Thursday's Game

*Thursday's Game*
Thursday's Game
Also known as	The Birk
Genre	Comedy
Written by	James L. Brooks
Directed by	Robert Moore
Starring	Gene Wilder; Ellen Burstyn; Bob Newhart; Cloris Leachman; Nancy Walker; Valerie Harper; Norman Fell; Rob Reiner; Martha Scott
Music by	Billy Goldenberg
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producer	James L. Brooks
Cinematography	Joseph Biroc
Editors	Diane Adler; Fredric Steinkamp
Running time	100 minutes
Production company	ABC Circle Films
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	April 14, 1974

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

Thursday's Game at IMDb
Thursday's Game at the TCM Movie Database