Steven Spielberg worked his way up to directing features by making short films and episodes of TV shows like Columbo and Night Gallery. His earliest movies were also made for television – and the first feature-length TV movie he made that wasn’t part of a series was the classic 1971 thriller Duel (watch it Here). Forty-two years after Duel first aired, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is now set to give the film a 4K release on November 14th!
Based on a short story by Richard Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay, Duel centers on a motorist terrorized by an evil truck. Dennis Weaver stars as the traveling salesman waging a desperate battle for survival after he is mysteriously singled out.
Jacqueline Scott, Eddie Firestone, Lou Frizzell, and Gene Dynarski are also in the cast.
A press release on Blu-ray.com notes, “Praised for its deft use of relentlessly mounting psychological tension,...
Based on a short story by Richard Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay, Duel centers on a motorist terrorized by an evil truck. Dennis Weaver stars as the traveling salesman waging a desperate battle for survival after he is mysteriously singled out.
Jacqueline Scott, Eddie Firestone, Lou Frizzell, and Gene Dynarski are also in the cast.
A press release on Blu-ray.com notes, “Praised for its deft use of relentlessly mounting psychological tension,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Gene Dynarski, a beloved actor who appeared in several hit TV shows, has died.
Dynarski’s death was announced by friend and playwright Ernest Kearney, who shared on his website that Dynarski had been recuperating from a “mild heart episode” for the last month.
The website reveals the date of death as February 27.
“I had visited Gene only a few days prior,” Kearney writes.
“He seemed his old self, ranting on about me finding him a lawyer to sue the rehab-center…I could tell by the glances of the staff passing by his room that Gene had managed to piss them off."
“Spielberg recognized Dynarski’s talents and used him a second time in his sci-fi epic Close Encounters of the Third Kind," Kearney said.
"In one of the film’s best scenes, Dynarski played the supervisor who sends Richard Dreyfuss to investigate the mysterious blackouts. And here’s a...
Dynarski’s death was announced by friend and playwright Ernest Kearney, who shared on his website that Dynarski had been recuperating from a “mild heart episode” for the last month.
The website reveals the date of death as February 27.
“I had visited Gene only a few days prior,” Kearney writes.
“He seemed his old self, ranting on about me finding him a lawyer to sue the rehab-center…I could tell by the glances of the staff passing by his room that Gene had managed to piss them off."
“Spielberg recognized Dynarski’s talents and used him a second time in his sci-fi epic Close Encounters of the Third Kind," Kearney said.
"In one of the film’s best scenes, Dynarski played the supervisor who sends Richard Dreyfuss to investigate the mysterious blackouts. And here’s a...
- 4/27/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Gene Dynarski, an actor whose roles on episodic TV included the irascible Izzy Mandelbaum Jr. on Seinfeld and the victim of a human bat in a memorable 2000 episode of The X-Files, died Feb. 27 in a Studio City rehabilitation center. He was 86.
Dynarski’s death was announced by friend and playwright Ernest Kearney, who writes on his website that Dynarski had been recuperating from a “mild heart episode” for the last month.
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“I had visited Gene only a few days prior,” Kearney writes. “He seemed his old self, ranting on about me finding him a lawyer to sue the rehab-center…I could tell by the glances of the staff passing by his room that Gene had managed to piss them off. Dynarski...
Dynarski’s death was announced by friend and playwright Ernest Kearney, who writes on his website that Dynarski had been recuperating from a “mild heart episode” for the last month.
More from DeadlineFred The Godson Dies: New York Rapper Had Covid-19, Was 35Shirley Knight Dies: Award-Winning 'Sweet Bird Of Youth' Actress Was 83Tom Lester Dies: 'Green Acres' Actor Was 81
“I had visited Gene only a few days prior,” Kearney writes. “He seemed his old self, ranting on about me finding him a lawyer to sue the rehab-center…I could tell by the glances of the staff passing by his room that Gene had managed to piss them off. Dynarski...
- 4/27/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Gene Dynarski, who appeared as Izzy Mandelbaum Jr. on “Seinfeld” and on the original “Star Trek” television series, has died. He was 86.
Dynarski died on Feb. 27 at a rehabilitation center in Studio City, his friend, playwright Ernest Kearney announced.
The actor starred in the 1997 “Seinfeld” episode “The English Patient” as the son of Lloyd Bridges’ character. The pair reprised their roles in another episode,“The Blood,” on the next season.
Dynarski also worked on two Steven Spielberg films, “Duel” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” among several television projects, including “Star Trek,” “Batman” and “The X-Files.”
Kearney recounted in a blog post that Dynarski seemed to have a talent for rubbing people the wrong way.
“Spielberg recognized Dynarski’s talents and used him a second time in his sci-fi epic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In one of the film’s best scenes, Dynarski played the supervisor who...
Dynarski died on Feb. 27 at a rehabilitation center in Studio City, his friend, playwright Ernest Kearney announced.
The actor starred in the 1997 “Seinfeld” episode “The English Patient” as the son of Lloyd Bridges’ character. The pair reprised their roles in another episode,“The Blood,” on the next season.
Dynarski also worked on two Steven Spielberg films, “Duel” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” among several television projects, including “Star Trek,” “Batman” and “The X-Files.”
Kearney recounted in a blog post that Dynarski seemed to have a talent for rubbing people the wrong way.
“Spielberg recognized Dynarski’s talents and used him a second time in his sci-fi epic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In one of the film’s best scenes, Dynarski played the supervisor who...
- 4/27/2020
- by Klaritza Rico
- Variety Film + TV
Gene Dynarski, a character actor who appeared in Steven Spielberg's Duel and Close Encounters of the Third Kind and played Izzy Mandelbaum Jr., the son of Lloyd Bridges' character, on Seinfeld, has died. He was 86.
Dynarski died Feb. 27 in a rehabilitation center in Studio City, playwright Ernest Kearney announced.
The Brooklyn native also worked twice on the original Star Trek, as the miner Ben Childress on the 1966 episode "Mudd's Women" and as Krodak, who represents a city up for Federation membership, on the 1969 installment "The Mark of Gideon."
Dynarski was seen as ...
Dynarski died Feb. 27 in a rehabilitation center in Studio City, playwright Ernest Kearney announced.
The Brooklyn native also worked twice on the original Star Trek, as the miner Ben Childress on the 1966 episode "Mudd's Women" and as Krodak, who represents a city up for Federation membership, on the 1969 installment "The Mark of Gideon."
Dynarski was seen as ...
- 4/24/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gene Dynarski, a character actor who appeared in Steven Spielberg's Duel and Close Encounters of the Third Kind and played Izzy Mandelbaum Jr., the son of Lloyd Bridges' character, on Seinfeld, has died. He was 86.
Dynarski died Feb. 27 in a rehabilitation center in Studio City, playwright Ernest Kearney announced.
The Brooklyn native also worked twice on the original Star Trek, as the miner Ben Childress on the 1966 episode "Mudd's Women" and as Krodak, who represents a city up for Federation membership, on the 1969 installment "The Mark of Gideon."
Dynarski was seen as ...
Dynarski died Feb. 27 in a rehabilitation center in Studio City, playwright Ernest Kearney announced.
The Brooklyn native also worked twice on the original Star Trek, as the miner Ben Childress on the 1966 episode "Mudd's Women" and as Krodak, who represents a city up for Federation membership, on the 1969 installment "The Mark of Gideon."
Dynarski was seen as ...
- 4/24/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
1977: ABC's serialized comedy series Soap premiered.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: Gh's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1969: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.
1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: Gh's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1969: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.
1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.
- 9/26/2019
- by Unknown
- We Love Soaps
1977: ABC's serialized comedy series Soap premiered.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: Gh's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1969: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.
1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.
1977: Primetime comedic serial Soap premiered on ABC.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: Gh's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1969: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.
1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.
1977: Primetime comedic serial Soap premiered on ABC.
- 9/13/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Review James Hunt Jan 11, 2013
James' weekly Tng visit arrives at surprisingly fun, binary-titled episode 11001001...
This review contains spoilers.
1.15 11001001
The Enterprise D docks at Starbase 84 to have its Holodeck repaired after it nearly killed one of their crew members a few episodes ago. Not a bad idea, although when it does similar in the future everyone forgets they even tried in the past. After the ship docks, everyone immediately drops what they're doing and declares it a duvet day – everyone except Riker, who doesn't appear to have any interests outside of being second in command.
To repair the holodeck, Commander Quinteros brings aboard some Bynars - aliens who exist in a technologically-driven symbiosis – to do the repairs. They'll also be fiddling with the Enterprise's computer, because that always goes well. Wesley and Riker watch the Bynars and can't help finding them suspicious (good call, especially considering everyone pretty much let...
James' weekly Tng visit arrives at surprisingly fun, binary-titled episode 11001001...
This review contains spoilers.
1.15 11001001
The Enterprise D docks at Starbase 84 to have its Holodeck repaired after it nearly killed one of their crew members a few episodes ago. Not a bad idea, although when it does similar in the future everyone forgets they even tried in the past. After the ship docks, everyone immediately drops what they're doing and declares it a duvet day – everyone except Riker, who doesn't appear to have any interests outside of being second in command.
To repair the holodeck, Commander Quinteros brings aboard some Bynars - aliens who exist in a technologically-driven symbiosis – to do the repairs. They'll also be fiddling with the Enterprise's computer, because that always goes well. Wesley and Riker watch the Bynars and can't help finding them suspicious (good call, especially considering everyone pretty much let...
- 1/11/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
We kick off the marathon with a celebration of Spielberg’s directorial debut, the vehicular thriller Duel. Did Spielberg start off strong, or was his first film an embarrassing blemish on his impressive resume? Find out now in our first installment of Saturdays with Spielberg!
The Basics:
Businessman David Mann is traveling across a long and desolate road in the Western United States when he encounters the behemoth of a truck. At first, he thought nothing of it. He passes him once, and the truck only blares his long horn. But once he passes the truck again, Mann inadvertently causes a case of road rage upon the driver that can only end in one way…and with only one man left standing.
Cast: Dennis Weaver, Eddie Firestone, Gene Dynarski, Tim Herbert, Charles Seel
Written By: Richard Matheson
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
The Delivery:
Duel is certainly an interesting debut for director Steven Spielberg.
The Basics:
Businessman David Mann is traveling across a long and desolate road in the Western United States when he encounters the behemoth of a truck. At first, he thought nothing of it. He passes him once, and the truck only blares his long horn. But once he passes the truck again, Mann inadvertently causes a case of road rage upon the driver that can only end in one way…and with only one man left standing.
Cast: Dennis Weaver, Eddie Firestone, Gene Dynarski, Tim Herbert, Charles Seel
Written By: Richard Matheson
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
The Delivery:
Duel is certainly an interesting debut for director Steven Spielberg.
- 7/9/2011
- Cinelinx
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