Thursday's Game
| Thursday's Game | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Written by | James L. Brooks |
| Directed by | Robert Moore |
| Starring |
Gene Wilder Bob Newhart Ellen Burstyn Valerie Harper |
| Theme music composer | Billy Goldenberg |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | James L. Brooks |
| Cinematography | Joe Biroc |
| Editor(s) |
Diane Adler Fredric Steinkamp |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Production company(s) | ABC Circle Films |
| Distributor | ABC |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | April 14, 1974 |
Thursday's Game (also known as The Berk) is a 1974 American made-for-television comedy film written by James L. Brooks and directed by Robert Moore. Though filmed in 1971, it was originally broadcast April 14, 1974 on ABC.
Synopsis
Gene Wilder and Bob Newhart star as friends Harry Evers and Marvin Ellison who meet each Thursday to play poker and get away from their wives. After the weekly game breaks up over a disagreement, the two men decide to continue meeting for other activities... which leads to friendship and rivalry as the men's lives take on very different paths.
In addition to Wilder and Newhart, Thursday's Game starred many actors familiar to 1970s television viewers including John Archer, Ellen Burstyn, Norman Fell, Cloris Leachman, Valerie Harper, Rob Reiner, Richard Schaal, Martha Scott and Nancy Walker. The film was lauded by critics for its perceptive look at adult relationships, and furthered James L. Brooks's reputation as a writer and producer.
Cast
- Gene Wilder as Harry Evers
- Bob Newhart as Marvin Ellison
- Ellen Burstyn as Lynn Evers
- Cloris Leachman as Lois Ellison
- Martha Scott as Mrs. Reynolds
- Nancy Walker as Mrs. Bender
- Valerie Harper as Ann Menzente
- Rob Reiner as Joel Forester
- Norman Fell as Melvin Leonard