Product Details

• Actors: Jack Palance, Keenan Wynn, Kim Hunter, Ed Wynn, Young Jack Johnson
• Directors: Ralph Nelson
• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Rhino / Wea
• VHS Release Date: September 22, 1993
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000005YSI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,209 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Made for TV movies -- ever, December 2, 2000

By 

S. Carmichael "soarjean" (a mountain in the south) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playhouse 90 - Requiem for a Heavyweight [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This little masterpiece was written by Rod Serling and nicely underacted by Jack Palance whose young, but craggy face is perfect for this story of a boxer whose career is over and who knows no other skills, no other life. Kim Hunter, as a social worker who interviews him for the unemployment office, is moved by the fact that he asks no sympathy. He just wants a job, something she can't give him since none of his skills will work in the normal world. It's a simple story, subtly told -- maybe because of the time limits and space -- never trying to wring your heart, not overtly anyway, but doing it with simple statements and artistry. The Wynns, father and son, also have a couple of powerful scenes, battles of conscience. Watch it, it's a winner.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Knockout Teleplay, January 14, 2007

By 

Breyel (MALAYSIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playhouse 90 - Requiem for a Heavyweight [VHS] (VHS Tape)

There are two versions of Rod Serling's (creator/writer for the original Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection) "Requiem For A Heavyweight": The Playhouse 90 live TV performance starring Jack Palance, Ed Wynn, Keenan Wynn and Kim Hunter; the other is the movie Requiem for a Heavyweight starring Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Micky Rooney and Julie Harris.

My personal preference is the Playhouse 90 - Requiem for a Heavyweight version that aired on TV in 1956. The acting is incredibly believable for a live performance. Jack Palance as Harlan 'Mountain' McClintock looks the part of a battered prize-fighter, but with a thoughtfulness and sensitivity one would not think of a pugilist. Ed Wynn as Army, the trainer, delivers a dramatic performance surprisingly not expected for someone more famous for his comedic roles. And his son, Keenan Wynn as Maish, is equal to the task as a desperate and opportunistic manager. Likewise Kim Hunter puts in a fine portrayal as the compassionate social worker who takes a genuine interest in finding a new career for Mountain McClintock. These actors breathe such warmth and humanity into this brilliantly scripted play, it is little wonder Serling went on to win accolades for it.

An interesting footnote about the Playhouse 90 version is that Ed Wynn was terrified of `serious' acting and kept goofing his lines in rehearsal. When the producers wanted to fire him, Jack Palance said he would quit if they replaced Ed Wynn. On live broadcast night, Wynn surprised everyone with his pitch-perfect performance, and his quick ad libs to cover his mistakes. Rod Serling, an admirer of Wynn's work, went on to use his talents in a Twilight Zone episode -- The Twilight Zone: Vol. 14.

Regrettably this wonderful performance has not been transferred to DVD.Hopefully when it debuts in DVD format, the murky images and scratches will be removed and the sound improved from the VHS version. This is a truly a masterpiece to add to any film buff's library.

Post-script 17 September 2010:
This version of Requiem for a Heavyweight can now be found on The Golden Age of Television (The Criterion Collection). In addition to Requiem for a Heavyweight, the DVD set includes the classic TV performances of Marty, No Time for Sergeants, Bang the Drum Slowly, Days of Wine and Roses, A Wind from the South, The Comedian, and Patterns. I have this DVD and it is superb, considering the transfer to DVD is from the original kinescope format. I HIGHLY recommend the set.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Requiem for a Heavyweight, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Playhouse 90 - Requiem for a Heavyweight [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A superb story technically executed to a "T". A live television director myself in an age of palm-sized camcorders, this piece of live television was produced in a time when cameras were goliaths and live television was like a trip to space. If it were done today, I would write a similar review. The fact that it was made in 1956 is mindblowing. Check it out.