S4.E2

Bang the Drum Slowly

Episode aired Sep 26, 1956
52m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Paul Newman and Albert Salmi in The United States Steel Hour (1953)

A pitcher on a major-league baseball team finds out that his catcher is desperately trying to hide something, he is dying of a terminal disease and he doesn't want the owner to find out and ... Read allA pitcher on a major-league baseball team finds out that his catcher is desperately trying to hide something, he is dying of a terminal disease and he doesn't want the owner to find out and fire him.A pitcher on a major-league baseball team finds out that his catcher is desperately trying to hide something, he is dying of a terminal disease and he doesn't want the owner to find out and fire him.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

179

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Featured review

7/10

a perceptive and clever teleplay

One of Paul Newman's early roles (as Henry Wiggen) shows what a good actor he already was in this tale of baseball and friendship. From the dark, he addresses the unseen audience and presents scenes from the story, concerning his friend Bruce (Albert Salmi), pregnant wife (Georgeann Johnson), coach and fellow players.

Henry is a decent enough type, ready to look out for the slightly dim-witted Bruce when he is afflicted by an unnamed illness. The way Newman tells and performs the story, you're drawn straight in and, despite a lack of money and scenes, this play remains extremely effective.