"Climax!" Four Hours in White (TV Episode 1958) Poster

(TV Series)

(1958)

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8/10
A very different sort of role for Duryea--and a nice change of pace.
planktonrules30 July 2012
During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Dan Duryea made a career out of playing a supporting player. For the most part, he played evil and spineless jerks--and did a great job doing it! He was a guy you just loved to hate! However, in this episode of "Climax!", you see him in a very different sort of role--playing a caring and very dedicated doctor fighting for his patients' lives.

"Hours in White" begins by learning that two identical twins were in an accident. One will most likely die soon unless he gets a kidney transplant--a brand new sort of surgery back in 1958. However, the hospital's Assistant Administrator is against it--BOTH twins (played by Steve McQueen) might be lost in the process and his vote is to take the more conservative approach and do nothing. What will happen with these two strong-willed men who are at odds with patient care?

Overall, this episode of "Climax!" comes off a lot like a show like "Dr. Kildaire" or "Medical Center". And, like these shows it's quite compelling and worth your time. For me, it's more than that--it's a great example of Duryea's amazing talent, as his performance was the backbone of the show and made it work. Well worth seeing--particularly if you know Duryea and his work.

By the way, making this even more amazing is that the show was filmed LIVE! Wow.
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Well-acted soap opera
lor_26 April 2024
This performed-live "Climax!" segment from 1958 holds up well, with Dan Duryea as the surgeon on the spot facing a literally life and death decision. A very strong supporting cast makes it a winner.

Situation is drawn in bold relief: after an accident one twin is dying and needs a kidney while the second twin, played by Steve McQueen at "The Blob" starting phase of his career, has a heart problem making for an issue with him as the donor. Duryea votes for the transplant, but hospital brass opposes it.

Complicating the drama is the fact that kidney transplanting as a procedure was still in its infancy (only four years old). McQueen is quite sympathetic and forceful in his role, matched by B-movie queen Gloria Talbott as his mixed-feelings girlfriend.

Only one fault here is a gimmick of a squeaky oscilloscope superimposed on screen during the operation to heighten suspense -way too hokey.
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