown passes by a construction company named for series producer Buck Houghton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Klugman, John Anderson, (more)
- 1961
Jack Klugman guest stars as Morton Halas, an unethical but supremely successful criminal lawyer whose services are highly coveted by the Underworld. Now Halas has taken Big Mike Probitch (George Tobias) on as a client--and Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) determined to put Probitch away, no matter how many legal loopholes Halas is able to pull out of thin air. As it turns out, rival gangster Larry Coombs (Martin Landau) succeeds where Ness has failed, filling Probich full of lead while his flunkey Whitey Metz (Gavin McLeod) stabs Big Mike in the back. Almost immediately, Coombs hires Halas to defend him in court--while Ness puts the screws on the sniveling Whitey, hoping to sweat out a confession that will send both Coombs and his "mouthpiece" to the Big House. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In his second Twilight Zone appearance, Jack Klugman stars as pool hustler Jesse Cardiff, who would like nothing better than to challenge legendary pool champion Fats Brown. Only trouble is, Fats has been dead for a year. But Jesse is persistent, and before long the ghost of Fats (Jonathan Winters) puts in an appearance and challenges Jesse to a winner-take-all game of pool -- with Jesse's life as the "stakes." George Clayton Johnson's teleplay underwent several changes before filming, including a complete rewrite of the ending, which in its original state was fascinating, if not entirely satisfying. "A Game of Pool" first aired October 13, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Klugman, Jonathan Winters, (more)
In this addiction melodrama, Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon), a promising adman, meet his future wife Kirsten (Lee Remick) at a party. Once married, the pressures of his business lead Joe to seek solace in liquor. Kirsten joins him in his nocturnal drinking sessions, and before long both are confirmed alcoholics. After several frightening episodes, Joe is able to shake the habit thanks to AA, but Kirsten finds it impossible to get through the day without liquor. The two split up, although Joe clings to the hope that someday he and Kirsten will be reunited, if for no reason other than the sake of their young daughter. J.P. Miller adapted the screenplay from his own 1958 Playhouse 90 television script. Though nominated in several categories, Days of Wine and Roses won only the Best Song Oscar for Henry Mancini's title tune. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick, (more)
- 1963
This autobiographical story traces the career of playwright Moss Hart. Moss (George Hamilton) struggles as a dramatic writer until he concentrates his efforts on writing comedy. He suffers through a series of professional and romantic failures before a meeting with George S. Kaufman (Jason Robards Jr.) changes his fortunes. Joe (Jack Klugman) is the faithful friend who stands by Hart in the lean times. Ruth Ford, Eli Wallach and George Segal also appear in this feature produced, directed and written by Dore Schary. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Hamilton, Jason Robards, Jr., (more)
- 1963
Landing on a distant planet, astronauts Paul Ross (Jack Klugman), Ted Mason (Ross Martin) and Mike Carter (Frederick Beir) believe that they're the first earthlings to arrive on this unchartered world. At least, they assume that this is true until they come upon the wreckage of an American spaceship. Investigating, they find the bodies of three space travellers. This is disconcerting enough, but what really makes the astronauts' hair stand on end is the fact that the three dead men look exactly like Ross, Mason and Carter. Adapted by Richard Matheson from his own short story, "Death Ship" made its Twilight Zone premiere on February 7, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Klugman, Ross Martin, (more)
- 1963
In his final Untouchables guest appearance, Jack Klugman is cast as Sollie Girsh, a distributor of illegal liquor who has figured out a clever scheme to keep operating right under the noses of the Feds. Using remarkable methods of persuasion, the deceptively mild-mannered Girsh has induced over 500 otherwise honest merchants and storekeepers to retail his whiskey, convincing every one of them that he is only looking out for their welfare. It takes some doing, but Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) finally persuades grocer Charley Tarasovich (George Voskovec), whose son has been killed in a drunk-driving accident, to work undercover in a sting operation to destroy Girsh's criminal network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
After a brief flirtation with the 60-minute form, Twilight Zone wisely returned to its original half-hour format with the first episode of the series' fifth season, "In Praise of Pip." Upon learning that his beloved son Pip is dying in a field hospital in South Vietnam, two-bit bookie Max Philips (Jack Klugman) suddenly experiences an epiphany -- which earns him a bullet in the gut from a disgruntled gangster. The wounded Max stumbles into a deserted amusement park, where he is met by the younger version of his boy Pip. Expressing his undying love for his son, Max begs the Powers Above to spare the grown-up Pip's life, as the younger version begins fading into the void. Billy Mumy and Bobby Diamond share the role of the eponymous Pip. Written by Rod Serling, "In Praise of Pip" originally aired September 27, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Klugman, Bill Mumy, (more)
- 1963
Written by mystery master Rod Serling, The Yellow Canary stars Pat Boone as insufferable singing idol Andy Paxton. Barbara Eden plays his wife Lissa, who is fed up with her husband's egotistical attitude and is ready to leave him. When their baby son is kidnapped, Andy Paxton refuses to enlist the help of the police. He still does not cooperate even after three people are murdered in crimes apparently related to the kidnapping. Finally, acting on his own, he agrees to pay $200,000 in ransom, but the kidnapper never shows up at an arranged meeting. In desperation, the singer finally gets more involved in tracking down the kidnapper. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat Boone, Barbara Eden, (more)
This is a standard yet uneven drama featuring Judy Garland as Jenny Bowman, a powerful singer who obviously has a passion for the stage and performing. At the same time, she once had a passion for a certain British doctor, David Donne (Dirk Bogarde), that resulted in the birth of a baby boy. Unwilling to be a mom at this point in her career, Jenny gives the boy over to David, and he raises him as though he were an adopted son. David marries, and he and Jenny go their separate ways until many years have passed and, finding herself in London again, Jenny decides to visit her son. David is now a widower, and romantic sparks fly once he and Jenny get together -- raising the question of whether her passion for the stage is still stronger than her passion for David. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judy Garland, Dirk Bogarde, (more)
- 1963
While working on a construction crew under the alias "Paul Beaumont", Kimble (David Janssen) befriends Jamie (Buck Taylor), a mentally challenged youth who has been hired for a menial job by crew boss Buck Harmon (Jack Klugman). Defending Jamie against the cruel taunts of his fellow workers, Kimble is also the only person to believe in the boy's innocence when he is accused of sexually assaulting Harmon's wife Ruth (Elizabeth Allen). Unfortunately, the beleaguered Harmon is pressured into hunting the runaway Jamie down like a dog--and possibly allowing the other workers to kill the boy when they catch up with him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
In his second Fugitive guest appearance, Jack Klugman is cast as Gus Hendrick, owner of a trucking firm where Kimble (David Janssen)--alias "Bill Douglas"--is currently employed. Though heavily in debt, Gus continues to support his late partner's family, feeling guilty for the man's death. Unable to further provide funds for his partner's lazy, avaricious widow Lucia (Geraldine Brooks), Gus is receptive to a fraud scheme concocted by his false friend Ernie (Michael Constantine)--and as usual, Kimble is caught in the middle of all the intrigue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Investigating the destruction of a group photo of several bank employees, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) finds that the bank in question has a $100,000 shortage. The case narrows down to fugitive embezzler Charles Gates, played by guest star Jack Klugman (whose then-wife Brett Somers also appears as Mrs. Gates). Sensitive to the curious parallels between Gates' past life and his own, Erskine devises a scheme to play upon the fugitive's intense devotion to his family and thus bring him out in the open. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this crime drama, an American fugitive in France is pursued by two thugs for two different reasons. One of the pursuers has been engaged by a large, corrupt construction company that wants the fugitive killed to prevent him from giving damaging testimony. The other stalker has more personal reasons for killing him. When the construction company is acquitted, the assassin is told to protect the fugitive from the other man. A three-way gun battle ensues and all of the men are fatally shot. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Silva, Jack Klugman, (more)
- 1966
Originally telecast November 26, 1966, Fame is the Name of the Game was the first official entry in NBC-TV "Project 120" series of made-for-TV movies (after two false starts in 1964). Tony Franciosa plays a magazine writer investigating the suicide of a beautiful girl. He uses the girl's address book as a key to piecing together the mystery of her self-destruction--and in so doing discovers that she'd actually been murdered. Advertised as an "original" for television, Fame is the Name of the Game was actually a remake of the 1949 Alan Ladd melodrama Chicago Deadline, right down to the identity of the mystery killer. Jill St. John and Jack Klugman co-star, with Jack Weston, Robert Duvall, Nanette Fabray and Jay C. Flippen popping up in supporting roles. This film served as the pilot for the 1968-71 TV series Name of the Game, with cast members Tony Franciosa and Susan St. James retained for the series proper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
