"The Price of Tomatoes" was an American television movie broadcast by NBC on January 16, 1962, as part of the television series, The Dick Powell Show. It was written and produced by Richard Alan Simmons and directed by David Friedkin. Peter Falk starred and won the Emmy Award for outstanding single performance by an actor in a leading role.

"The Price of Tomatoes"
The Dick Powell Show episode
Peter Falk and Inger Stevens in "The Price of Tomatoes"
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 17
Directed byDavid Friedkin
Written byRichard Alan Simmons
Featured musicLeith Stevens (music), Joseph Mullendore (score)
Cinematography byCarl Guthrie
Original air dateJanuary 16, 1962 (1962-01-16)
Running time51:46
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"A Time to Die"
Next →
"Obituary for Mr. X"

Plot

edit

A Greek truck driver, Aristede Fresco (played by Peter Falk), seeks to deliver a shipment of tomatoes from El Paso, Texas to Cincinnati, Ohio before his competitor arrives. He is sidetracked when he picks up a pregnant Romanian illegal immigrant, Anna Beza (played by Inger Stevens). She goes into labor and he takes her to the office of a doctor who turns out to be an astrological doctor. He then seeks out a real hospital. After helping her through the birth of her child, Fresco returns to the road and passes his competition.

Cast

edit

The cast included performances by:[1]

Production

edit

The production was broadcast by NBC on January 16, 1962, as part of the television series, The Dick Powell Show. It was written and produced by Richard Alan Simmons and directed by David Friedkin.[1] Carl Guthrie was the director of photography, and J. M. Van Tamelen was the art director.

Reception

edit

Peter Falk won the Emmy Award for outstanding single performance by an actor in a leading role.[2] The production also received Emmy nominations for Inger Stevens for outstanding single performance by an actress in a leading role and for Richard Alan Simmons for outstanding writing achievement in drama.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "The Dick Powell Show: The Price of Tomatoes". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "Julie Harris, as Victoria, Wins TV Emmy: Mrs. Kennedy, Glenn and Sarnoff Cited -- 'Defenders' Scores Drama and Its Star Honored at Annual Awards Ceremony". The New York Times. May 23, 1962. p. 91.