Actor Rod Steiger dead at 78

Associated Press ^ | July 9, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

[Non-Sequitur]

Sadly there is no place I know where you can get a copy of the teleplay. I saw it 20 years ago on the Chicago PBS affiliate and I have never seen it since, or seen it for sale. But I've seen both the movie and the teleplay and I will be the first to admit that Borgnine was great, and he captured Mary almost to perfection. But Steiger was perfection. He was the lonely shy little man who suddenly and miraculously found love. Nancy Marchand was fabulous because she was an ugly duckling, no attempt made to make her cute or pretty, Betsy Blair was far too good looking in the film. It was, and still is, one of the best hours of television I have ever watched.

[1234]

Rod Steiger played Marty...(on)PBS...

i didn't see this-probably woulda liked it-STEIGER was a great one

[leadpenny]

"The Sergeant"

Excellent movie. I saw it when it made the circuit in Vietnam in late 69 or early 70. Tried to rent it a couple years ago only to find out someone owns the rights to it and it is not rentable.

Anyone know where I can get a copy?

[LisaFab]

LOL! No matter how many times I watch the movie, I must still rub my eyes at the incongruity of the method-actor Steiger dropped unwashed into the pristine cornfields of Okla.

[catonsville]

He suffered from severe depression and alcoholism. There is an editorial in today's Washington Times about him; the writer was a child actor in the fifties who played Steiger's son in the Humphrey Bogart movie "The Harder They Fall." He mentions how Steiger, who was than a major American actor and star, would help the other performers by delivering the out of frame lines for the scenes and by giving acting tips to members of the cast.

He was a volatile, burdened man, this came out in his marvelous acting.

[Bonaparte]

"Anyone know where I can get a copy?"

Glad to know somebody recognizes a great film when he sees it.

I did a search for you and found nothing. Suggest you drop a "wanted" post at e-bay, amazon, usenet. I think there may also be search services for films just as there are for rare books. You might pick up a copy that way. And don't forget the Rod Steiger fan club/s. They may be able to help. Good luck!

[leadpenny]

Thanks so much for your help.