The White Birch (29 Nov. 1968)

Director:

Lamont Johnson

Writers:

Luther Davis (teleplay), Dean Hargrove (teleplay),

Stars:

Gene Barry, Susan Saint James, Pete Duel

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Gene Barry	...	Glenn Howard
Susan Saint James	...	Peggy Maxwell
Pete Duel	...	Chernin (as Peter Deuel)
Susan Oliver	...	Tatiana Czaleynokis
Roddy McDowall	...	Philip Saxon
Jean-Pierre Aumont	...	Emilio Fazio
Boris Karloff	...	Mikhail Orlov
Louise Sorel	...	Marie Fazio
Richard Jaeckel	...	Melchek
Lilia Skala	...	Madame Orlov
Malila Saint Duval	...	Hedrika Heldjob
Robert Wolders	...	Dubrek
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bethel Leslie	...	Miss Haggblad

Storyline

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Genres:

Adventure

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 November 1968 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The final performance of Boris Karloff, broadcast November 30 1968, two months before his death on February 2 1969.

User Reviews

The great Karloff's final performance

After a stint in Hollywood during the spring completing his scenes in 4 Mexican features,Boris Karloff spent his final summer relaxing until 3 television appearances loomed in the fall.Comedy stints for Red Skelton and Jonathan Winters were followed by a brief dramatic role in the 11th episode of Gene Barry's "The Name of the Game," entitled "The White Birch." As Mikhail Orlov,Boris is first seen in a wheelchair,hands shaking,the apparent victim of a stroke.When we,and star Gene Barry,next see Karloff,he rises from a chair with surprising ease to implore Barry to take with him Orlov's memoir of life behind the Iron Curtain,"The White Birch," now disguised as a volume of Twain's "Tom Sawyer." A convinced Barry departs,leaving Boris behind in the wheelchair,repeating his prior characterization.Our initial apprehension upon the sight of Boris Karloff's ailing appearance evaporates when we next see his smiling,reassuring countenance,revealing no loss of ability as we bid the actor a fond farewell after 50 years on screen.This episode was broadcast on Nov. 29,1968,whereupon Boris traveled back to England,where he died in a Midhurst,Sussex,hospital on Feb. 2,1969.Long live Boris Karloff.