..............NOW WHY WOULD a burly, blue collar and rather gruff retired ex copper like you be reviewing some picture like this? It has everyday type characters that are put through their paces against what surely would be considered to be some very unglamorous scenario in ordinary, working class settings.
WELL THE ANSWER that we must give to Schultz and all the rest of you doubters is a resounding, No! This is far more complex a story than that and cannot be pigeon holed so easily. In fact if one would give it another (or even first) viewing then just what we mean would become apparent.
WE FOUND THIS to be a very compelling story, even at the time of its premier telecast over forty years ago. (My God, Schultz, where has the time gone!) No doubt the reason is that it is well mounted with great scenes, intelligently written and is not a bit pretentious. The story is brought to life by a fine cast which is headed up by Miss Maureen Stapleton (Award Winner) and Mr. Charles Durning.
IT THE INCLUSION of the latter which is what proved to be a surprise in the cast, essentially stealing the show. Although he had perhaps been under-appreciated for his acting skills, he had established the reputation of being the most dependable of supporting players in so many character acting parts.
WITH THIS FILM, a "Made for TV" movie, Charles put himself onto yet another level in his public persona. His skills in bringing off his characterization of Al Green, Letter Carrier, U.S. Postal Department was bolstered by and possibly eclipsed by his skills as a ballroom dancer. Few if any knew that the rather stout physique of his concealed the grace and skills that he had honed up in previous years while working as a dance instructor.
ONCE AGAIN, WE must repeat and cannot overemphasize the wide appeal that this story has. It surely could have been made as a theatrical film; but alas, was relegated to the "lesser" venue of the small screen in our living rooms.
WELL AS EVEN Schultz and myself have come to realize, this was Oscar's loss and Emmy's windfall.
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