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Theodore J. Flicker

Known For
Directing

Known Credits
4

Gender
Male

Birthday
June 6, 1930 (96 years old)

Place of Birth
Freehold Borough, New Jersey, USA

Theodore J. Flicker

Biography

Theodore Jonas Flicker (June 6, 1930 – September 12, 2014) was an American playwright, theatrical producer, television and film director, actor, television writer, screenwriter, author, and sculptor. Born in 1930 at Freehold Borough, New Jersey, Flicker attended Admiral Farragut Academy in Tom's River, New Jersey from 1947 to 1949. From 1949 to 1951, he studied at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, alongside fellow drama students Joan Collins and Larry Hagman.

In 1954, he became a member of Chicago's Compass Theater, America's first theater of improvisational comedy. Eventually, he worked as producer, director, and performer with the Compass Players in St. Louis. The company was such a success that he was able to raise money to establish the Crystal Palace Theater, then the only monthly repertory stage in the country.

In 1959, he wrote the book for and directed the Broadway musical The Nervous Set. Fran Landesman provided the lyrics, and Tommy Wolf the musical score. The show was revived in 2006. In 1960, he established The Premise on New York's Bleecker Street in a basement venue, where he initially appeared alongside Tom Aldredge, George Segal, and Joan Darling. Over the next few years, openings would be filled by performers such as James Frawley, Buck Henry, Gene Hackman, Sandy Baron, Al Mancini, Garry Goodrow, George Furth, Cynthia Harris, Peter Bonerz, Mina Kolb, Michael Howard, and Sandra Seacat (as Sandra Kaufman). The show eventually transferred to the Comedy Theatre in London's West End. A follow-up improvisational satire, The Premise in Living Color, targeted racism and featured Godfrey Cambridge, Diana Sands, and Al Freeman Jr.

Moving into motion pictures, Flicker directed and co-wrote (with Henry) the screenplay for his first film The Troublemaker in 1964. As a filmmaker, he is probably best known for his political lampoon The President's Analyst (1967) with James Coburn, although he cites Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang (1978) among his personal favorites.

An occasional actor, he plays the first victim in Beware! The Blob! (1972), directed by Larry Hagman. He also rides at full gallop as Buffalo Bill Cody in The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981), the directorial debut of cinematographer William A. Fraker, who shot The President's Analyst.

Flicker co-created the television series Barney Miller (1975). He also wrote and/or directed episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Night Gallery, The Streets of San Francisco, and I Dream of Jeannie. Flicker appeared as the Devil in a 1971 episode of Night Gallery he wrote, called "Hell's Bells."

Known For

Directing

1981Soggy Bottom, U.S.A....Director
1980Where the Ladies Go...Director
1978Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang...Director
1978Last of the Good Guys...Director
1977Just a Little Inconvenience...Director
1973Guess Who's Sleeping in My Bed?...Director
1972Playmates...Director
1970Night Gallery...Director
1970Up in the Cellar...Director
1967The President's Analyst...Director
1966Run, Buddy, Run...Director
1965I Dream of Jeannie...Director
1964The Man from U.N.C.L.E....Director
1964The Rogues...Director
1964The Troublemaker...Director
1963The Bill Dana Show...Director
1963Vacation Playhouse...Director
1961The Dick Van Dyke Show...Director
1960The Andy Griffith Show...Director

Writing

1978Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang...Screenplay
1978Last of the Good Guys...Writer
1977Just a Little Inconvenience...Writer
1972The Streets of San Francisco...Writer
1971Nichols...Writer
1970Night Gallery...Writer
1970Up in the Cellar...Writer
1967The President's Analyst...Writer
1966Spinout...Screenplay
1964The Troublemaker...Screenplay
1964The Troublemaker...Original Story

Creator

1975Barney Miller...Creator

Acting

1971The Christian Licorice Storeas Hollywood Party Guest
1964The Roguesas Antique Dealer
1964The Troublemakeras Mr. Big
1959The David Susskind Showas Self