THURSDAY’S GAME (1972, 1974) – Completed in 1972 and intended for theaters, this film sat on the shelf and was ultimately reedited as a made for tv movie complete with those fades to black going into commercial breaks. Thursday’s Game isn’t bad, but it will work best for viewers of a certain age or young trivia buffs who will appreciate all the incredible tv stars from the time period.
James Brooks, producer and co-creator of The Mary Tyler Moore Show wrote the screenplay, which is not meant for belly laughs but for broad smiles, occasional out-loud laughter and introspective humor regarding marriages and careerism in 1970s New York. Think of this telefilm as a combination of a typical James Brooks sitcom and a half-baked imitation of Neil Simon plays from back then.
Gene Wilder and Bob Newhart star as Harry Evers and Marvin Ellison, respectively. Harry is the producer of a poorly rated daytime gameshow, while Marvin is a clothier needing a hot new fashion idea to save his company.
When the Thursday Night poker game they’ve been attending for a few years falls apart over welching on debts, Harry and Marvin decide to keep getting together every Thursday, just the two of them, but they tell their wives they’re still going out to the poker game.
The two friends grow closer as they talk about their lives and marriages during these Thursday nights on their own while taking in various New York City attractions. We also get scenes of their wives and associates.
The powerhouse players in even the minor roles make for an All-Star Lineup – Harry’s wife is played by Ellen Burstyn and Marvin’s by Cloris Leachman. Norman Fell plays Harry’s boss and Valerie Harper his game show’s director. Nancy Walker portrays Mrs. Bender, the employment agency worker trying to find Harry a new job when he gets canned over poor ratings.
The other poker players before the breakup are Richard Schaal, Gino Conforti, Jed Allan, and Robert Sampson. Also showing up are Dick Gautier, Martha Scott, John Archer, Barbara Bennett, Rob Reiner and a young Chris Sarandon looking like he’s ready to play Jim Morrison in a biopic.
Harry’s worst fear comes to pass as his show’s ratings continue declining and he gets fired, while Marvin’s hilariously weird fashion idea – men’s trousers with no cloth flap in front of the zippers – becomes a sensation. Marvin’s business soars, but his marriage to Lois (Cloris Leachman) is falling apart, while Harry can’t get a new job AND is in danger of losing his marriage to Lynne (Ellen Burstyn).
The comedy bits are, as I stated above, like those in a mid-level sitcom of the era, but it’s a joy watching Wilder and Newhart playing outside of their usual roles. Gene is subdued even in scenes where he loses his temper, while Bob cuts out most of his stammering and gets to be a Big Man instead of a put-upon nice guy.
The dramatic bits, you may be relieved to hear, don’t get as in-depth or sexually explicit as some movies and tv shows were dabbling in in the 70s. Still, the conversations between Harry & Marvin and their conversations with their wives clearly define their characters.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The laughs become fewer and fewer for the final half-hour or so as events play out to their finish. That’s why I emphasized that it will help if a viewer is a fan of the four main stars, because they do mostly serious acting toward the end.
Marvin finally works up the nerve to bluntly tell his wife that he wants a divorce, then, as wealthy as he is now, goes on a singles cruise to look for a fresh romance. Harry nearly goes with him, but realizes he truly loves his wife and son too much. Marvin hires him to run his company in his absence, finally ending Harry’s jobless period.
In support, Nancy Walker shines as the employment agent who gets WAY too emotionally involved and maternal with her clients, and Cloris Leachman comically runs the gamut from insecure to panicked as Marvin’s wife Lois. Valerie Harper tries to start an affair with Harry, but he declines.
Thursday’s Game is video comfort food for anyone who recognizes and really appreciates the talents of the cast members and admires James Brooks’ writing. It’s neither a Guy Film nor a Chick Flick, but it’s an endurable/ enjoyable watch with the lady in your life.
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Balladeer's Blog 
Great review of a forgotten movie. I haven’t heard of this film before, but your review definitely gives me a strong reason to see it. My main attraction to this film is the leading star Gene Wilder. Wilder is a fantastic actor that made several unforgettable movies during the 1970’s. In 1971, he made one of my favorite films of all-time with “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. He did such an extraordinary job playing Wonka that later actors simply couldn’t live up to his standard. Not only did he prove that he could act, but he was not a bad singer either. So, I will definitely keep “Thursday’s Game” on my watchlist of films to see in future. Thanks for the recommendation.
Here’s why I loved Gene Wilder’s iconic performance in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”:
Yes, Wilder did a lot of impressive work! Looking forward to your Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory review.
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Logged, thank you!
Worth a look-see.
Yes, I think you and the Mrs. – but more the Mrs. – would like it.
Cloris Leachman! Got to be good.
Gwen.
Yes, she is always impressive.