Thursday's Game
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Thursday's Game.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| alt_name = The Birk
| caption =
| genre = Comedy
| creator =
| based_on =
| developer =
| writer = James L. Brooks
| screenplay =
| story =
| director = Robert Moore
| starring = Gene Wilder
Ellen Burstyn
Bob Newhart
Cloris Leachman
Nancy Walker
Valerie Harper
Norman Fell
Rob Reiner
Martha Scott
| music = Billy Goldenberg
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_episodes =
| executive_producer =
| producer = James L. Brooks
| editor = Diane Adler
Fredric Steinkamp
| cinematography = Joseph Biroc
| runtime = 100 minutes
| company = ABC Circle Films
| budget =
| network = ABC
| released = {{Start date|1974|04|14}}
}}
Thursday's Game (also known as The Berk) is a 1974 American made-for-television comedy film starring Gene Wilder and Bob Newhart, written by James L. Brooks and directed by Robert Moore. Though filmed in 1971, it was originally broadcast April 14, 1974, on ABC.
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.
Plot
Harry Evers and Marvin Ellison are long time friends 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.
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
- Ric Mancini as Bartender
External links
- {{IMDb title|id=0072289}}
- {{TCMDb title|479312}}
{{James Brooks}}
Category:1974 television films
Category:1970s buddy comedy films
Category:American buddy comedy films
Category:Films set in New York City
Category:Films directed by Robert Moore
Category:Films produced by James L. Brooks
Category:Films scored by Billy Goldenberg
Category:Films with screenplays by James L. Brooks
Category:ABC Motion Pictures films
Category:ABC Movie of the Week
Category:1970s English-language films