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
- 1972
In this comedy, a burned out bookkeeper thinks about selling his soul to Satan. His thoughts invoke the presence of a bungling messenger from the devil himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1971
This upbeat children's adventure tells the true story of gentle Barney Marcovitz who firmly believes that the world's hope is in the hands of children. Barney manages a pony farm/petting zoo in Greenwich Village so that city kids can sample country life. The trouble begins when the real estate developers who own his property want to put up a housing complex. The irate neighbors rally on behalf of Barney's zoo, but the developers won't listen. The defeated zoo keeper then gives his animals to the local kids. Mayhem ensues, especially with two children who try to keep their new pony a secret from their parents. In the end, all is saved when Barney moves his menagerie to the Bronx. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
During its first season, The Odd Couple had been filmed movie-style with a single camera, and a prerecorded laughtrack was used. At the insistence of stars Tony Randall (Felix Unger) and Jack Klugman (Oscar Madison), the second season--and all seasons thereafter--were filmed before a live studio audience, utilizing three cameras in order to effectively capture the "feel" of a live stage presentation. This decision did wonders for The Odd Couple's overall popularity and appeal. . .to say nothing of its ratings. As before, the series focuses on the misadventures of two ill-matched roommates, slovenly sportscaster Oscar and neat-freak photographer Felix, who remain best friends despite their quarrels and personality conflicts. Of Oscar's perennial card-playing buddies Murray (Al Molinaro), Speed (Garry Walberg), Vinnie (Larry Gelman) and Roy (Ryan McDonald), only Murray will continue to show up on a regular basis, with the rest reduced to recurring characters and Roy disappearing entirely. Also gone are Felix and Oscar's kooky neighbors the Pigeon sisters, though Joan Hotchkis continues to show up from time to time as Oscar's girlfriend Dr. Nancy Cunningham. Making their first appearances this season are the two protagonists' much-discussed but hitherto unseen ex-wives; Janis Hansen as Gloria Unger, and Bret Somer (the then-wife of Jack Klugman) as Blanche Madison. Likewise, Pamelyn Ferdin and Willie Aames are seen respectively as Felix's daughter Edna and son Leonard; and in the episode "The Odd Couples", Jane Dulo is cast as Oscar's mother. Finally, Penny Marshall, sister of series producer Gary Marshall and later a prominent TV star and film director in her own right, makes her debut appearance as Oscar's ditzy secretary Myrna Turner in "You Saved My Life". For the first time, The Odd Couple serves up a couple of guest stars as "themselves"; opera singer Richard Fredericks in "Does Your Mother Know You're Out, Rigoletto?" and comedian David Steinberg in "The Odd Couple Meet Their Host". And upholding a tradition established in Season One, Season Two features a brace of flahback episodes, the first, "Speak for Yourself" recounting the initial meeting of Felix and Gloria, and the second, "A Night to Disremember" puts a "Rashomon" slant on the events leading to the divorce of Oscar and Blanche. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
"Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?" This is question posed in the first episode of the first season of The Odd Couple--and though the answer is an emphatic "No!", mismatched roommates Felix Unger (Tony Randall) and Oscar Madison (Jack Klugman) will manage to remain friends, and under the same roof, for the next five years. Unlike the 1965 play and 1968 movie version, which began as Felix moved in with Oscar, the TV version finds the two divorced buddies already dwelling in the same New York apartment--which during Season One is a fairly exact replica of the set used in the the movie. In fact, the fifth episode, "The Breakup", is a virtual replay of the play and movie's third act--and one of the few times that the TV show and its antecedents bore any sort of a close resemblance beyond the basic characters, premise and theme music. Appearing during Season One only are Monica Evans and Carole Shelley, reprising their stage and screen roles as Felix and Oscar's toothsome neighbors, Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon; and Ryan McDonald as Oscar's accountant and poker-playing buddy Roy. Introduced this season in the episode "Lovers Don't Make Housecalls" is Joan Hotchkis as Oscar's girlfriend Dr. Nancy Cunningham, who will continue making sporadic appearances until the middle of Season Two. Other supporting players of note include a young Albert Brooks, a post-Addams Family John Astin, and child actor Clint Howard (Ron's brother). And in "Bunny is Missing Down by the Lake", Pamelyn Ferdin, later cast as Felix's daughter Edna, is seen in a different role. Finally, we are treated to the series' first flashback episode, "The Jury Story", which explains how compulsive slob Oscar and nitpicky neat-freak Felix became best friends in the first place. Throughout its first season, The Odd Couple was lensed in "movie" fashion, with a single camera on a Hollywood sound stage, and with a recorded laughtrack added in post-production. All this would change--for the better--when the series entered its second season in the fall of 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In this drama, a radical student and a college dean have a heated argument. The trouble really begins when afterward, the dean is found dead. The story was taken from the Name of the Game television series. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Blind Man's Bluff originally aired as an episode of the TV series Name of the Game. Ex-district attorney Jack Klugman gives Crime magazine reporter Tony Franciosa a phony story. It's all part of a complex plan for revenge. Klugman was blinded several years earlier, and his wife's (Coleen Gray) face was mutilated; now the former D.A. wants to trap the man responsible for his sightlessness. Broderick Crawford co-stars as the guilty party in this 90-minute suspense tale, first telecast on October 3, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
With the "inside" help of misguided maid Maria Montoya (Pilar Seurat), a gang of thieves steals a 33-carat diamond from wealthy Everlyn Harcourt (June Vincent). The FBI enters the scene after one of the crooks is killed during the heist and the rest scatter to the four winds. Athough the gang's fence is captured, master thief Victor Amazeen (Jack Klugman) manages to elude a trap set by Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.)--but if Amazeen thinks his problems are over, he is sorely mistaken. Featured among the villains is future Hill St. Blues star Daniel J. Travanti, here billed as Dan Travanty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Based on one of author Phillip Roth's shorter works, Goodbye Columbus stars Richard Benjamin as Neil, a young man of humble means who falls in love with Jewish-American-princess Brenda (Ali MacGraw). Their romance is out of the question so far as Brenda's suburbanite parents are concerned, so Neil and Brenda rendezvous in some of the sleaziest motels ever seen in a 1960s film (and that assessment includes The Bates Motel). Unwilling to take birth control pills because they upset her tummy, Brenda opts for a diaphragm, which unfortunately is discovered by her mother. Their rocky relationship comprises the bulk of the film. The trendy, New Wave-influenced direction by Larry Peerce gained a great deal of critical attention in 1969, notably such self-indulgent devices as having a close-up of a girl's navel dissolve into a long-shot of a swimming pool. Far more memorable is Peerce's amusingly straight-on depictions of upper-class Jewish/American social functions. In their film debuts, Richard Benjamin and Ali MacGraw are appealingly awkward; the more memorable performance is delivered by Michael Meyers as MacGraw's adenoidal younger brother. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Benjamin, Ali MacGraw, (more)
Frank Sinatra gives a gritty performance in the crime thriller The Detective. When Teddy Leikman, the homosexual son of a politically connected department-store magnate, is murdered, detective Joe Leland (Frank Sinatra) is sent in to investigate. Leland drags in Teddy's psychotic former roommate Felix Tesla (Tony Musante) and forces a confession out of him; for his work on the case Leland gets a promotion, which troubles him. Afterwards, Norma MacIver (Jacqueline Bisset), the widow of a well-heeled accountant, comes to see Leland. Her husband was killed after falling off the grandstand at a racetrack -- but Norma thinks he was pushed. She asks Leland to investigate her husband's death. Reopening the case, Leland discovers that the police are opposed to him scratching around any further, and after an attempt on his life, he uncovers some startling evidence that may connect the two deaths. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Sinatra, Lee Remick, (more)
- 1968
A pair of crooks conspire to rob the ticket booth at the Los Angeles Coliseum during a Rams game. Before they can perform the heist, the two must find precisely the right henchmen to join them. Each potential gang member must undergo a rigorous test of skill. Thanks to care and precise planning, the caper comes off smoothly and afterward the gang leader (Jim Brown) hides the money in the apartment of his ex-wife (Diahann Carroll). She only agrees to keep the money on the provision that he reform so they can get back together. Unfortunately, the wife's lust-crazed landlord (James Whitmore) busts into her house the next day and tries to rape her. During the struggle he kills her and then takes the loot. Later a crooked cop (Gene Hackman) investigates. Meanwhile, when the gang members learn that the loot is missing, they suspect a double-cross and engage in a huge battle. The cop finds the money and at first keeps it for himself. The head crook eventually figures out that the cop has it and so goes to him to make a little deal. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Brown, Diahann Carroll, (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
- 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)
- 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
- 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
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)
- 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)
