STORY STUDY - CRITERION WEEK - 495. “The Golden Age of Television”
- Jeffrey Tung
- Mar 26, 2018
- 3 min read
This month has been dedicated to exploring DVDs that contain multiple stories showcasing an individual creative vision (this, of course, does not count for History of the World, Part I). This is all to set up to today’s subject from the Criterion Collection.
The Golden Age of Television is a collection of teleplays that range from the year 1953-1958. A little history lesson: the Golden Age of Television refers to the decade when television was showcasing upcoming talent every week. Even in this collection, you’ll see iconic actors and writers who have gained their start with teleplays: live, one-hour plays.
Marty is written by Paddy Chayefsky and starring Rod Steiger, about a man who wants to find love but is worried he never will.
Patterns is written by Rod Serling and features Elizabeth Montgomery, about the cruel world of big-business where anyone can be easily replaced despite the valuable contributions to the company.
No Time for Sergeants is written by Ira Levin and based on the novel Mac Hyman, and starring Andy Griffith. It’s about the misadventures of a country man who is drafted to the United States Army Air Force during World War II.
A Wind from the South is written by James Costigan and starring Julie Harris, about a lonely innkeeper conflicted with staying with her brother and going to see the world. The production features an original song sung by future legendary talk-show host Merv Griffin.
Bang the Drum Slowly is written by Arnold Schulman and based on the novel by Mark Harris, and starring Paul Newman. It’s about a baseball player who learns that one of his teammates, whom the others bully, is terminally ill and about to be sent to the minor leagues. He convinces his teammates to inspire the terminally ill teammate to become a better player before he passes.
Requiem for a Heavyweight is written by Serling and starring Jack Palance, Keenan Wynn, his father Ed Wynn, and Kim Hunter. It’s about a washed-up boxer who suffers from brain damage who is told he can’t box again or else he might go blind or even get killed. Since boxing is all he knows, he is afraid to try something new.
The Comedian is written by Serling and based on the novella by Ernest Lehman, and starring Mickey Rooney, Kim Hunter, Mel Torme. The story’s antagonist is Sammy Hogarth, played by Rooney at his most intimidating and disgusting role (for all the right reasons). The protagonist is Lester Hogarth, Sammy’s brother, who is constantly the source of all of Sammy’s jokes on his show. Lester’ wife, Julie, is frustrated about Lester’s non-action against his brother’s abuse, and to add salt in the wound, a reporter writes an article hinting about Julie having an affair with Sammy.
Days of Wine and Roses is written by J.P. Miller and starring Cliff Robertson and Piper Laurie, about a couple whose love slowly deteriorates when the husband convinces his wife to join him in his drinking habit.
Right off the bat, I can definitely say that if any of these stories are not for you, I can totally understand that. I blindly bought this, thinking there would be at least one teleplay I would like… and I do, but not with the reasons I’m comfortable with. The Comedian is not a feel-good program, but the acting is just so good and the writing is clearly fueled by pessimism that you can’t help but appreciate it.
From a technical aspect, it’s just amazing to see these people work in such an environment. While not all teleplays are performed live, the ones in this collection are, and seeing actors and writers in their early stage of their career is just fascinating to witness.
If you’re not familiar with the teleplays from the Golden Age of Television, I highly recommend watching a teleplay that came from this period of time. Not necessarily from this collection, but any of them. I feel the best way to find one is look for a classic film that you like, and see if it is an adaptation of a teleplay, since some of the teleplays in this collection eventually became films. Best of all: they are all standalone stories (as far as I’m aware), so there’s no need to find a sequel or anything like that.
Turn the T.V. on and check them out.
