Face of a Hero (Playhouse 90)

Last updated
"Face of a Hero"
Playhouse 90 episode
Jack Lemmon in Face of a Hero.jpg
Jack Lemmon in "Face of a Hero"
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 13
Directed by John Frankenheimer
Written by Robert L. Joseph (adaptation), Pierre Boulle (novel)
Produced by John Houseman
Original air dateJanuary 1, 1959 (1959-01-01)
Running time1:29:55
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"The Nutcracker"
Next 
"The Wings of the Dove"

"Face of a Hero" is an American television play broadcast on January 1, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90 . John Frankenheimer was the director and John Houseman the producer. The cast included Jack Lemmon and Rip Torn.

Contents

Plot

Prosecutor David Poole is pressured to seek the death penalty for a murder committed by Harold Rutland, the son of a wealthy man. Poole knows that the death was an accident because he was present, but out of sight, at the time and saw that the victim was inebriated and fell from the bluff. In his grief, Rutland falsely confesses to murder. Rather than ruin his own reputation by telling what he saw, Poole proceeds with the prosecution and does so with zeal. [1] [2]

Cast

The cast included the following: [1] [3]

Dana Wynter hosted the broadcast.

Production

The program aired on January 1, 1959, on the CBS television series Playhouse 90. John Houseman was the producer and John Frankenheimer the director. Robert L. Joseph wrote the teleplay based on the novel La Face (1956) by Pierre Boulle. [1] [3]

Reception

John P. Shanley of The New York Times called it "a competent dramatization" told in "provocative terms", though the production moved at a pace that "sometimes was too swift." He added that Jack Lemmon gave "a convincing performance". [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Playhouse 90</i> American television series

Playhouse 90 is an American television anthology drama series that aired on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. The show was produced at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of the mid-1950s usually were hour-long shows, the title highlighted the network's intention to present something unusual: a weekly series of hour-and-a-half-long dramas rather than 60-minute plays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JP Miller</span> American writer (1919–2001)

JamesPinckney Miller was an American writer whose pen name was "JP Miller". He was a leading playwright during the Golden Age of Television, receiving three Emmy nominations. A novelist and screenwriter, he was best known for Days of Wine and Roses, directed by John Frankenheimer for Playhouse 90 (1958) and later the 1962 film of the same name directed by Blake Edwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Manulis</span> American film, television and theatre producer

Martin Ellyot Manulis was an American television, film, and theatre producer. Manulis was best known for his work in the 1950s producing the CBS Television programs Suspense, Studio One Summer Theatre, Climax!, The Best of Broadway and Playhouse 90. He was the sole producer of the award-winning drama series, Playhouse 90, during its first two seasons from 1956 to 1958.

Days of Wine and Roses (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 2nd episode of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"Days of Wine and Roses" was a 1958 American teleplay by JP Miller which dramatized the problems of alcoholism. John Frankenheimer directed the cast headed by Cliff Robertson, Piper Laurie and Charles Bickford.

Buick-Electra Playhouse is a 90-minute dramatic anthology series produced by and aired on CBS from November 19, 1959, until May 19, 1960. It was sponsored by Buick. Four episodes, all based on Ernest Hemingway's works, were broadcast.

Bombers Moon (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 35th episode of the 2nd season of Playhouse 90

"Bomber's Moon" was an American television play broadcast live on May 22, 1958, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 35th episode of the second season of Playhouse 9o.

"Target for Three" was an American television play broadcast live on October 1, 1959, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the first episode of the fourth season of Playhouse 90 and the 118th episode overall.

"The Sounds of Eden" was an American television play broadcast live on October 15, 1959, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the second episode of the fourth season of Playhouse 90 and the 119th episode overall.

"Misalliance" was an American television play broadcast live on October 29, 1959, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the third episode of the fourth season of Playhouse 90 and the 120th episode overall.

"The Hidden Image" was an American television play broadcast live on November 12, 1959, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the fourth episode of the fourth season of Playhouse 90 and the 121st episode overall.

"The Tunnel" was a pre-recorded American television play first broadcast on December 10, 1959, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the sixth episode of the fourth season of Playhouse 90 and the 123rd episode overall.

Forbidden Area (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of Playhouse 90

"Forbidden Area" was an American television play broadcast live on October 4, 1956, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the premiere episode of the series. The play concerns efforts to thwart a massive, Christmastime nuclear attack from a fleet of Russian submarines located off the coast of the United States. Rod Serling wrote the screenplay, and John Frankenheimer directed. Charlton Heston, Tab Hunter, Diana Lynn, and Charles Bickford starred.

Heritage of Anger (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 7th episode of the 1st season of Playhouse 90

"Heritage of Anger" was an American television play broadcast on November 15, 1956, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the seventh episode of the series.

The Fabulous Irishman (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 39th episode of the 1st season of Playhouse 90

"The Fabulous Irishman" was an American television play broadcast live on June 27, 1957, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 39th episode of the first season.

The Family Nobody Wanted (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 12th episode of the 1st season of Playhouse 90

"The Family Nobody Wanted" was an American television play broadcast on December 20, 1956, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 12th episode of the first season of Playhouse 90.

The Death of Manolete (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 1st episode of the 2nd season of Playhouse 90

"The Death of Manolete" was an American television play broadcast live on September 12, 1957, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the first episode of the second season and featured Jack Palance in the role of Manolete. Producer Martin Manulis later called it "the classic clinker of all time."

For Whom the Bell Tolls (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 23rd and 24th episodes of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" was an American television play broadcast in two parts on March 12 and March 19, 1959, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It is a television adaptation of the 1940 novel by Ernest Hemingway. John Frankenheimer was the director. The cast included Jason Robards, Maria Schell, and Maureen Stapleton.

"The Turn of the Screw" was an American television movie broadcast by NBC on October 20, 1959, as the third episode of the television series, Ford Startime. It was written by James Costigan as an adaptation of Henry James' novella of the same name. John Frankenheimer was the director and producer.

The Return of Ansel Gibbs (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 9th episode of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"The Return of Ansel Gibbs" was an American television play broadcast on November 27, 1958, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90.

The Blue Men (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 15th episode of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"The Blue Men" was an American television play broadcast on January 15, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. John Frankenheimer was the director and Alvin Boretz the writer. The cast included Edmond O'Brien and Jack Warden.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Playhouse 90: Face of a Hero". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  2. William Ewald (January 2, 1959). "Playhouse 90 Director Breathes Life Into Play". Register-Guard (UPI story). p. 8A via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "Playhouse 90, Season 3". The Classic TV Archive. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  4. John P. Shanley (January 2, 1959). "Intriguing Drama: 'Face of a Hero' Is Told in Provocative Terms in R. L. Joseph's Adaptation". The New York Times. p. 45.