MovieChat Forums > The Twilight Zone (1959) Discussion > What would you rate "A Game of Pool"?

What would you rate "A Game of Pool"?

posted 7 years ago by [email protected] (148)
5 replies | jump to latest

I'm torn on this one. On the one hand the acting and dialogue soar. On the other the game itself is curiously absent of tension -- it certainly never generates the kind of tension "The Hustler" (a movie this episode obviously drew from) manages. Then again, as talented as Klugman and Winters are, they're no Gleason and Newman. The episode does end on a high note (though George Clayton Johnson's original ending was probably a better choice) but getting there is something of a slog. I don't think personally I can award this anything higher than a "6" or "7."

[–] doug65oh (205) 7 years ago

10 across the board - no question. Seeing Jonathan Winters pull off a dramatic role far outweighs any other issues that might exist I would say. Comparing it to "The Hustler" strikes me as a bit like comparing an apple to a pear.

[–] [email protected] (148) 7 years ago

I was just using "The Hustler" as an example of something that made a subject I have no interest in -- pool -- interesting to me -- whereas "A Game of Pool" did not. But I'm probably be too hard on this one and will likely rate it higher once I see it again -- the dialogue and acting, as I mentioned earlier, being pretty top-notch. It's certainly one of the better "sports-themed" "TZ" outings, that's for sure.

[–] Xcalat3 (3748) 7 years ago

Not my favorite episode but not bad either

6/10

[–] NoOneOnEarth (38) 7 years ago

I've only seen maybe 40 or 50 episodes, but A Game of Pool is one of my favorites, and one that stands out for me.

[–] strntz (12259) 7 years ago

I like it. Interesting seeing Winters playing a straight role for once and I love the typical slightly over the top acting of Klugman in all his TZ appearances.

Intelligent dialog, but I see Klugman as the ace that pushes this episode over the hump for me. I give this a solid 9.