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UCLA Film & Television Archive and Paulist Productions present

"Insight": Experimental Theater of Hollywood Television

"Insight" animated sequence
November 18, 2011 - 7:30 pm
In-person: 
Rev. Eric Andrews, Paulist Productions.

50th Anniversary Screening!

Insight's Father Kieser

Created, produced and hosted by Paulist priest Father Ellwood E. Kieser (1929–2000), the landmark anthology television series “Insight” debuted in the 1960-61 season and aired nationally in syndication for well over two decades.  Top Hollywood artists such as Rod Serling, Ida Lupino, Bob Newhart, Patty Duke, William Peter Blatty, Michael Crichton and Martin Sheen contributed their talents to the series, drawn by the show’s reputation for stretching the creative boundaries of television. Fondly remembered for its “Twilight Zone”-esque tone, “Insight” received critical acclaim and won numerous Emmy Awards for addressing difficult social issues and humanist themes, often with black humor or stark realism.

UCLA Film & Television Archive is pleased to join Paulist Productions in celebrating this lost television cult-classic with a panel discussion, a series highlight reel and a screening of the star-studded episodes “Locusts Have No King” (1965) and “The Poker Game” (1969).

Preserved by UCLA Film & Television Archive

"Insight: Locusts Have No King" (1965)

"Insight: Locusts Have No King" (1965)

Directed by Ted Post

In this noir-tinged episode, a businessman is drugged and jailed on morals charges as he stands against political corruption in his municipality.

Screenwriter: Gilbert Ralston. Cast: William Shatner, Geraldine Brooks.

DigiBeta, b/w, Approx 30 min.

Preserved by UCLA Film & Television Archive

"Insight: The Poker Game" (1969)

"Insight: The Poker Game" (1969)

Directed by Ralph Senensky

A friendly card game turns brutal as an idealistic hippie reveals the prejudices, hang-ups and dark hidden frailties among a group of middle-aged men.

Screenwriter: Jack Hanrahan. Cast: Ed Asner, Bill Bixby, Jeffrey Hunter, Beau Bridges.

DigiBeta, b/w, Approx 30 min.