Another Gehrig Portrayal

[Brownie31]

Perhaps some of you are already aware of this, but Gary Cooper and Edward Herrmann were not the only actors to portray Lou Gehrig. On April 19, 1956, Wendell Corey portrayed Lou Gehrig in an episode of CLIMAX!, CBS-TV anthology show. Accoring to the Internet Movie Data Base (www.imdb.com), Jean Hagen appeared as Eleanor Gehrig and Harry Carey, Jr. portrayed Bill Dickey. James Gregory (whom some of you may remember as Inspector Luger on Barney Miller), was also in the show, but his role was not identified. I realize it is a long, long shot, but has anyone ever seen this program? Brownie31

[Captain Cold Nose]

That sounds pretty interesting. I've never even heard of that show. Did it last very long? Was there a host/producer, like Rod Serling.
I'd like to see Harry Carey Jr as a baseball player. I've only seen him in westerns.

[Brownie31]

That sounds pretty interesting. I've never even heard of that show. Did it last very long? Was there a host/producer, like Rod Serling.
I'd like to see Harry Carey Jr as a baseball player. I've only seen him in westerns.

Captain Cold Nose: Per IMDB, it ran from 1954-58 and was hosted by William Lundigan & Mary Costa. Another interesting trivia note, on Oct. 21, 1954, the Climax episode was "Casino Royale" starring Barry Nelson as James Bond and co-starring Peter Lorre. In this episode Bond was an American agent and was called Jimmy Bond! A friend of mine has a vhs of that episode, so maybe somewhere one exists of the Gehrig one. The Harry Carey Jr angle is interesting, I have also only seen him in westerns. Maybe a copy will turn up! Brownie31

[Brownie31]

Found!

I have found a copy of the 1956 Climax! Lou Gehrig program on eBay! It was listed under Climax! April 19, 1956. The VHS should be arrive in about 1-6 days per the seller. From the same seller I also bought a VHS of "Manhattan Merry Go Round" a 1938 movie starring, among others, Joe Dimaggio. Reviews will be forthcoming!-Brownie31

[Brownie31]

Review

After watching the 1956 Climax! "The Lou Gehrig Story", it is this reviewer's opinion that the program is fine as far as the acting goes, but very, very somber in tone.

This is because the program is set in it's interity in the sad year of 1939. Since "The Pride of the Yankess" was a biopic and "Love Affair: The Lou and Eleanor Gehrig Story" was about their eight years of marriage, these productions included light hearted moments as well as the tragic ones.

That said, the acting is superb, as is to be expected from such a first-rate cast. Wendell Corey is solid as Gehrig and Jean Hagen very forceful as the outspoken Eleanor. The western actor Harry Carey, Jr. is a very good choice as Bill Dickey as is James Gregory, who two decades later became known as "Inspector Luger" on "Barney Miller", protraying Yankee manager Joe McCarthy.

Russell Johnson, "The Professor" from "Gilligan's Island", also appears as a hot-headed young pitcher named "Rusty" who rants in the clubhouse about Gehrig's fielding costing him games. The excellent character actor Harry Townes, a staple of 1950s and 1960s TV, portrays a Mayo Clinic doctor.

This being the mid-fifties, the program is black and white which adds to it's somber tone. Climax! was sponsored by Chrysler and the tape featured vintage ads for the car maker. William Lundigan served as emcee for the program, a weekly anthology series a la "The U.S. Steel Hour" and "Armstrong Circle Theatre".

This reviewer would advise watching this program if you get a chance. Just be prepared for it's essential somberness.

Brownie31

[Dudeman]

I will have to check this out.

[Ken Hastings]

Gehrig portrayal

Neal McDonough ("Band of Brothers", "Minority Report" among others) also played Gehrig in a tv movie about Babe Ruth. Pete Rose made a cameo in it. McDonough also was a Mark Fidrych like pitcher in the remake of "Angels in the Outfield".

[Ken Hastings]

Neal McDonough ("Band of Brothers", "Minority Report" among others) also played Gehrig in a tv movie about Babe Ruth. Pete Rose made a cameo in it. McDonough also was a Mark Fidrych like pitcher in the remake of "Angels in the Outfield".

I realized after I posted I should've made it clear that the cameo of Pete Rose was not as himself.

[Brownie31]

I realized after I posted I should've made it clear that the cameo of Pete Rose was not as himself.

Ken Hastings: That is an excellent movie. Stephen Lang is terrific as the Babe. I have been trying with no luck to find a copy.-Brownie31

[Captain Cold Nose]

Ken Hastings: That is an excellent movie. Stephen Lang is terrific as the Babe. I have been trying with no luck to find a copy.-Brownie31

I know it has appeared on one of the Encore cable channels from time to time.

[Brownie31]

I will have to check this out.

Dudeman: A copy is available on eBay for $19.95 plus $6.00 shipping. It is a vhs copy as is the one I bought. Type in Climax! (April 19, 1956). It is a "buy it now" item. Good luck! Brownie31

[Brownie31]

I know it has appeared on one of the Encore cable channels from time to time.

Thanks very much Captain Cold Nose! We have Encore, it is probably the true story channel. Thanks again! Brownie31

[skeletor]

climax program

sounds interesting...wonder if it will ever come out on DVD ? saw
the barry nelson '007' episode, some years ago..very low budget,
and nothing like what Bond ended up..i.e. connery-lazenby-moore-
dalton-bronsan-and upcoming-daniel lewis..

[wamby]

sounds interesting...wonder if it will ever come out on DVD ? saw
the barry nelson '007' episode, some years ago..very low budget,
and nothing like what Bond ended up..i.e. connery-lazenby-moore-
dalton-bronsan-and upcoming-daniel lewis..

The new Bond is Daniel Craig.