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| Thursday's Game | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as | The Birk |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Written by | James L. Brooks |
| Directed by | Robert Moore |
| Starring | Gene Wilder Ellen Burstyn Bob Newhart Cloris Leachman Nancy Walker Valerie Harper Norman Fell Rob Reiner Martha Scott |
| Music by | Billy Goldenberg |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | James L. Brooks |
| Cinematography | Joseph Biroc |
| Editors | Diane Adler Fredric Steinkamp |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Production company | ABC Circle Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | April 14, 1974 (1974-04-14) |
Thursday's Game (also known asThe Berk) is a 1974 Americanmade-for-televisioncomedy film starringGene Wilder andBob Newhart, written byJames L. Brooks and directed byRobert Moore. Though filmed in 1971, it was originally broadcast April 14, 1974, onABC.
In addition to Wilder and Newhart,Thursday's Game starred many actors familiar to 1970s television viewers includingJohn Archer,Ellen Burstyn,Norman Fell,Cloris Leachman,Valerie Harper,Rob Reiner,Richard Schaal,Martha Scott andNancy Walker. The film was lauded by critics for its perceptive look at adult relationships, and furthered James L. Brooks's reputation as a writer and producer.
Harry Evers and Marvin Ellison are long time friends who meet each Thursday to playpoker and get away from their wives. After the weekly game breaks up over a disagreement, the two men decide to continue meeting for other activities, which leads to friendship and rivalry as the men's lives take on very different paths.