|
|
|
Run For Your Life
Starring Ben Gazzara
Episode:
Tell It Like It Is
|
|
To contact us, click Homepage link above
|
Synopsis: Against Paul's advice, distinguished jurist Taliaferro Wilson (Franchot Tone) goes on the sensationalist talk show of scandal-monger host Jerry Haines (James Daly) with horrendous consequences for both men. With Joan Huntington as Jennifer Hale, Michael Strong as Lieutenant Decker, Jackie Coogan Jr. as Don Chapman, Lenore Kingston as Arlene Wilenski, Quinn Redeker as Dr. Ed Gilray, Carl Byrd as the Stenographer, Bob Harvey as Fred, Will J. White as the Usher, David Kurzon as the Man in Audience, Michael Guarini as the Head Waite
|
Episode 70
Season 3 - #10
First broadcast on
November 15, 1967
Written by Shirl Hendryx
Directed by Ben Gazzara
|
SEE INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS OF ENTIRE CAST AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
and watch a video clip from the episode on the same page!
Creative Team
Producer
Paul Freeman
Music
Pete Rugolo
Director of Photography
William Margulies A.S.C.
Art Director
Robert MacKichan
Film Editor
Nick Archer
Unit Manager
Donald Baer
Assistant Director
Carl J. Bellamy
Set Decorators
John McCartey &
Robert C. Bradfield
Sound
Carl Crain Jr.
Color Coordinator
Robert Brower
Color by Technicolor
Editorial Dept. Head
Richard Belding
Musical Supervisor
Stanley Wilson
Costume by Grady Hunt
Makeup
Bud Westmore
Hair Stylist
Larry Germain
Assistant to Producer
Steve Heilpern
Links to Other Episodes
|
|
Jerry Haines is shot
|
The Plot
Jerry Haines is host of a banal but popular nationally syndicated TV talk show where he takes calls in front of a live audience, and insults those who phone in, often calling them ignorant, but many of his studio guests have fringe ideas. Returning hone after a show, in the parking garage of his apartment, he is shot many times. Paul is woken up in the middle of the night, and summoned to see police Lieutenant Decker at the hospital where Haines is being treated. Decker informs Paul that Haines has been asking for him.
|
|
Paul records his statement for the police
|
The doctor comes out of Haines' room, and says he's given the patient a sedative that will make him sleep eight hours, so he won't be able to speak to Paul. That being the case, Decker declares that he wants Paul to go to police headquarters and make a statement. As far as Decker is concerned, Paul is the prime suspect in the shooting. At the station Paul records his statement, indicating that he arrived the previous day from Copenhagen, and the former law partner who picked him up at the airport informed him that a good friend and associate, Judge Taliaferro Wilson, was going to appear on Haines TV show.
|
|
The judge is delighted to see Paul
|
The judge greeted Paul with affection, and showed him his new book which Paul had already read. He expressed alarm that the judge planned appearing on “Tell It Like It Is,” the Jerry Haines show, to publicize it, but his friend claimed the program to be harmless nonsense, and Haines had already indicated how much he liked Wilson's book.
Paul pointed out that the show was a modern version of the Roman Coliseum, with distinguished guests like himself usually ripped apart by the host, but the judge felt he was more than capable of handling Haines and his like.
|
|
Paul points out the dangers of Haines' show
|
While Paul continued to protest vehemently about Haines arsenal of lies, half-truths, innuendo and scandal, the judge joked that, at his age, he wished that he did have some scandalous affairs to look back on in fond memory.
Paul felt deeply hurt that his message was not getting across to a man whom he respected so much. But though he remained confident, and pointed out the importance of the show for turning his book into a best seller, the judge nevertheless asked Paul to accompany him to the show.
|
|
Jennifer reassures the judge before the show
|
The two arrived at the studio when the program was already on, and Jerry Haines was insulting his callers with common jibes and remarks about “a full moon tonight” bringing out odd people and little old ladies. After meeting Paul's assistant, Jennifer Hale, Paul attempted to speak to Haines and establish some ground rules for the judge's interview, but Jennifer stated Haines wouldn't break his concentration while the show was on. Paul insisted that Haines would talk to him. To Jennifer's question whether they were old friends, Paul replied, “old enemies.”
|
|
Haines offers the judge a cordial welcome
|
Reassuring the judge that Haines loved his book, Jennifer arranged for Paul to have a seat in the audience, and took the judge away to go on stage.
After more insults to a member of his studio audience, Haines introduced Judge Wilson, said it was an honor to have him on the program, and complimented his book.
Then he began to concentrate on Taliaferro Wilson's career as a criminal trial lawyer, in particular a murder case he lost, asking why the jury voted for conviction.
|
|
Haines accuses Wilson of being drunk at a trial
|
Pleasant to his guest up to this point, Haines suddenly took up a new tack, saying that Wilson's client went to the gas chamber because his lawyer was drunk the night before his summation, and could barely stand when giving it.
Haines even got applause from the audience for “telling it like it is.” At this point Paul jumped from his seat, and went to the front of the audience to protest. Having assisted Wilson at the trial, Paul declared that no one was drunk at any point in the prosecution.
|
|
"You're a liar," Paul shouts
|
But Haines dismissed Paul as a friend of Wilson's, and therefore, not objective.
When Paul called Haines a liar, the host accused him of trying to build a smoke screen for Judge Wilson to hide behind. Paul's microphone was then shut off, and he was escorted back to his seat.
Taliaferro Wilson refuted the charge once more, and Haines then produced an affidavit from individuals who stated that he was drinking until late the night before the summation.
|
|
Haines presents an affidavit for his casei
|
Wilson read the document, and said they were only vague recollections, but Haines then presented a traffic ticket for the night in question, saying it was for drunk driving.
Though the judge pointed out that the ticket didn't mention drunk driving, only unsafe lane changing, Haines made a joke about weaving through traffic on cherry soda that has his audience in hysterics. The judge started to get up and leave, but Haines made him sit down, and asked him to answer the charges, then made Wilson look like a fool when he said nothing.
|
|
Paul says he's offering Haines a favor
|
After the show Haines was gloating to Jennifer at a restaurant about how beautifully things went when Paul approached his table. Both greeted one another pleasantly, and Haines ordered a drink for his guest, telling him that he was great on the show, lending the perfect touch of righteous indignation to the program before Haines went for the judge's jugular.
When Haines said he hoped Paul wasn't sore, Paul amiably replied that he wasn't, and had combed a half dozen restaurants just to do the TV host a favor.
|
|
Haines says he doesn't need to make a retraction
|
The favor he was offering Haines was the opportunity to make a retraction on the next night's show.
Haines responded that he didn't have to make a retraction, since he wasn't wrong, but Paul insisted that Wilson wasn't drunk at the trial. Haines declared that he couldn't accept Paul's word on the subject, and didn't need to.
If he didn't, Paul told him, he would represent the judge in a slander suit against Haines for five million dollars.
|
|
Haines is unmoved by Paul's remarks
|
The broadcaster remained unperturbed, saying that things had changed since the days Paul used to try and get him thrown out of the court house for his reportage, adding that millions of people now hung on his every word. Paul dismissed Haines' claims, and answered that real success was what Judge Wilson had achieved. The TV host countered that the appearance on his show would mean massive sales of the judge's book, but Paul replied that would mean nothing to him after tonight, his reputation being the most precious thing he owned
|
|
Paul says he'll take Haines apart in court
|
Haines remained adamant about the retraction, adding that no one ever won any of the many slander suits against him.
“Who said anything about winning?” Paul responded with a smile, adding, “we played in your ball park tonight, but I'm going to get you in court, and that's my arena. We may not win the case, Jerry, but I'm going to get you on the stand, and take you apart, with the newspapers getting every bit of it - and loving it. All those viewers hanging on your every word, I'm going to show them what a clown you really are.”
|
|
Haines makes a drive for Paul
|
At that point Haines angrily made a drive at Paul, who sidestepped or pushed the broadcaster, causing him to fall on the floor. The head waiter rushed over to see what's the matter, and Paul told him, “no trouble, Mr. Haines just fell on his face.” Paul rose to go, and repeated that Haines should think about his proposal, or he would take him apart, piece by piece.”
Paul concludes his statement by saying that he walked around for a while after leaving the restaurant, and then went back to his hotel and fell asleep, only to be awakened by the policeman.
|
|
Decker questions Paul about the judge
|
Answering questions from Lt. Decker , Paul says that the judge was shattered following the program, and that after taking him home, Paul gave him a sedative and left him to sleep.
The Lieutenant then rings the judge, but although awake and looking destroyed, Wilson doesn't answer the phone.
Paul goes back to his hotel room, and is there only a moment when to his surprise, and believing his friend to still be sleeping off the effects of the sedative, Judge Wilson knocks at his door.
|
|
Paul lets his friend into the room
|
As Paul shepherds him into the room, the judge tells his friend that he is confused and uncertain what to do.
He says that Paul knows that he might have been tired, but was never drunk during the trial he lost.
Paul agrees, and then the judge tells him that the previous night, he waited for Jerry Haines to come home - and shot him.
When he gets over the shock, Paul informs his friend that Haines is alive, and will be taken off the critical list that afternoon.
|
|
The judge tells his story
|
The judge remains dazzled, and can't understand how, after basing his whole life on law and ethics, he could have done such an awful thing. Paul asks him to tell what he remembers, and the judge relates that the sedative didn't make him sleep, and at some point, he didn't know when, he got up and took a never-used gun from a drawer, and went walking for a long time, eventually finding himself in the garage of Jerry Haines apartment building. Never believing he could use the weapon, when Haines stepped out of his car, the judge fired numerous times at him - feeling like another person watching himself.
|
|
Paul makes the judge promise to rest
|
Mesmerized, the judge keeps asking how he could do such a terrible thing, his words finally cut off by the phone, and Decker advising that Haines is conscious, and able to speak with Paul. He makes the judge promise to lie down and rest in his room, then leaves for the hospital. Wilson agrees, and asks Paul to tell the police that he will be in shortly to make a full statement about his actions the previous night.
When Paul enters Haines' hospital room with Decker, Jennifer is there, and he tells Paul that he's feeling fine, and expects to be back on the air the following week.
|
|
Decker wants to stay while Haines talks to Paul
|
Decker is very friendly, and insists on speaking with Paul outside the detective's hearing. Decker is not agreeable, saying that there's nothing private about a felony, but when he promises to cooperate fully as soon as he's spoken with Paul, Decker relents and leaves.
Haines asks Paul if he knows why he was summoned, and Paul shakes his head. The broadcaster says it's because he wants to see the look on Paul's face when he reveals his assailant to be Judge Wilson. Paul doesn't react except to ask what else Haines wanted to tell him.
|
|
Haines says he's going to let the judge off
|
The TV host responds that he's going to let the judge off by looking at all the mug books, and saying that he couldn't find the man who shot him, but declares that he wanted Paul to know who the attacker was, so he'll know how wrong he's been. When Paul just stares at him, giving Haines no satisfaction, Haines repeats that he's stated he's going to let the judge off, and not send him to prison. Finally Paul answers, asking if that's the way Haines is going to try and wipe what he did off his conscious with a big gesture, and make Paul believe that he was wrong about the broadcaster all along.
|
|
Haines hears that the judge is going to tell it like it is
|
“Well you missed,” says Paul angrily, moving forward, and telling Haines that he still only adds up to zero, his phony gesture being worth nothing.
With satisfaction Paul adds that Judge Wilson will be going shortly to the police, “and he's going to tell it like it is!”
Haines is taken aback, and doesn't think that would be very smart, repeating again that he's going to keep silent. Paul says that's a deal the judge wouldn't appreciate, knowing what he's done and that he will have to stand trial.
|
|
Paul says he's going to expose Haines in court
|
“Now I'm going to give you a little legal lesson,” Paul adds, “the best defence in a trial is to attack. Judge Wilson's going to be on trial, but so will you. The real you. It will all be in the legal record now - the way you tell it like it is. The kind of liar you are - the worst kind - a public liar. And when it's over, I don't think anybody's going to buy a Jerry Haines at any price. So I think you'd better start looking for a rock to crawl under.
Haines reaches out and slaps Paul in the face. Paul waits a moment, then says that he's going to let that assault pass as Haines has enough trouble.
|
|
Paul tells Decker the judge will make a statement
|
Walking out of the room then, Paul meets Lt. Decker in the hall. The detective asks what Haines was so keen to tell Paul, and he replies, “that everybody's got him wrong, and he's really a nice guy.”
Paul then tells Decker that Judge Wilson will be coming in to see him to confess to shooting Haines. When the Lieutenant asks if Paul will be defending him,
he confirms that and says their official plea will be not guilty, to make sure that the case goes to trial, and Paul can get Haines on the stand.
|
|
Haines screams of anger turn into a roar
|
Jennifer puts on her coat, and when Jerry asks where she's going, she replies, “I thought you knew, Jerry, I only play on winning teams.” Haines begins to scream at her then, and call her names, and after she's left, he begins shouting for the Lieutenant, and ranting away about making a statement. Jennifer makes a caustic remark and goes away, and Decker says to Paul, “I think he's ready to talk. How am I ever going to turn him off?” Decker goes into the room, and Haines begins roaring about seeing Judge Wilson, how the judge shot at him, how he should be picked up, how Lt. Decker should handle the case, then lets out one big roar.
|
|
and watch a video clip from the episode on the same page!
|
Franchot Tone as
Taliaferro Wilson
|
James Daly as
Jerry Haines
|
Joan Huntington
as Jennifer Hale
|
Michael Strong as
Lieutenant Decker
|
Jackie Coogan Jr.
as Don Chapman
|
Lenore Kingston as
Arlene Wilenski
|
|
Quinn Redeker as Dr. Ed Gilray
|
Carl Byrd as
the Stenographer
|
Bob Harvey
as Fred
|
Will J. White
as the Usher
|
David Kurzon as
the Man in Audience
|
Michael Guarini as
the Head Waiter
|
|