![]() Specifically, the circumstances of Jesse Cardiff rightly indicate that, when carried to the point of obsession, even the most innocuous of activities (e.g. Though highly unrealistic, “A Game of Pool” contains an important life lesson that pursuers of any specialized hobby or profession would be wise to follow. Particularly worth noting is Klugman’s performance in the climactic scene, wherein Jesse, now guaranteed a victory over Fats, proceeds to taunt and humiliate his opponent despite nearly suffering a devastating loss-a believable display of faux confidence from a weak, desperate man lacking the gravitas or sportsmanship of a true champion.įats’ personal afterlife (a misty region containing only an announcement speaker and a pool table) may induce groaning from the audience. Having portrayed Jesse as an overly tense competitor with no sense of humor or levity, Jack Klugman (known to viewers of The Twilight Zone for appearing in “Death Ship,” “In Praise of Pip,” and “ A Passage for Trumpet”) should be commended for conveying the doubts and insecurities that define his character. Especially well-executed is the twist ending featured in “A Game of Pool,” the unpredictable nature of which will no doubt satisfy fans of this series. This installment makes compelling use of a simple, one-note premise conceived by George Clayton Johnson-an occasional contributor to The Twilight Zone. Residing in the afterlife, Fats returns to Earth for one final match but warns Jesse that being the best at anything can have unforeseen consequences. Jonathan Winters was a legendary comedian and this was a rare dramatic role for him.Ĭlick here to return to my survey of The Twilight Zone series.Desperate to make a name for himself, Jesse Cardiff (Jack Klugman) challenges the late Fats Brown (Jonathan Winters)-the most renowned pool player who ever lived-to a game of straight pool.This was Jack Klugman’s favorite Twilight Zone episode out of the four he appeared in.Rod Serling called this episode “the story of the best pool player living and the best pool player dead.”.George Clayton Johnson’s script originally featured an ending in which Jesse loses the game and yet finds himself still alive.These are the ground rules in the Twilight Zone.” ![]() Fats Brown, on the other hand, having relinquished the champion’s mantle, has gone fishing. Jesse Cardiff, who became a legend by beating one, but who has found out after his funeral that being the best of anything carries with it a special obligation to keep on proving it. He has now become the undisputed pool king but he has grown weary of his prominence. Later, we find Cardiff being called to another pool hall to defend his crown in Sandusky, Ohio. Cardiff realizes no one knows of his victory. They battle for hours until Cardiff finally triumphs over Brown who merely responds by saying, “thanks.” Cardiff turns around and Brown has vanished. The two men decide to raise the stakes and play for life or death. He is called to Randolph Street to play pool against Cardiff. Next, we are transported to another place and time where Fats Brown (played by Jonathan Winters) is still alive. He wishes for the chance to battle the late Fats Brown to prove once and for all who is the superior pool champion. ![]() His name is Jesse Cardiff (played by “everyman” Jack Klugman of 12 Angry Men repute who also appeared in the Season One episode “A Passage For Trumpet” and several later episodes). One man plays pool alone at a pool hall on Randolph Street in Chicago. “Jesse Cardiff, pool shark, the best on Randolph Street, who will soon learn that trying to be the best at anything carries its own special risks.
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