The Judge and His Hangman (Studio One)
9th episode of the 8th season of Studio One
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"The Judge and His Hangman" is an episode of the CBS television anthology series Studio One consisting of an hour-long adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1950 novel of the same name. The episode was first broadcast November 14, 1955. Adapted by Dick Berg and directed by William H. Brown Jr.,[1] the episode starred Kurt Kasznar, Charles Korvin, and Luis Van Rooten.[2]
| "The Judge and His Hangman" | |
|---|---|
| Studio One episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 8 Episode 9 |
| Directed by | William H. Brown Jr. |
| Written by | Dick Berg |
| Based on | |
| Original air date | November 14, 1955 |
Cast
Credits derived from November 12, 1955 issue of TV Guide's Chicago Edition.[3]
- Barlach – Kurt Kasznar
- Gastmann - Charles Korvin
- Laszlo - Herbert Berghof
- Tschantz – Jamie Smith
- Von Schwendi – George Voskovec
- Lutz – Luis Van Rooten
Premise
In Bern, Switzerland, the deceptively low-key commissioner of police announces that the mystery surrounding the death of a fellow officer has been solved. Exactly how this solution was reached is revealed through a series of flashbacks.[3]
Reception
Both Ben Gross of the New York Daily News and Post-Gazette TV writer Win Fanning praised Berg's adaptation, but Fanning found it especially valuable as a showcase for Kasznar's "immeasurable talent."[4][5] Likewise, Hartford Courant critic George Tashman valued, first and foremost, "Kasznar's diabolical portrayal," while deeming the production overall, "an unpleasant little drama [featuring a] highly contrived plot [and] dozens of fluffed lines, [yet one made] enjoyable [by] the acting of Kasznar, Luis van Rooten as the minister of police, and Charles Korvin as Gastmann."[2]
See also
- End of the Game, 1975 theatrical film based on the same novel