The Strike (Westinghouse Studio One)
"The Strike" was an American television play broadcast on June 7, 1954, as part of the CBS television series Westinghouse Studio One. Written by Rod Serling and directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, the drama is set during the darkest period of the Korean War, focusing on the stress of command in sacrificing troops in combat. The running time was 59:21, including breaks hosted by Betty Furness, promoting Westinghouse refrigerators, stoves, room air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.
"The Strike"
Production[edit]
The play was produced by Felix Jackson, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, and written for television by Rod Serling. It was broadcast on June 7, 1954, as part of the CBS television series, Westinghouse Studio One.[1]
The teleplay was staged at least three other times. In December 1955, it was produced for Lux Radio Theatre in Australia. In February 1960, it was produced as part of Great Britain's Armchair Theatre under the title "Come In, Razor Red". In May 1964, it was produced for Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre under the title, "The Command".[2]
Serling was pleased with the work and wrote a feature-length screenplay under the title The Cold Day in Hell. In July 1956, he wrote: "Quite immodestly I'll state that I think it's a power house and should make a corker of a movie." However, it was not produced.[3]
Critical reception[edit]
Producer Felix Jackson rated the script as the best Serling had written to that point.[4]
Gore Vidal included the script in his 1956 published collection, Best Television Plays. It was the first Serling teleplay to be published.[4]