Small House of Everything

Small House of Everything

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

WAY OUT: WILLIAM AND MARY -- A NOD TO FRITZ WEAVER

Veteran actor Fritz Weaver died this Saturday.  He was 90.  A consciencous objector, Weaver served in Civilian Public Service during World War II.  He began acting in the early Fifties.  He garnered a Tony nomination as Best Featured Actor in a Play for The Chalk Garden -- his first Broadway role.  He later won a Tony for Best Actor in 1970 for Child's Play.  He appeared in many films, including Fail-Safe, Marathon Man, and Black Sunday.  Weaver made a gazillion television appearances in a gazillion shows and may be best remembered for his portrayal of Dr. Joseph Weiss in 1978's miniseries Holocaust.  (He also had the distinction of playing the first ever T.H.R.U.S.H. agent to appear on The Man from U.N.C.L.E.)  Often cast in character actor roles, Weaver brought a sense of dignity and professionalism to much of his work.

For an episode in Roald Dahl's chilling anthology series Way Out, Weaver was part of a talented cast that also included Henry Jones, Mildred Dunnick, and Barnard Hughes.  "William and Mary" was written by Dahl, based on his own short story.  Marc Daniels, who already earned his directing chops on such series as The Ford Theater Hour, I Love Lucy (he was the one who suggested Vivian Vance for the role of Ethel Mertz), and I Married Joan, directed.  Over his career, Daniels directed such hit shows as Star Trek, Marcus Welby, M.D., Hogan's Heroes, and Alice.

"William and Mary" first aired on March 31, 1961.

Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYi2hfiy_n4

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