A Ticket for Thaddeus (9 May 1956)

A Polish refugee and new citizen gets involved in a slight car accident, but he doesn't fully understand American life, and believes he will be sent to a concentration camp.

Director:

Frank Borzage

Writer:

A.I. Bezzerides (teleplay)

Stars:

Raymond Bailey, Clem Bevans, Russ Conway

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Raymond Bailey	...	Judge
Clem Bevans	...	Jessup
Russ Conway	...	1st Officer
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Bowen (as Alan Hale)
Edmond O'Brien	...	Thaddeus Kubaczik
Narda Onyx	...	Kathi Kubaczik
Frances Robinson	...	Mrs. Preston
Hayden Rorke	...	Collier

Storyline

A Polish refugee and new citizen gets involved in a slight car accident, but he doesn't fully understand American life, and believes he will be sent to a concentration camp.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 1956 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Terrific Performance by O'Brien

Screen Directors Playhouse: A Ticket for Thaddeus (1956)

**** (out of 4)

Frank Borzage directs this hard-hitting entry in the Hal Roach series. Polish immigrant Thaddeus Kubaczik (Edmond O'Brien) fears anyone in a uniform due to years of suffering in a concentration camp. One day he's involved in an accident and even though he didn't cause it he says he's guilty fearing that he's going to be sent to another camp. A TICKET FOR THADDEUS is a wonderful and rather remarkable little gem and I'm a little shocked that it's not better known and especially by those who are history buffs or those who try and see anything dealing with the Holocaust. I must admit that the film really took my breathe away because it's so well-made and sensitive that you can't help but really feel sorry for our lead character. I've seen O'Brien in quite a few movies but I honestly never knew he had this type of performance in him. Many people faced terror the rest of their lives after being released from these camps and just watching O'Brien here you'd feel that he really was in a camp. Just look at the terror in his face and eyes as he fears that he's going to be shipped off and away from his wife. I'm not sure what the actor did to get into the role but it's certainly one of the most memorable performances I've ever seen. The subject matter is a pretty dark one and I was surprised at how effective it was told. After all, this is just a 25-minute feature for TV but the subject matter is looked at in a respectful way and I think it's a pretty startling character study and an even better spotlight for the justice in this country when it was done right.