''Thursday's Game'' (also known as ''The Berk'') is a 1974 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

starring

Gene Wilder Gene Wilder (born Jerome Silberman; June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016) was an American actor, comedian, writer, and filmmaker. He was mainly known for his comedic roles, including his portrayal of Willy Wonka in ''Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Fa ...

and

Bob Newhart George Robert Newhart (September 5, 1929 – July 18, 2024) was an American comedian and actor. Newhart was known for his deadpan and stammering delivery style. Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian, he transitioned his career to acting in ...

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

, Norman Fell, Cloris Leachman, Valerie Harper,

Rob Reiner Robert Reiner (born March 6, 1947) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and liberal activist. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence with the role of Michael Stivic, Mike "Meathead" Stivic on the CBS sitc ...

, 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 Poker is a family of Card game#Comparing games, comparing card games in which Card player, players betting (poker), wager over which poker hand, hand is best according to that specific game's rules. It is played worldwide, with varying rules i ...

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 *

as Marvin Ellison *

as Lynn Evers * Cloris Leachman 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 English-language comedy films English-language buddy comedy films