"Playhouse 90: Requiem for a Heavyweight" (CBS, 10/11/56);
"Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse: The Man in the Funny Suit" (CBS, 4/15/60)

September 19, 2012 - 7:30 pm

Billy Wilder Theater

"Playhouse 90: Requiem for a Heavyweight" (CBS, 10/11/56)

Directed by Ralph Nelson

Serling’s virtuosity depicting men under pressure reached its zenith with this live teleplay, later adapted as a feature film. The drama seethes with pathos in its portrait of the indignity that befalls a small-time boxer, used up and discarded by his exploitative handlers. The intense scenario offeredwrenching parts to its leading cast, and coaxed a heartbreaking turn from Jack Palance as a man cruelly left with seemingly no future.

Producer: David J. Eagle, Martin Manulis, Alvin Rakoff. Screenwriter: Rod Serling. Cinematographer: Albert Kurland. Cast: Jack Palance, Keenan Wynn, Kim Hunter, Ed Wynn, Max Baer.

35mm, b/w, 85 min.

"Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse: The Man in the Funny Suit" (CBS, 4/15/60)

Directed by Ralph Nelson

Comedian Ed Wynn, his son, actor, Keenan Wynn, and Rod Serling appear as themselves in this backstage docudrama about the making of "Playhouse 90: Requiem for a Heavyweight.” As rehearsals for the live "Requiem" falter, production concerns mount when it appears that comedian Ed Wynn (best known as “The Perfect Fool”) might be miscast in his first dramatic role.

Screenwriter: Raph Nelson. Cast: Keenan Wynn, Ed Wynn, Desi Arnaz.

16mm, b/w, 60 min.

Preceded by:

Print courtesy of the Packard humanities Institute Collection at the Academy Film Archive

Trailer for "Requiem for a Heavyweight" (1962)

35mm, b/w. approx. 3 min.

Part of:

"Rod Serling: Other Dimensions"

Search form

You are here

"Playhouse 90: Requiem for a Heavyweight" (CBS, 10/11/56); "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse: The Man in the Funny Suit" (CBS, 4/15/60)