Written and directed by Ernest Pintoff ( who also did the music ), 'Harvey Middleman, Fireman' ( 1965 ) is a slight but charming film which deserves to be better known. It starred the late Gene Troobnick as the titular character, a fireman whose happy marriage to 'Harriet' ( Arlene Golonka ) appears to have hit a rocky patch. When he saves the beautiful 'Lois' ( Patricia Harty ) from a fire, he becomes smitten and they start dating. Wracked by guilt, he consults an eccentric psychiatrist, played by Hermione Gingold.
The story is thin, but there's a lot to enjoy, and Troobnick is so likeable in the lead role ( he reminds me a little of Alan Arkin ) you wonder why he did not land other similar roles. His breaking the fourth wall works. Pintoff was a cartoonist, and it shows in some scenes. James Thurber seems to been a major influence too.
This is a difficult film to find, but worth the effort. It won't have you in hysterics, but like Harvey's pussycats, you will be smiling throughout. In these horrible times, smiling is not something to be sneered at.
The story is thin, but there's a lot to enjoy, and Troobnick is so likeable in the lead role ( he reminds me a little of Alan Arkin ) you wonder why he did not land other similar roles. His breaking the fourth wall works. Pintoff was a cartoonist, and it shows in some scenes. James Thurber seems to been a major influence too.
This is a difficult film to find, but worth the effort. It won't have you in hysterics, but like Harvey's pussycats, you will be smiling throughout. In these horrible times, smiling is not something to be sneered at.