I just finished watching this episode for the first time. What an amazing collection of acting's elite in one episode. Watching Herschel Bernardi act opposite Burgess Meredith was such a treat. I grew up hearing Bernardi's voice used SO often in commercial voice-overs. I've been tracking down the actual filming locations for this series and for "Highway Patrol" and this episode was shot within a block or two of one spot. In fact, the building seen in the background of the murder scene is the apartment building where Adam Flint's beautiful girlfriend Libby (Nancy Malone) lived (in the series). Fifty years didn't change the scene of Meredith's death much at all. Even the storm water drain and the crack in the curbstone where he drew his dying breath is still there (thank you Google Earth). Also, I was shocked to see Candace Hilligoss appear in one group shot. This was the same year that she made her starring appearance in "Carnival of Souls".
6 Reviews
What a cast of guest stars! How unfortunate the verbal sophistication is so much a thing of the past
pacificgroove-315-49493126 August 2015
Burgess Meredith and Eileen Heckart give superb performances. Alan Alda is effective in a early role very different from those he's known for. Hershel Bernardi gives a nuanced performance in a role that could have been one dimensional. You can even see the renound acting teacher Sanford Miesner do some acting, though I was underwhelmed by it.
The verbal sophistication and copious amount of poetry used in the script points out how far our popular culture has devolved. There's no way that a TV show or film, made in the last several decades for a popular audience, would dare anything like this.
That's all I have to say, but IMDb requires at least ten lines, so I'm adding this useless verbiage.
The verbal sophistication and copious amount of poetry used in the script points out how far our popular culture has devolved. There's no way that a TV show or film, made in the last several decades for a popular audience, would dare anything like this.
That's all I have to say, but IMDb requires at least ten lines, so I'm adding this useless verbiage.
The last day in the life of Duncan Kleist
sol12181 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** Greenwich Village poet Duncan Kieist,Burgess Meredith, knowing that he doesn't have long to live due to his life long drinking problem tries to get his body of work or poetry mailed to his home town in Iowa to this mysterious person named Gloria Christmas. The problem for Duncan is that he soled his many poems for free drinks at Stanley Dorkner's Greenwich Village bar over the last few years. We see right at the start of this "Naked City" episode what exactly happened to Duncan that caused his untimely, before the booze could finally got to him, death. It's in the police work in finding out how Duncan ended up dead by the ultra sensitive and in touch with his inner feelings NYPD Det. Adam Flint, Paul Burke, that we get to review Duncan miserable life that eventually lead to it!
Duncan wasn't exactly a nice man in his his relationship with his long suffering and emotionally abused spouse or common law wife Mildred, Joan Hackett, whom he treated like garbage and, when she found out that he was dead, didn't exactly shed a tear for him. No one could stand Duncan since he was so into himself, in what a great poet he was, that it was impossible to get friendly or even socially acquainted with him.
***SPOILERS*** It was later that Duncan's fairy tale world of being a great poet and writer fell completely apart! That's when young Greenwhich Village poet Alan Alda exposed Duncan for the fraud that he really was in him plagiarizing other great writers works and attributing them to himself! Still determined to get his now discredited writings without buying that back from who he sold them too bar owner Stanley Drokner played by Herschel, or Hersey Bird on a Wire, Bernardi that in fact turned out to be the final chapter in Duncan Kleist's life.
***SPOILERS*** Burgess Merideth as the lost soul of a man and emotionally disturbed poet who don't know it Duncan Kleist did a great job of acting in playing the over the top and babbling nut case of a poet. But you had trouble following him in what he was saying and up too since he was completely crazy and not in full control of his mental faculties. It was armature psychiatrist and part time social worker Det. Burke who, in his deep sensitivity of the state of human emotions, did realize what Duncan was or did go through in his long and sorry life on earth!
In the end Det. Burke did in fact find the body of work that Duncan stole from Stanley Drokner,who in fact murdered him, from the bottom of a dirty and overflowing Greenwhich Village sewer! That while getting his clean and neatly pressed clothes soiled in recovering it! In the end Det.Burke has a King Solomon like choice to either mail Duncan's writings back to his native Iowa and to this Gloia Christmas, who we later learned was just a fragment of Duncan's wild and crazy imagination, or end up dumping it into the nearest garbage can! And you can take a guess to just which choice, the mail box or garbage can, that Det. Burke choose to deposit Duncan's "Great Work" into!
Duncan wasn't exactly a nice man in his his relationship with his long suffering and emotionally abused spouse or common law wife Mildred, Joan Hackett, whom he treated like garbage and, when she found out that he was dead, didn't exactly shed a tear for him. No one could stand Duncan since he was so into himself, in what a great poet he was, that it was impossible to get friendly or even socially acquainted with him.
***SPOILERS*** It was later that Duncan's fairy tale world of being a great poet and writer fell completely apart! That's when young Greenwhich Village poet Alan Alda exposed Duncan for the fraud that he really was in him plagiarizing other great writers works and attributing them to himself! Still determined to get his now discredited writings without buying that back from who he sold them too bar owner Stanley Drokner played by Herschel, or Hersey Bird on a Wire, Bernardi that in fact turned out to be the final chapter in Duncan Kleist's life.
***SPOILERS*** Burgess Merideth as the lost soul of a man and emotionally disturbed poet who don't know it Duncan Kleist did a great job of acting in playing the over the top and babbling nut case of a poet. But you had trouble following him in what he was saying and up too since he was completely crazy and not in full control of his mental faculties. It was armature psychiatrist and part time social worker Det. Burke who, in his deep sensitivity of the state of human emotions, did realize what Duncan was or did go through in his long and sorry life on earth!
In the end Det. Burke did in fact find the body of work that Duncan stole from Stanley Drokner,who in fact murdered him, from the bottom of a dirty and overflowing Greenwhich Village sewer! That while getting his clean and neatly pressed clothes soiled in recovering it! In the end Det.Burke has a King Solomon like choice to either mail Duncan's writings back to his native Iowa and to this Gloia Christmas, who we later learned was just a fragment of Duncan's wild and crazy imagination, or end up dumping it into the nearest garbage can! And you can take a guess to just which choice, the mail box or garbage can, that Det. Burke choose to deposit Duncan's "Great Work" into!
an old fool tries and fails
commander19589 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Not that we 21st century gluttons need it, but this show has all the answers we should have learned in preschool.
Burgess Meredith plays a ruined poet on the run from NYPD. He is decades into his decline and unredeemable. We are given glimpses that show us his barbarous nobility, his naiveté, his brilliance, self-indulgence, self-loathing and genius. The director jumps around in flashbacks and tells the story that makes you ache to want it. We see several characters he has wronged along the path of his walk to truth and beauty. His impoverished, bitter, tortured wife, who made me want to be a better husband and writer; his editor; his barman; the guy who sells the newspapers; and a generous friend and playboy. All have betrayed him unavoidably and helped him descend the mad ladder he is taking.
We hang on every word, because the actors believe them. Not that the acting is overly dramatic or atypical for early golden days of TV, but it just rings true. Authentic.
He dies in the end, there are several future stars of stage and screen. And every word was sweat over and considered, weighed and judged and found worthy. Are we?
Burgess Meredith plays a ruined poet on the run from NYPD. He is decades into his decline and unredeemable. We are given glimpses that show us his barbarous nobility, his naiveté, his brilliance, self-indulgence, self-loathing and genius. The director jumps around in flashbacks and tells the story that makes you ache to want it. We see several characters he has wronged along the path of his walk to truth and beauty. His impoverished, bitter, tortured wife, who made me want to be a better husband and writer; his editor; his barman; the guy who sells the newspapers; and a generous friend and playboy. All have betrayed him unavoidably and helped him descend the mad ladder he is taking.
We hang on every word, because the actors believe them. Not that the acting is overly dramatic or atypical for early golden days of TV, but it just rings true. Authentic.
He dies in the end, there are several future stars of stage and screen. And every word was sweat over and considered, weighed and judged and found worthy. Are we?
Flashback Sequences like those in CITIZEN KANE or THE GODFATHER, PART II and eXcellent cast makes for a high mark in the Nude Urbanscape series.
redryan6424 April 2008
During its total run, "NAKED CITY" brought us a great variety in both the types of story and the great numbers of fine Actors and Actresses* who appeared in guest starring and supporting or character roles. This episode turns out to be an unexpected pleasure in presenting for our approval and entertainment a cast with names such as: Guest Stars- Burgess Meredith, Herschel Bernardi and Eileen Heckart: all from the Broadway Stage.
As if this weren't enough, added to that; we have a super array of supporting thespians to boot. This one hour contains fine examples of the early work of Richard Castellano (Clemenza in THE GODFATHER), Alan Alda ('member him, Schultz?), Jessica Walter, Robert Dryden and Lou Gilbert.
In addition, the writer, director and production team opted for the extensive use of flashbacks in telling the story of pride, eccentricity and murder in the ever so slightly off beat artistic community. We bear witness to otherwise the most 'civilized' of people behaving in the most base manner over the most simple little things and for the most petty of reasons. Gee, if that's not realism, what is?
Much like what is arguably the All-Time greatest of sequels in THE GODFATHER, PART II** (Paramount, 1973); the on screen story bounces back and forth between the present, on-going Criminal Investigation being conducted by Detective Adam Flint (Paul Burke) and Sergeant Arcaro (Harry Bellaver) and the previous incidents that led up to the Homicide. In effect, we learn the jig-saw puzzle tips & clues at the same time that the pair of Gumshoes learns the facts from witnesses interviewed.
This episode may not seem to be spectacular, nor is it a candidate for a "typical" sampling of installments; and yet, it manages to stand out in our minds. Perhaps it is the very simplicity and almost absurd events leading to the killing. Putting it in the community of artists, non conformists and their wannabees adds to the effect; for this Greenwich Village locale has long been known for being in a little world all of its own! Can you say 'BEATNIK?"
As a matter of being one of those odder than odd occurrences was born in this episode when the opening sequence has Poet Duncan Kleist (Mr. Burgess Meredith) stopping at the News Stand and having words with the proprietor (Lou Gilbert). Quite by accident, we're sure the cover of a certain publication is very visible and recognizable in several different shots. It is the cover the Marvel Comics title, "Amazing Fantasy", Number 15, dated August, 1962. Although this was the last issue for that particular title, it served to introduce the heretofore unknown Character to the world; that being Teen-Ager, Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man, in his Origin and First Appearance. He was also featured on this cover, big as life. You cannot miss it.
And inasmuch as the date on the Comic Book reads "Aug.", that means that the filming was probably done in June. Man, June in New York and a Comic Book now worth mucho lot$ of dollar$! It just doesn't get any better, Schultz!
NOTE: * We prefer to use the terms of "Actors" and "Actresses"; even though the Mother Tongue would have been satisfied with just the use of the Masculine Form (Actors), we prefer to distinguish the differences between the Male & Female Sexes. Viva la Difference! Besides, we just love to aggravate the Politically Correct crowd! After all, these are the people who never seem to be happy with how people (especially Women) are called. For Example, where a separate set of similar word exists for Women and Men in doing the same job, e.g., Comedian (Man) and Comedienne (Woman); the Political Correctness Thought & Speech Police insist on our scrapping the Feminine form and go with the universally accepted Masculine. However, if the situation is reversed and we already have the Masculine in common usage with no Feminine version, the Politically Correct create one; hence, terms like Congressman, Chairman and Mankind have recently also become Congresswoman, Chairwoman (or the Neuter Chairperson) and Humankind. Yaw jest can not plenum! So, don't even try!
NOTE: ** Remember, Schultz, this series pre-dated THE GODFATHER Saga by more than a Decade!
POODLE SCHNITZ!!
As if this weren't enough, added to that; we have a super array of supporting thespians to boot. This one hour contains fine examples of the early work of Richard Castellano (Clemenza in THE GODFATHER), Alan Alda ('member him, Schultz?), Jessica Walter, Robert Dryden and Lou Gilbert.
In addition, the writer, director and production team opted for the extensive use of flashbacks in telling the story of pride, eccentricity and murder in the ever so slightly off beat artistic community. We bear witness to otherwise the most 'civilized' of people behaving in the most base manner over the most simple little things and for the most petty of reasons. Gee, if that's not realism, what is?
Much like what is arguably the All-Time greatest of sequels in THE GODFATHER, PART II** (Paramount, 1973); the on screen story bounces back and forth between the present, on-going Criminal Investigation being conducted by Detective Adam Flint (Paul Burke) and Sergeant Arcaro (Harry Bellaver) and the previous incidents that led up to the Homicide. In effect, we learn the jig-saw puzzle tips & clues at the same time that the pair of Gumshoes learns the facts from witnesses interviewed.
This episode may not seem to be spectacular, nor is it a candidate for a "typical" sampling of installments; and yet, it manages to stand out in our minds. Perhaps it is the very simplicity and almost absurd events leading to the killing. Putting it in the community of artists, non conformists and their wannabees adds to the effect; for this Greenwich Village locale has long been known for being in a little world all of its own! Can you say 'BEATNIK?"
As a matter of being one of those odder than odd occurrences was born in this episode when the opening sequence has Poet Duncan Kleist (Mr. Burgess Meredith) stopping at the News Stand and having words with the proprietor (Lou Gilbert). Quite by accident, we're sure the cover of a certain publication is very visible and recognizable in several different shots. It is the cover the Marvel Comics title, "Amazing Fantasy", Number 15, dated August, 1962. Although this was the last issue for that particular title, it served to introduce the heretofore unknown Character to the world; that being Teen-Ager, Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man, in his Origin and First Appearance. He was also featured on this cover, big as life. You cannot miss it.
And inasmuch as the date on the Comic Book reads "Aug.", that means that the filming was probably done in June. Man, June in New York and a Comic Book now worth mucho lot$ of dollar$! It just doesn't get any better, Schultz!
NOTE: * We prefer to use the terms of "Actors" and "Actresses"; even though the Mother Tongue would have been satisfied with just the use of the Masculine Form (Actors), we prefer to distinguish the differences between the Male & Female Sexes. Viva la Difference! Besides, we just love to aggravate the Politically Correct crowd! After all, these are the people who never seem to be happy with how people (especially Women) are called. For Example, where a separate set of similar word exists for Women and Men in doing the same job, e.g., Comedian (Man) and Comedienne (Woman); the Political Correctness Thought & Speech Police insist on our scrapping the Feminine form and go with the universally accepted Masculine. However, if the situation is reversed and we already have the Masculine in common usage with no Feminine version, the Politically Correct create one; hence, terms like Congressman, Chairman and Mankind have recently also become Congresswoman, Chairwoman (or the Neuter Chairperson) and Humankind. Yaw jest can not plenum! So, don't even try!
NOTE: ** Remember, Schultz, this series pre-dated THE GODFATHER Saga by more than a Decade!
POODLE SCHNITZ!!
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