The Comedian (14 Feb. 1957)

Sammy Hogarth, a vaudeville comedian who now has his own TV show, is a ruthless egomaniac who demands instant obedience from his staff and heaps abuse on those in lesser positions than he ... See full summary »

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers:

Ernest Lehman (novel), Rod Serling

Stars:

Richard Joy, Mickey Rooney, Kim Hunter

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Richard Joy	...	Himself - Announcer (as Dick Joy)
Mickey Rooney	...	Sammy Hogarth
Kim Hunter	...	Julie Hogarth
Edmond O'Brien	...	Al Preston
Mel Tormé	...	Lester Hogarth
Constance Ford	...	Connie
Whit Bissell	...	Elwell
King Donovan	...	The Director
Eddie Ryder	...	Jake
H.M. Wynant	...	Sonny
Michael Ross	...	Masseur (as Mike Ross)

Storyline

Sammy Hogarth, a vaudeville comedian who now has his own TV show, is a ruthless egomaniac who demands instant obedience from his staff and heaps abuse on those in lesser positions than he is. His most vituperative behavior, however, is reserved for his weak-willed brother, Lester, who Sammy has hired as his assistant but who really uses him as his whipping boy.

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Plot Keywords:

actor | television | based on novel

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | War | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 February 1957 (USA)

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Playhouse 90, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gossip columnist Elwell (Whit Bissell) is also a character in Sweet Smell of Success. Both productions are from material by Ernest Lehman.

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Connections

Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)

User Reviews

Mickey Rooney is a Revelation

I watched this yesterday and was astounded by the performances of all, but especially Mickey Rooney. He is so natural and fluid. His performance is seamless. For those who think of Mickey Rooney as a happy-go-lucky character type, this performance will floor you. He is nasty and ruthless and heartless. The rest of the cast is similarly flawless. How much time did it take to rehearse, I wonder? Watching these old live broadcasts is also a revelation. That they were able to have such variety and density in such confined environs is amazing. While some things such as transitions and breaks are crude by today's standards, that they did all of this live is impressive. There is a montage near the end of the program with cross-fades and multiple locations. How did they do it? The writing is equally spectacular. Can one think of anything similar being done today? As another reviewer noted, the denouement does have something of a false ring to it. I won't spoil it here. I know how I would have ended it. It would be interesting to read the Ernest Lehman story on which the show is based to see if it is the same.