''Thursday's Game'' (also known as ''The Berk'') is a 1974 American made-for-television

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending ( black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the o ...

starring

Gene Wilder Jerome Silberman (June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016), known professionally as Gene Wilder, was an American actor, comedian, writer and filmmaker. He is known mainly for his comedic roles, but also for his portrayal of Willy Wonka in ''Willy Won ...

and Bob Newhart, written by

James L. Brooks James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is an American director, producer, screenwriter and co-founder of Gracie Films. His television and film work includes ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'', ''Taxi'', ''The Simpsons'', '' Broadcast News'', ''As G ...

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 Ellen Burstyn (born Edna Rae Gillooly; December 7, 1932) is an American actress. Known for her portrayals of complicated women in dramas, she is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two Primetime Em ...

, Norman Fell,

Cloris Leachman Cloris Leachman (April 30, 1926 – January 27, 2021) was an American actress and comedian whose career spanned nearly eight decades. She won many accolades, including eight Primetime Emmy Awards from 22 nominations, making her the most nomina ...

, Valerie Harper,

Rob Reiner Robert Norman Reiner (born March 6, 1947) is an American actor and filmmaker. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence with the role of Michael "Meathead" Stivic on the CBS sitcom '' All in the Family'' (1971–1979), a performa ...

Richard Schaal Richard Schaal (; May 5, 1928 – November 4, 2014) was an American film and television actor born in Chicago, Illinois. Career In 1962, Schaal joined Chicago's famed Second City, becoming skilled in sketch and improvisational comedy. H ...

, 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 Poker is a family of comparing card games in which players wager over which hand is best according to that specific game's rules. It is played worldwide, however in some places the rules may vary. While the earliest known form of the game wa ...

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

as Harry Evers * Bob Newhart as Marvin Ellison *

as Lynn Evers *

as Lois Ellison * Martha Scott as Mrs. Reynolds * Nancy Walker as Mrs. Bender * Valerie Harper as Ann Menzente *

as Joel Forester * Norman Fell as Melvin Leonard * Ric Mancini as Bartender

External links

* * * {{James Brooks 1974 television films 1974 films 1970s buddy comedy films American buddy comedy films Films set in New York City Films directed by Robert Moore Films produced by James L. Brooks Films scored by Billy Goldenberg Films with screenplays by James L. Brooks ABC Motion Pictures films ABC Movie of the Week 1970s English-language films 1970s American films