The Game (1965) Chrysler Theatre

[@EricLehner]

Shows of this era had terrific openings - proud, noble and impactful.

[@AdmiralNelson1000]

A lost art. Thank goodness for this!

[@executivedecision6141]

This is the only Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre episode in its 51 minute entirety on You Tube or anywhere else that I could find! This is DVD quality.

[@AdmiralNelson1000]

True! Sensational😮.

[@scvandy3129]

"executivedecision6141," And for the full length AND correct 4x3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio AND proper film reels' storage which preserved the rich color elements of the 35 mm film stock, we appreciative KZbin viewers say 'Bravo!' and 'Mahalo!' And 'let's hear it for' and 'give a hand to' Cliff Robertson, Dina Merrill, Maurice Evans and Nehemiah Persoff for true ensemble work with individual performances shining too.

[@melokc7257]

The peacock at beginning and the intro was enough to give it a thumbs up.

[@Spiritgumm]

The joke about correctly pronouncing Nehemiah Persoff (good luck with that name) got my attention at the start.

[@fromthesidelines]

Originally telecast on September 15, 1965. The series moved from Fridays at 8:30pm(et) to Wednesdays at 9pm for its third season.

[@alecwilliams7111]

The BOB HOPE CHRYSKER THEATER set some very high standards that have rarely been equaled. "The Game" won an Emmy for Cliff Robertson.

[@Brenda-t5r]

It's "Chrysler" Theater.

[@gplunk]

Total enjoyment; really reminds me of the many quality productions from that era, and who could beat Bob Hope for emcee....

[@scvandy3129]

"gplunk," " . . . who could beat Bob Hope for emcee...." Since they're entirely different personalities and their telecasts of varying styles, I will offer: "Not necessarily beat Bob Hope, but surely Dick Powell, Alfred Hitchcock, Walt Disney and Rod Serling can hold their own and have their fans. Wonderful, FULL-LENGTH, 51-minute episode with 'bumpers' at each act break. Some would 'hum' that four-second classy, elegant bit. Class act from 'fade-in' to Universal fanfare following end credits. . . . I had NO IDEA 'where the story was going' [e.g., to Dina Merrill's boudoir and bedroom?] Thank you very much for presenting 'The Game,' "spiritgumz"; and for maintaining its proper 4x3 aspect ratio -- something that far too many presenters on KZbin fail to adhere to.

[@gplunk]

Point def. taken....

[@rosairiscastrourena8571]

​@@scvandy3129no entendí la trama. Podría explicarme por favor. GRACIAS

[@deacondavis5098]

A complete soundtrack recording including John Williams early scores for television Needs to be released especially his work on Kraft Suspense Theater And Chrysler Theater!

[@jorgeestomba9888]

This is an Outstanding story Very hard to top it Just perfect 10 psychological drama! A masterpiece by Pollack ! Oustanding acting by Cliff & Dina a Goddess of Beauty !

[@rosairiscastrourena8571]

No entendí la trama. Me podría explicar por favor. Gracias

[@numbersix8919]

​@@rosairiscastrourena8571 I ricchi sono diversi? E se sì, come e perché? Cos'è il denaro? Cos'è il valore? Cosa è prezioso?

[@suraya1224]

​@@rosairiscastrourena8571You didn't miss anything! This one wasn't one of their better episodes.

[@pz3j]

Marcus Aurilius wrote: "If you really want to test a man, give him power."

[@benjamlnlewis6836]

Intensity all the way through. Has U waiting for the next scene.

[@trilbywilby7826]

This reminds me of The Rocking-Horse Winner by D.H. Lawrence. Thanks for the upload.

[@jorgeperez9842]

Not by DH Lawrence

[@benjamlnlewis6836]

Very intriguing plot, most enjoyable acting. Rags to riches concept on point.

[@JJJBRICE]

Besides her surprising acting realm , Miss Merrill would be if the dictionary had pictures be listed as the ultimate trophy wife . Post cereals , EF Hutton and Colgate !

[@Spiritgumm]

Banco!

[@dinacox1971]

You have that rather reversed. The wealthy person finds the very pretty or handsome spouse that apparently has little other attributes. If anyone was a trophy spouse it would have had to be Cliff Roberston. This also doesn't meet the criteria because while not at her level, he was also born wealthy and of course, was an actor of some note.

[@anacastillocondore3133]

​@@dinacox1971👍👍👍

[@mortalclown3812]

Sydney Pollack! 🔥

[@suraya1224]

Over-rated, imo.

[@springsogourne]

Money allows for greater choice, but it’s up to you to make good choices

[@sammy-wi8pi]

My bro-in-law had a Chrysler in Australia.....great car ❤❤❤

[@jackbuckley7816]

I've never been a big fan of gambling stories as I can't seem to follow the cards or comprehend adequately the rules. Even with this simple game of Chemin de Fer, I got lost on the explanations beyond the first few basic ones. When plots feature long drawn out card & gambling games, I usually get bored. I didn't here because I enjoyed the elegant setting of the room & the thought of all that ultra-wealth laying around kept me glued. Dina Merrill was easy on the eyes, though given few lines to speak. Robertson's a reliably solid actor whom I've always liked. The story held my interest, not knowing where things were headed. I assumed Robertson was going to lose it all by the end but this never happened, so I was surprised. His breakdown may've been a little over-the-top melodramatic but well-acted nonetheless. I very much enjoyed Bob Hope's intro, usually they're cut-out of the re-packaged Chrysler programs. I've waited years to see him on one of these again. I've seen only one other, where he also had a final comment in addition to the intro. On this episode, however, Bob doesn't reappear at the end, assuming it wasn't cut. Anyway, these Chrysler shows are great television history regardless!

[@jorgeestomba9888]

Bob hope was the only boring scene of this great story !

[@tracywilliams7929]

1954 or so the first James Bond movie was released. It was Casino Royale with Barry Nelson as an Americanized Bond and Peter Lorre as the first Bond villain, LeChiffre. If only that had the production values of this movie!

[@billashe2108]

Power turns the smart one into a fool and the fool one into a crazy! And in this case into a dead man.

[@tracycosta6373]

Outstanding drama

[@scvandy3129]

One irony of this third season premiere of "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" is that all the sponsor's new, 1966 model year cars can't be seen driven by the story's lead characters or background extras because the format of 'The Game' keeps EVERYTHING indoors, basically one big room. Of course they'll be on full display during commercial breaks. Despite the likelihood of a claustrophobic feeling by the audience, director Sydney Pollack brilliantly maintains the tension and keeps many of us 'on the edge of their seats.' Even if he did move the camera outside -- surely to Universal' Studios' exterior European or Mediterranean exterior sets -- storywise it would be inconceivable that new model year, American cars would be pictured. Over at fall 1965 Sunday evenings, within the hit family western "Bonanza" the stars would be in 'Cartwright wardrobe' or in their street clothes 'pitching,' 'hustling for' the new Chevrolet models for '66. It's quite a kick to see these time capsule chestnuts on the authorized "Bonanza" DVD sets' bonus tracks. . . . Speaking of -- ahem, "Chrysler Theatre" is a LONG-OVERDUE, PRIME candidate for the DVD / Blu-ray treatment. "Merci," Spiritgumz, for a compelling viewing experience.

[@E-Kat]

This is so good, that it is bad. Don't what to know how high my blood pressure is now! 😂

[@Spiritgumm]

C'mon, bet it all....banco! But that's essentially why Cliff gets pushed off the cliff at the end.

[@rosairiscastrourena8571]

No entendí la trama. Podrá explicarme por favor.GRACIAS​@@Spiritgumm

[@davidgibson7615]

Chrysler Theatre is broadcast on NBCproduced by Hovue Productions a joint venture of Revue Productions division of Universal City Studios and Bob Hope Enterprises. Sponsored by the Chrysler Corporation.

[@AdmiralNelson1000]

Thank you. Appreciate d.

[@AllenJones-w3p]

I figured that Hovue was a joint venture between Revue Studios(later Universal TV) and Bob Hope Enterprises.

[@scvandy3129]

@@AllenJones-w3p Lucky guess; and "davidgibson7615," provided the particulars. I didn't know the reason, the answer until this helpful Comment and Reply. Similar curiosity: On "Ironside" and "The Bold Ones" 'The New Doctors' segments Harbour Productions Unlimited -- "Ironside" star Raymond Burr's company affiliated with Universal as well -- gets production / company credit in end titles. Other than Harbour being the British version of Harbor I [and Wikipedia] don't have an explanation for its usage as company title. E.G., is it an amalgamation like Hovue?

[@matthewbulger5876]

Will Hope Enterprises finally and hopefully get on DVD ,Blu Ray, or the Internet, remastered and restored episodes of "Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theater"? I would like to see them. I await your reply.

[@jeffmissinne3866]

As far as I know, Universal, rather than the Hope estate, owns the series. Episodes of this series, along with some from "Kraft Suspense Theatre," were syndicated in reruns as "Universal Star Time." Hope's curtain speeches were removed (to allow for more commercials, but natch) and the opening with John Williams' theme music was replaced by a montage of scenes from the Universal City studio tour accompanied by a big-band rendition of "A Sign Of The Times," the Petula Clark hit. So much for class...

[@AdmiralNelson1000]

​@@jeffmissinne3866 Thank you. I've heard of Universal Star Time but could only guess about its nature.

[@scvandy3129]

@@jeffmissinne3866 "butchers", i.e., in the editing room: clip, cut, clip, cut, add an ad, clip, cut, clip, cut, add some ads, clip, cut, clip, cut, add more ads. At least "The Virginian" episodes run 78 minutes and "Alisa Smith and Jones" 50 minutes (full length) on the authorized DVD sets. [Why their DVD sets of "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Wagon Train" and "Laredo" show shortened episodes we can only remain riled up about.) THIS, 'The Game," was a superb viewing experience of a top-notch program.

[@Gator1699]

Wish I had a Dodge 65 pick up. But I did drive an International AA130 for a while.🐊

[@Spiritgumm]

Have you considered a '64 Chevy Impala? It gives you an out-of-body experience. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoKtY4aHlpuIgaM

[@dinacox1971]

This was a very strange movie for these two actors to make given their own wealth. Of course, Cliff Roberston and Dina Merrill were married. She was the heiress to the Post Cereal fortune and he was born of some wealth although not as much as her, but then there were very few fortunes that would be comparable to Ms. Merrill's fortune.

[@billhershkowitz5759]

I'm going down to my local Dodge dealer to order a new Dart GTS!

[@anonymoushuman8344]

I'd go for an original Dart in good shape instead.

[@asullivan4047]

They manufacture quality vans-!!! Had 2 over the years. Remember the Tradesman-100-???🤔.

[@JMG1956]

Save your money 😊

[@scvandy3129]

"billhershkowitz5759," . . . And men of a certain age and with locked-in memories are going down 'memory lane' to fantasize about Pamela Austin -- 'The Dodge Rebellion Wants YOU!" pitch woman in TV commercials and print ads. Blonde, PURRR-FEKT, young, adult female dimensions, pretty, killer smile, upbeat and friendly personality, vivacious; sometimes attired in white hat, white boots and shorts -- the latter two accentuating her luscious legs. As to 'The Game' -- an original script delivered by a top-of-their-game cast makes for this wonderful viewing experience. We get the added treat of the original, four-second bumpers at each act break. Plus, as others have mentioned, host Bob Hope's into -- which gets cut out for the syndicated prints which is all Universal Television's syndication division has shared, put out there, for 60 years.

[@Spiritgumm]

Have you considered a '64 Chevy Impala? It gives you an out-of-body experience. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoKtY4aHlpuIgaM

[@sammy-wi8pi]

Bob Hope, the funniest guy I know in showbiz😂😂😂😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@dinacox1971]

I converted what he said his salary of approximately $12,000 and the equivalent would be almost $120,000 today. Conveniently while watching this film a close approximation can be calculated by simply multiplying by 10, e.g. adding a zero.

[@melokc7257]

I'm always calculating while watching old movies

[@dinacox1971]

@@melokc7257 me too and I watch a lot of old movies. LOL

[@acastrohowell]

He couldn’t handle it

[@Spiritgumm]

He conveniently had a pre-existing heart problem. Not sure what symbolism that embolism represents.

[@vincentmulier853]

At 24:10, the butler hangs Dina Merrill's dry-cleaned jacket (or whatever it is) in the closet. Then he peels off the plastic covering and drops it on the floor. He leaves the plastic trash on the floor of the closet and closes the door. He must be a lousy butler. No decent butler would leave trash on the floor of Ms. Merrill's closet.

[@Spiritgumm]

Maybe he left it so she could put her shoes on it if she stepped on dog doo.

[@robwilde855]

It's not HER closet, it's merely one of the casino's ancilary rooms. The garment was a coat for Parke, the gambler, who had just spilled a drink on his own clothes during his first fit of illness. And that was not a butler! We did things differently then - and now, sixty years later - in Europe.

[@vincentmulier853]

@@robwilde855 okay. cool. no worreez.

[@davidweston9115]

Remember the tax rate was 90% at this time. But still, 600K after taxes was enough for 120 new Cadillacs. About $12M today. Amazing. On the other hand, the house where I grew up is now $12M, so as big a number as that seems, it's no more than the price of the home my family owned when I grew up. I am by no means rich.

[@jlkitz1775]

Man, there were some wild formats on T. V. back in the say 😅

[@billstewart9132]

Riveting performances. Top drawer drama.

[@gordonsmith3078]

I was waiting waiting waiting.....................

[@craigfuller1532]

Wow, the way he kissed her chest!

[@0001943]

Dina Merrill, rich, blond and beautiful!

[@Spiritgumm]

yes, she was worth googling. Had an interesting life.

[@coyotedelanube8572]

Her facial features are exquisite. Nose, cheekbones, jawline, brow....... simply exquisite.

[@mariareyna5481]

Humans so predictable, we don't disappoint the outcome

[@jivanvasant]

Thanks for the memories?

[@fritula6200]

Dina Merrill and Cliff Robertson we married or 23 years.

[@N.o_e.1-23]

Are there anymore episodes? I'm looking for season 4.

[@tracywilliams7929]

Yes there are. All on KZbin. 😊

[@scvandy3129]

I was surprised how much I liked and appreciated 'The Game' because movies and TV shows with endless gambling / card games' scenes tax the viewers' patience. Yet here, on ONE SET, Sydney Pollack's ("Tootsie," "The Way We Were," "Out of Africa," "Absence of Malice") mastery of the art of direction held tight our attention. The plot was not cliched with 1) the various smart (at gambling), cultured French taking advantage of the rube American, 2) the blonde goddess 'taking him for every nickel,' 3) the novice gambler getting WAY AHEAD and then actually quitting; the smart move; 4) the bullying loudmouth (Nehemiah Persoff) and the mild American (Cliff Robertson) coming to blows; the plot's hero (Robertson) and 'the girl' (Dina Merrill) ended up in bed [ed. - although were it not for the boisterous intrusion of Persoff and his mistreated 'date' that changed EVERYTHING in Act IV, that could very well have happened. In other words, experienced viewers were lead to ponder "okay, who's gonna rip Robertson off -- 'the overly-friendly, wise local' Maurice Evans, 'the beauty' Dina Merrill, 'the bully' Nehemiah Persoff or 'the house'? 'how much is he gonna lose; EVERYTHING?' "Thanks a million [francs], 'Spiritgumz,' for this great hour."

[@suraya1224]

Still gushing? Nope, I still say, not one of the best episodes. (I know, "eff myself", as you've so classily said elsewhere, bcs I dare to hv a different opinion than the egomaniacal narc, scvandy3129. I'm not impressed, not by Pollack, the movies you've cited, this episode, or you.) 😄

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining. 1st episode of this series I've ever seen-!!!🤔. Thoroughly enjoying my 1st episode-!!!🤗.

[@deacondavis5098]

A complete soundtrack recording including John Williams early scores for television Needs to be released especially his work on Kraft Suspense Theater And Chrysler Theater!