"Nightmare" is an episode from the first season of "The Name of the Game"...a late 60s-early 70s TV series offering movie-like episodes. Each story stars one of three actors...with Gene Barry being the 'glue' that holds the stories together. He's the head of a publishing empire and the other two stars (Anthony Franciosa and Robert Stack) work for him.
"Nightmare" features Robert Stack and features his backstory...a wife who is killed while he's on a case for the FBI. Now, years have passed, and the man he thinks was responsible for her death (or at least knows who is) is getting out of prison. Now that he's no longer with the Bureau and works for the Publishing company, he investigates the case once again...ostensibly to write a story about it. However, his main motivation appears to be a desire to punish those responsible.
The story is interesting and well written. I enjoyed it. But I must also point out a weakness I noticed...that Robert Stack's acting range was pretty limited here. Sure, he's great playing tough, glib types...but when it comes to the emotional scenes with his wife he seems a bit rigid. Not terribly so, but still not within his range. Still, even with this weakness it makes for a compelling episode.
"Nightmare" features Robert Stack and features his backstory...a wife who is killed while he's on a case for the FBI. Now, years have passed, and the man he thinks was responsible for her death (or at least knows who is) is getting out of prison. Now that he's no longer with the Bureau and works for the Publishing company, he investigates the case once again...ostensibly to write a story about it. However, his main motivation appears to be a desire to punish those responsible.
The story is interesting and well written. I enjoyed it. But I must also point out a weakness I noticed...that Robert Stack's acting range was pretty limited here. Sure, he's great playing tough, glib types...but when it comes to the emotional scenes with his wife he seems a bit rigid. Not terribly so, but still not within his range. Still, even with this weakness it makes for a compelling episode.
