What Makes Sammy Run? April 6, 2005

Screening introduced by
Dina Merrill and Budd Schulberg

Budd Schulberg?s scathing tale of a preternaturally driven hustler who bulldozes his way to the top of the Hollywood food chain caused a sensation when it was published in 1941, and no studio dared bring it to the screen?which made it perfect for television. An abridged adaptation with José Ferrer in the title role aired in the late forties; however, it is the 1959 production, cowritten by Schulberg (with his brother Stuart) and directed by Delbert Mann for the prestigious anthology series Sunday Showcase, that remains the definitive version. Starring John Forsythe, Barbara Rush, Dina Merrill, and?in the performance of his career as Sammy Glick?Larry Blyden, the complete two-part broadcast has long been considered one of television?s ?lost? treasures. Now fully restored by the Museum with the assistance of the Library of Congress, it will be presented in its entirety for the first time in nearly half a century.