''The Old Man Who Cried Wolf'' is a 1970 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

thriller film Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre ...

directed by

Walter Grauman Walter E. Grauman (March 17, 1922 – March 20, 2015) was an American director of stage shows, films and television shows. Early life Grauman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Jacob and Irene Grauman, both children of German immigrants who ...

and starring Edward G. Robinson,

Martin Balsam Martin Henry Balsam (November 4, 1919 – February 13, 1996) was an American actor. He had a prolific career in character roles in film, in theatre, and on television. An early member of the Actors Studio, he began his career on the New Yo ...

and

Diane Baker Diane Carol Baker is an American actress, producer and educator who has appeared in motion pictures and on television since 1959. Early life Baker was born in 1938 at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California a ...

. It originally aired as the ''

ABC Movie of the Week ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

'' on October 13, 1970.

Plot

Robinson portrays an elderly man who witnesses the murder of a friend.

Cast

* Edward G. Robinson as Emile Pulska *

as Stanley Pulska *

as Peggy Pulska *

Ruth Roman Ruth Roman (born Norma Roman; December 22, 1922 – September 9, 1999) was an American actress of film, stage, and television. After playing stage roles on the east coast, Roman relocated to Hollywood to pursue a career in films. She appeare ...

as Lois *

Percy Rodrigues Percy Rodriguez (born Percy Rodrigues; June 13, 1918 – September 6, 2007) was a Canadian actor who appeared in many television shows and films from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was of Afro-Portuguese heritage and was born in the Saint-Henri neig ...

as Frank Jones *

Sam Jaffe Shalom "Sam" Jaffe (March 10, 1891 – March 24, 1984) was an American actor, teacher, musician, and engineer. In 1951, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in '' The Asphalt Jungle'' (1950) and ap ...

as Abe Stillman *

Edward Asner Eddie Asner (; November 15, 1929 – August 29, 2021) was an American actor and former president of the Screen Actors Guild. He is best remembered for portraying Lou Grant during the 1970s and early 1980s, on both ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' a ...

as Dr. Morheim * Martin E. Brooks as Hudson F. Ewing * Jay C. Flippen as Pawnbroker

Production

Robinson described it as "a most rewarding experience, one which I thoroughly enjoyed". Writer

Luther Davis Luther Berryhill Davis (August 29, 1916 – July 29, 2008) was an American playwright and screenwriter. Early life an education Davis was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1934 and received a bachelor of a ...

adapted the movie from a story by Arnold Horwitt.Roberts, Jerry
Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors
p. 210 (2009) ("Davis also adapted ''The Old Man Who Cried Wolf'' from an Arnold Horwitt story about two senior citizens who are attacked.")

Reception

The film was very well received by critics. Robinson's performance was critically acclaimed and was suggested for awards. It was the seventh most-watched primetime program in the United States for the week upon its debut.(29 October 1970)
Welby still No. 1
''

Arizona Republic ''The Arizona Republic'' is an American daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. Copies are sold at $2 daily or at $3 ...

, p.20 The ''Hollywood Reporter'' called Robinson's performance "strong and moving". The ''Los Angeles Times'' said Robinson's performance was "filled with skill and nuance" but the film "broke your heart by being a cop out of what it might have been."TV REVIEW: Edward G. Robinson Featured in 'Wolf' Los Angeles Times 14 Oct 1970: e19.

References

External links

* 1970 television films 1970 films 1970s thriller films ABC Movie of the Week Films produced by Aaron Spelling Films directed by Walter Grauman American thriller television films 1970s American films {{US-tv-thriller-film-stub