The very talented comedian/impressionist George Kirby had struggled for years in obscure nightclubs and casinos before landing an appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' and then some gradual tv exposure. (Full disclosure: I've worked with Kirby.) 'The George Kirby TV Special' (1970) was intended as Kirby's screen test, to see if he could carry a weekly vehicle. He parlayed this into a comedy/variety series, 'Half the George Kirby Comedy Hour'. Although immensely talented, Kirby was physically unappealing. Also, his career peak (such as it was) came at a time when white audiences were still not entirely comfortable with black performers. After his series was cancelled, Kirby's career foundered. He got arrested for drugs dealing, took a plea deal, and eventually died of Parkinson's disease.
The 'George Kirby TV Special' started out with some of Kirby's impressions and comedy. The final 15 minutes of the show were a set-piece intended to show Kirby's versatility and his considerable talents as a dramatic actor. Kirby began by reminiscing about his early days as a struggling actor. The action then faded into a flashback, depicting Kirby (supposedly in his younger days) living in a cheap rooming-house, hoping for a big break as an actor. The phone rings, with a call from the manager of a local theatre, who tells Kirby 'I've got something for you.' Thrilled that he's been offered a part in a play, Kirby starts wondering what sort of part it might be. A dramatic role? Kirby does a brief Shakespearean monologue, reciting the porter's soliloquy from 'Macbeth'. Or perhaps the role will be in a musical? Kirby performs one of Henry Higgins's songs from 'My Fair Lady'. Perhaps the play will be a melodrama? Kirby does a brief scene as Doctor Jekyll turning into Mister Hyde. Starving actor Kirby is down to his last few dollars (you wouldn't know it from his waistline), but he resolves that -- after he reports to the theatre manager tomorrow morning, and is cast in a play -- he's "gonna have me a feast" and celebrate with his remaining money.
SPOILER COMING. The next morning (still in flashback), Kirby shows up at the local theatre, which turns out to be a cinema where Kirby recently saw a movie. The 'theatre manager' turns out to be the head usher, who only rang Kirby because he wanted to return a book which Kirby accidentally left at the cinema. There will be no role for actor Kirby today. But Kirby still has his pride: he takes out his last remaining dollars and gives them to the usher as a tip for his trouble.
George Kirby could have had a career as a dramatic actor, among his many other talents. Instead, he has to be numbered as one more performer who got a brief taste of stardom but was unable to sustain it. 'The George Kirby TV Special' gives us a glimpse of his versatility. I'll rate this one-off special 8 out of 10.
The 'George Kirby TV Special' started out with some of Kirby's impressions and comedy. The final 15 minutes of the show were a set-piece intended to show Kirby's versatility and his considerable talents as a dramatic actor. Kirby began by reminiscing about his early days as a struggling actor. The action then faded into a flashback, depicting Kirby (supposedly in his younger days) living in a cheap rooming-house, hoping for a big break as an actor. The phone rings, with a call from the manager of a local theatre, who tells Kirby 'I've got something for you.' Thrilled that he's been offered a part in a play, Kirby starts wondering what sort of part it might be. A dramatic role? Kirby does a brief Shakespearean monologue, reciting the porter's soliloquy from 'Macbeth'. Or perhaps the role will be in a musical? Kirby performs one of Henry Higgins's songs from 'My Fair Lady'. Perhaps the play will be a melodrama? Kirby does a brief scene as Doctor Jekyll turning into Mister Hyde. Starving actor Kirby is down to his last few dollars (you wouldn't know it from his waistline), but he resolves that -- after he reports to the theatre manager tomorrow morning, and is cast in a play -- he's "gonna have me a feast" and celebrate with his remaining money.
SPOILER COMING. The next morning (still in flashback), Kirby shows up at the local theatre, which turns out to be a cinema where Kirby recently saw a movie. The 'theatre manager' turns out to be the head usher, who only rang Kirby because he wanted to return a book which Kirby accidentally left at the cinema. There will be no role for actor Kirby today. But Kirby still has his pride: he takes out his last remaining dollars and gives them to the usher as a tip for his trouble.
George Kirby could have had a career as a dramatic actor, among his many other talents. Instead, he has to be numbered as one more performer who got a brief taste of stardom but was unable to sustain it. 'The George Kirby TV Special' gives us a glimpse of his versatility. I'll rate this one-off special 8 out of 10.