There was a time when superb drama was presented on television...by shows like Playhouse 90 and the Du Pont Show of the Week. Admittedly, I'm prejudiced because back in that golden era, I served as the Du Pont series publicist. And among its best plays was Roger Hirson's brilliant allegory, "The Outpost." The tale centered on a group of soldiers, played by Keir Dullea, Richard Conte, Everett Sloane and Neville Brand, sent to a desert outpost, each having committed an act of brutality or cowardice. Commanding the outpost was Claude Rains as a character simply labeled "The Colonel." Claude had been seriously ill and just before a major scene, while we were lunching in the commissary at NBC's Brooklyn studios, he suddenly began to weep. I asked what was wrong and he said, "I shouldn't have taken on this role. I'm too sick. I can't remember one damn line of the next scene. I'm going to humiliate myself." He was a wreck by the time he was called to the set where he proceeded to give a magnificent performance in the climatic scene in which the Colonel breaks down and confesses that he is the worst villain of the five. Over drinks afterward, I asked him "What was that all about, all that hysteria." He smiled at me and said, "Read 'An Actor Prepares" by Stanislavsky. You'll understand." We became friends and remained so until his death just a few years later. If you ever have a chance to catch "The Outpost," do so. You'll see acting at its best.
2 Reviews
Indeed a Masterpiece
leftcoaster-5185624 May 2024
Even when watching a semi-botched old video of it, the quality of the acting, the writing, the direction, even the sparse but evocatively fitting set came through. A gem.
From the moody, caustic opening dialogue between actual real- life war hero Neville Brand and. Everett Sloane you can tell this is not usual television fare but serious talent probing the far reaches of the human soul.
I've been discovering some of these old 60's and 50's dramas which are more satisfying and powerful than the "keep them tuned in" fare even the best people are doing today.
Other must-sees to catch - THE ICEMAN COMETH version with Robert Redford and PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN MAN on Kraft suspense theater with Clint Walker (of all people). Season 1 episode 22.
These are dramas that have you pondering the human condition long after watching them.
From the moody, caustic opening dialogue between actual real- life war hero Neville Brand and. Everett Sloane you can tell this is not usual television fare but serious talent probing the far reaches of the human soul.
I've been discovering some of these old 60's and 50's dramas which are more satisfying and powerful than the "keep them tuned in" fare even the best people are doing today.
Other must-sees to catch - THE ICEMAN COMETH version with Robert Redford and PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN MAN on Kraft suspense theater with Clint Walker (of all people). Season 1 episode 22.
These are dramas that have you pondering the human condition long after watching them.
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