...one of the screen's most under-rated actors. His odd physique led to a succession of mostly oddball roles, such as here. But under the rather offbeat appearance lay an actor of first-rate ability, as can be seen in his Act 4 appearances in "Man of Mystery" (THRILLER), written especially for Mr. Burke by Robert Bloch, and "The Men Who Raised Rabbits" (BEN CASEY), among others.
Mr. Burke's greatest disappointment was not being cast as Michelangelo in the 1965 epic "The Agony and the Ecstasy". He had studied the artists' life, noting especially his dwarf-like, twisted physical condition, for which Walter would have been ideal. Of course, he entirely mis-read the situation, since Hollywood would have NEVER cast an actor who was thoroughly regarded as a minor player in such a huge, big-budgeted film. But it sure would have been fascinating to watch....
The other commentator here mentions the similarities of "Piece of Paradise" to any number of noirish, sexploitation films of the 50's...which I'm SURE was John Cassavetes' intention. Since Johnny Staccato was essentially a copy of "Peter Gunn", the moody, sordid, raunchy underside of the urban underworld (with music by Elmer Bernstein more-or-less replicating Mancini's classic sound) was evoked in all its gory glory for the small screen, this being the same season that Desilu's "The Untouchables" created a firestorm of TV criticism for its relentless violence.
Cassavetes' work here, both as actor and director, is first-rate: gripping, moody, alluring, imaginative. A good show, greatly elevated by the work of Cassavetes, Burke and the sinister Bert Freed. LR.
Mr. Burke's greatest disappointment was not being cast as Michelangelo in the 1965 epic "The Agony and the Ecstasy". He had studied the artists' life, noting especially his dwarf-like, twisted physical condition, for which Walter would have been ideal. Of course, he entirely mis-read the situation, since Hollywood would have NEVER cast an actor who was thoroughly regarded as a minor player in such a huge, big-budgeted film. But it sure would have been fascinating to watch....
The other commentator here mentions the similarities of "Piece of Paradise" to any number of noirish, sexploitation films of the 50's...which I'm SURE was John Cassavetes' intention. Since Johnny Staccato was essentially a copy of "Peter Gunn", the moody, sordid, raunchy underside of the urban underworld (with music by Elmer Bernstein more-or-less replicating Mancini's classic sound) was evoked in all its gory glory for the small screen, this being the same season that Desilu's "The Untouchables" created a firestorm of TV criticism for its relentless violence.
Cassavetes' work here, both as actor and director, is first-rate: gripping, moody, alluring, imaginative. A good show, greatly elevated by the work of Cassavetes, Burke and the sinister Bert Freed. LR.
