Fresh on the heels of the release of his successful feature film debut The Young Stranger, John Frankenheimer directed this Rod Serling-penned study of a television comedian, played by Mickey Rooney, who is a megalomaniac. The story is based on a novelette by Ernest Lehman. Mickey Rooney is mesmerizing as Sammy Hogarth, an abusive and obnoxious lout who has everyone in his orbit cow-towing to him. Mel Torme must have been a dramatic revelation at the time playing Rooney's put upon brother Lester who finally has the goods, albeit, temporarily on Hogarth. Kim Hunter is Lester's frustrated wife who loves her husband but can't stand the passive wimp he has become. Edmond O'Brien is the head writer desperately trying to hang on to a career that has become increasingly ethically challenged.
Frankenheimer effectively casts Rooney, who gives one of his finest adult performances, as the little man who runs everyone into the ground. Rooney is absolutely ruthless and stops at nothing to salvage his broadcasts when things go awry. Torme is equally pathetic, sad, sympathetic, and wimpy as a man at the end of his rope trying to assuage his wife and fend off his brother's abuse simultaneously. Hunter is excellent as a torn woman trying to force her husband away from the demon Hogarth. O'Brien is very good as the writer who makes a terrible mistake and then must play politician as his career crumbles in front of him. Frankenheimer directs the story with the right mix of close-ups, two-shots, and zoom shots featuring the ferocious performances he gets from his actors. Rod Serling received his third Emmy Award for his script which moves the story tautly and quickly. Frankenheimer directed several other programs for television in the 1950's, but with The Comedian, he demonstrated he was a force to be reckoned with for future dramatic productions. This is one of the many tremendous productions yielded by Playhouse 90. ***1/2 of 4 stars.
Frankenheimer effectively casts Rooney, who gives one of his finest adult performances, as the little man who runs everyone into the ground. Rooney is absolutely ruthless and stops at nothing to salvage his broadcasts when things go awry. Torme is equally pathetic, sad, sympathetic, and wimpy as a man at the end of his rope trying to assuage his wife and fend off his brother's abuse simultaneously. Hunter is excellent as a torn woman trying to force her husband away from the demon Hogarth. O'Brien is very good as the writer who makes a terrible mistake and then must play politician as his career crumbles in front of him. Frankenheimer directs the story with the right mix of close-ups, two-shots, and zoom shots featuring the ferocious performances he gets from his actors. Rod Serling received his third Emmy Award for his script which moves the story tautly and quickly. Frankenheimer directed several other programs for television in the 1950's, but with The Comedian, he demonstrated he was a force to be reckoned with for future dramatic productions. This is one of the many tremendous productions yielded by Playhouse 90. ***1/2 of 4 stars.