"Topaze" | |
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Playhouse 90 episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 3 |
Directed by | Vincent J. Donehue |
Written by | Ellis St. Joseph (adaptation), Marcel Pagnol (play) |
Featured music | Robert Drasnin |
Original air date | September 26, 1957 |
Guest appearances | |
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"Topaze" was an American television play broadcast on September 26, 1957, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90 . Ellis St. Joseph wrote the teleplay based on Marcel Pagnol's 1928 play, Topaze . Vincent J. Donehue directed, Martin Manulis was the producer, and Robert Drasnin composed the music. Sterling Hayden was the host, and Ernie Kovacs and Carl Reiner starred. [1] [2]
The program's commercial sponsors were the American Gas Association, Theradan anti-dandruff shampoo, Marlboro cigarettes, and Ipana toothpaste. [1]
Topaze, an idealistic teacher in a small French school, is fired for refusing to adjust the grades of the son of an influential and corrupt politician. The politician then hires Topaze as the head of a dummy corporation, serving as bagman and money launderer. After realizing that he has been taken advantage of, Topaze embraces the corruption to achieve his own fortune.
The following performers received screen credit for their performances: [1]
Robert Reiner is an American actor and filmmaker. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence with the role of Mike "Meathead" Stivic on the CBS sitcom All in the Family (1971–1979), a performance that earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Ernest Edward Kovacs was an American comedian, actor, and writer.
Carl Reiner was an American actor, stand-up comedian, director, screenwriter, and author whose career spanned seven decades. He was the recipient of many awards and honors, including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999.
The year 1959 in television involved some significant events. Below is a list of television-related events during 1959.
The Ernie Kovacs Show is an American comedy show hosted by comedian Ernie Kovacs, first shown in Philadelphia during the early 1950s, then nationally. The show appeared in many versions and formats, including daytime, prime-time, late-night, talk show, comedy, and as a summer replacement series.
Edie Adams was an American comedian, actress, singer and businesswoman. She earned the Tony Award and was nominated for an Emmy Award.
Caesar's Hour is a live, hour-long American sketch-comedy television program that aired on NBC from 1954 until 1957. The program starred, among others, Sid Caesar, Nanette Fabray, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, Janet Blair, and Milt Kamen, and featured a number of cameo roles by famous entertainers such as Joan Crawford and Peggy Lee.
Take a Good Look is an American television game show created by and starring Ernie Kovacs, which aired from 1959 to 1961 on ABC's Thursday-night block at 10:30 PM Eastern Time.
"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.
"The Velvet Alley" was an American television play broadcast on January 22, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. Rod Serling was the writer and Franklin Schaffner the director. The cast included Art Carney and Leslie Nielsen.
"The Rank and File" is an American television play broadcast on May 28, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. The cast includes Van Heflin and Charles Bronson. The teleplay was written by Rod Serling
"Made in Japan" was an American television play broadcast on March 5, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. The cast included Harry Guardino, E.G. Marshall, and Dean Stockwell. Herbert Hirschman was the director and Leslie Stevens the writer.
"The Dingaling Girl" was an American television play broadcast on February 26, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. The cast included Diane Varsi, Eddie Albert, and Mort Sahl. Fielder Cook was the director and J.P. Miller the writer.
"The Raider" was an American television play broadcast on February 19, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. The cast included Frank Lovejoy, Donald Crisp, and Rod Taylor. Franklin Schaffner was the director and Loring Mandel the writer.
"The Innocent Sleep" is an American television play broadcast live on June 5, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. Tad Mosel wrote the teleplay, and Franklin Schaffner directed. Hope Lange, John Ericson, and Buster Keaton starred, and Raymond Burr was the host.
"Rumors of Evening" is an American television play broadcast on May 1, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. John Frankenheimer directed. Barbara Bel Geddes, John Kerr, and Robert Loggia starred, and The Kingston Trio also appeared as Bob, Dave, and Nick.
"Point of No Return" was an American television play broadcast on February 20, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. Franklin Schaffner directed. Charlton Heston and Hope Lange starred.
"The Violent Heart" is an American television play broadcast on February 6, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. John Frankenheimer directed. Dana Wynter and Ben Gazzara starred.
"The Thundering Wave" was an American television play broadcast on December 12, 1957, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. John Frankenheimer directed. James Mason, Franchot Tone, and Joan Bennett starred.
"The Troublemakers" was an American television play broadcast on November 21, 1957, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. John Frankenheimer directed. Ben Gazzara, Barbara Rush, and Keenan Wynn starred.