The Judge and His Hangman (Studio One)
| "The Judge and His Hangman" | |
|---|---|
| Studio One episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 8 Episode 9 |
| Directed by | William H. Brown Jr. |
| Written by | Dick Berg |
| Based on | The Judge and His Hangman by Friedrich Dürrenmatt |
| Original air date | November 14, 1955 |
"The Judge and His Hangman" is an episode of the CBS television anthology series Studio One consisting of an hour-long adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1950 novel of the same name. The episode was first broadcast November 14, 1955. Adapted by Dick Berg and directed by William H. Brown Jr.,[1] the episode starred Kurt Kasznar, Charles Korvin, and Luis Van Rooten.[2]
Cast
Credits derived from November 12, 1955 issue of TV Guide's Chicago Edition.[3]
- Barlach – Kurt Kasznar
- Gastmann - Charles Korvin
- Laszlo - Herbert Berghof
- Tschantz – Jamie Smith
- Von Schwendi – George Voskovec
- Lutz – Luis Van Rooten
Premise
In Bern, Switzerland, the deceptively low-key commissioner of police announces that the mystery surrounding the death of a fellow officer has been solved. Exactly how this solution was reached is revealed through a series of flashbacks.[3]
Reception
Both Ben Gross of the Daily News and Post-Gazette TV writer Win Fanning praised Berg's adaptation, but Fanning found it especially valuable as a showcase for Kasznar's "immeasurable talent."[4][5] Likewise, Hartford Courant critic George Tashman valued, first and foremost, "Kasznar's diabolical portrayal," while deeming the production overall, "an unpleasant little drama [featuring a] highly contrived plot [and] dozens of fluffed lines, [yet one made] enjoyable [by] the acting of Kasznar, Luis van Rooten as the minister of police, and Charles Korvin as Gastmann."[2]
See also
- End of the Game, 1975 theatrical film based on the same novel
References
- ^ "Talent Showsheet November 11 - November 20 1955: Monday November 14". Ross Reports on Television. November 11, 1955 p. B.
- ^ a b Tashman, George (November 17, 1955). "Clickin' the Channels". The Richmond Independent. p. 48.
- ^ a b "Monday, November 14". TV Guide (Chicago Edition). November 12, 1955. p. A-25.
- ^ Gross, Ben (December 5, 1955). "What's On: CBS 'Trade-In' Offer Brightens Color Future". New York Daily News. p. 61. ProQuest 2279429539.
Among the TV dramas I've seen lately, Dick Berg's 'The Judge and the Hangman' made a powerful impression. This new writer is a promising one.
- ^ Fanning, Win (November 16, 1955). "Television and Radio". Post-Gazette. p. 35.