The Man in the Funny Suit

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The Man in the Funny Suit (1960) is a television drama detailing the agony endured by actor Keenan Wynn while helping his father, legendary comedian Ed Wynn, play a serious role in the original television production of Rod Serling's Requiem for a Heavyweight.

Requiem was the elder Wynn's first dramatic role after decades of comedy. When Wynn flubbed a line or was uncertain of how to proceed, he would fall back on his old comedic catchphrases and jokes, mostly out of habit. As Requiem was an intense drama scheduled for live broadcast, this caused much consternation and worry among the staff and cast. When the time came for the show, however, Ed Wynn surprised everyone with his nearly flawless performance.

The Wynns, Rod Serling, and Red Skelton play themselves in this installment of "The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse." The Man in the Funny Suit was written and directed by Ralph Nelson, the director of both the original television Requiem for a Heavyweight and the later movie version in 1962, which starred Jackie Gleason and Mickey Rooney in Keenan and Ed Wynn's roles.