The Price of Tomatoes
"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"
Season 1
Episode 17
Richard Alan Simmons
Leith Stevens (music), Joseph Mullendore (score)
January 16, 1962
51:46
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.
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.