NAME OF THE GAME, THE: THE WHITE BIRCH (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas about the investigations undertaken by staff members of Howard Publications, a Los Angeles-based publishing empire run by Glenn Howard.
August 22nd, 1968: Soviet forces begin rolling tanks past the Czechoslovakian border for an invasion, sparking mass protests and rioting from the Czech people. An Czech cameraman is spotted and chased by Russian officers, but he eludes them by hiding in a secret headquarters with fellow protestors. The base is discovered and attacked, all within are killed except for one who manages to escape. The police discover that the cameraman was to meet with Glenn that Friday in Vienna for some purpose. Glenn is on a train tour of the surrounding nations along with a number of other publishers, but is not permitted to get off the train at Czechoslovakia. Glenn is approached by Tatiana Czaleynoski from the official Czech tourism bureau, who has been instructed to escort Glenn on his tour once they reach Prague. They discuss the situation in Czechoslovakia, although she can offer only very limited information about it, and is clearly concealing something. Glenn runs into his friend, the French publisher Emile Ferneaux, as well as his wife Marie, whose father helped Glenn establish his overseas operations.
The escaped protestor infiltrates the train and holds Glenn at gunpoint. He asks that during the publishing tour Glenn visit and speak with the famous Slovakian author Mikhail Orlov, giving him a first edition copy of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain for him to deliver. He explains that Orlov’s work has been highly influential to those resisting the Soviet advance, but that he has gone into seclusion and only Glenn will be able to speak to him. He abruptly leaves, pleading for Glenn to carry out his wishes. He then meets Malchek, an official planning the trip itinerary, who deflects Glenn’s assertions about the invasion. Glenn asks him for a side-trip to see Orlov, and Malchek reveals that three other publishers on the train have also asked to visti Orlov. Glenn’s private research reveals that Orlov’s last novel manuscript, entitled “The White Birch,” was seized from him by the government before it could be published, and was to have become a major touchstone for the Czech revolution. Records indicate that Orlov suffered a massive stroke shortly thereafter, and is now senile.
That night, Glenn speaks with Haggblad, a Swedish publisher, during a reception in the lounge car. When questioned about the Orlov trip, she seems evasive. Philip Saxon, a British publisher, hits on Peggy, explaining how he got himself invited on the trip. Glenn finds Tatiana and hits on her as well before she is called away by Malchek. He then separates Peggy and Philip, both quite drunk. The publishers arrive in Prague and are shown around the city. The tour of Orlov’s house is conducted, including Glenn, Philip, Emile, and Haggblad. When Glen mentions “The White Birch,” Orlov’s wife emerges and informs him that the manuscript was taken by the head ministry for “study” and has not been returned. She takes them to see Orlov, bound to a wheelchair and seemingly barely aware of his surroundings. Each publisher sees him one at a time, and offers to publish “The White Birch” if he will give them the manuscript, but Orlov insists that nothing remains of his work. Peggy discovers Glenn unconscious underneath a tree gripping the copy of “Tom Sawyer,” sedated via drugged tea from Orlov’s table.
Later, Glenn awakens to find himself in a bed with Peggy and Madame Orlov standing above him. He asks Madame Orlov to explain her actions, but Orlov arrives, seemingly in a much better mental state, and reveals that he wanted to speak with Glenn privately. He reveals that he fabricated the story of his stroke and that he retains his mental faculties. Glenn inquires about “The White Birch,” and Orlov reveals that he has a copy of the manuscript disguised as an exact replica of Glenn’s copy of “Tom Sawyer;” they make the exchange and Orlov urges him to take the book out of the country and see that it gets published. Glenn is reluctant to smuggle the manuscript, but Orlov stresses the importance of the situation and the potential impact of the book for all the Czech people. Glenn changes his mind and agrees to deliver the book. Outside, Glenn and Peggy find that their driver is the man who gave him “Tom Sawyer” on the train, who reveals his name is Andre Chernin. He talks about his father’s work in the resistance in World War II, and the execution of his entire family. They return to the city of Prague, where almost immediately Chernin is chased by secret policemen through the streets. Glenn uses this as an opportunity to escape the police. They reunite, but Chernin has been shot and is bleeding. Malchek, attempting to aid the police, runs into Glenn as Chernin evades them, and advises Glenn to return to the train.
On the train, Glenn gives Peggy the briefcase containing the book, believing that it would arouse suspicion if it were seen with him. Later, Glenn receives a note from Marie and meets with her in private. She reveals that Emile’s finances have been in trouble as of late, and that they are close to filing for bankruptcy. Glenn believes Emile has arranged this meeting to try to get his hands on “The White Birch,” hoping to publish it and make a fortune. Glenn does not admit that he possesses the book, and doubts that Emile is truly going bankrupt, believing that he is using Marie to get to Glenn. Glenn is displeased with Emile’s intention to profit off of the suffering of the Czech people, although Marie believes that Emile’s intentions are pure. Peggy accidentally discovers Chernin in her compartment on the train, and he explains that Glenn asked him to come there. She cleans and bandages his gunshot wound, and they kiss. He also reveals that Glenn passed possession of the book to him and instructed him to bring it aboard the train; Peggy finds the briefcase is empty and she was being used as a decoy. He hands off the book to Peggy and goes to sleep.
Haggblad talks to Glenn about “The White Birch,” having heard a rumor that he has the manuscript in his possession. Glenn tries to deflect her suspicions and leaves when she proves to be persistent. Peggy is visited by Philip, still attempting to hit on her. She rejects him and he leaves; she manages to barely keep the book from being discovered by him. Emile inquires to Glenn about the book, but Glenn harshly rebuffs him, particularly with respect to the way he treats Marie. Glenn meets back with Chernin and discovers that Peggy has the book. He runs to see her and discovers that she has been knocked out with chloroform and the book is missing. They have only a few hours to discover the culprit before they cross the Czech border. Glenn and Peggy begin their investigations; Peggy visits with Philip and apologizes to him, attempting to seduce him to render him vulnerable. Glenn confronts Emile and Marie, accusing them of stealing the book to use as leverage for getting Glenn to support him financially. He manages to reveal, albeit indirectly, to Marie that Emile cares more about his business than he does about her.
Peggy tricks Philip, locking him in her bathroom. On the way back she is stopped by Haggblad, who tries to cut her in on a deal to steal the book. Peggy meets with Glenn, informing him that the book is not with either Philip or Haggblad. Glenn stops Haggblad and her aide from ransacking his compartment. Glenn confronts the final suspect, Tatiana, in her compartment, and discovers the book in her portfolio case. She reveals that she stole it to cash in on a payoff from the Russian government, hoping to escape her menial existence. She offers to keep the book for a time and then pass it off to Glenn in exchange for a cut of the profits from its publishing. Malchek comes upon them and looks through the book, only to find that it is an actual copy of “Tom Sawyer,” and not “The White Birch.” This development mystifies Tatiana, and Glenn takes his leave. He takes “Tom Sawyer” back to his compartment just as they arrive at the Czech border, and Chernin, disguised as a customs officer, arrives and switches the book for “The White Birch.” He reveals to Peggy that Malchek was their ally the entire time, and that he was the one who switched the books in Tatiana’s compartment. They all exit the train, having successfully transported the book across the border. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 29, 1968 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:16:39
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:48537
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1968-1971
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert Irving … Producer
- Dean Hargrove … Associate Producer, Writer
- Lamont Johnson … Director
- Luther Davis … Writer
- Robert Soderberg … Writer
- Oliver Nelson … Music by
- Dave Grusin … Theme Music by
- Gene Barry … Cast, Glenn Howard
- Jean-Pierre Aumont … Cast, Emile Ferneaux
- Peter Deuel (See also: Pete Duel) … Cast, Chernin
- Bethel Leslie … Cast, Miss Haggblad
- Roddy McDowall … Cast, Philip Saxon
- Susan Oliver … Cast, Tatiana Czaleynowski
- Boris Karloff … Cast, Mikhail Orlov
- Susan Saint James … Cast, Peggy Maxwell
- Richard Jaeckel … Cast, Malchek
- Louise Sorel … Cast, Marie
- Lilia Skala … Cast, Madame Orlov
- Malila Saint Duval … Cast, Hedrika Heidjob
- Robert Wolders … Cast, Dubrek