As I remember this Peter Falk stopped to pick up a hitchhiker (Inger Stevens) who was pregnant. His dilemma: he was in race to get to market with another trucker. Whoever arrived first, got the best price for tomatoes...well Falk ended up doing the right thing and taking Inger to the hospital....this is the exception to the no good dead goes unpunished rule...the other trucker broke down, and Falk in spite of the detour to the hospital made it to market first....this was outstanding television...too bad it's not available on DVD...if you get a chance to watch it, by all means do, you will not be sorry....Falk was outstanding in an early role, and yes, as someone mentioned I think this was a role that helped make him a star...
18 Reviews
outstanding drama, still remember it 50 years later.
richard-brisson2 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The Price of Tomatoes
burgephoto18 October 2013
I am a huge fan of Peter Falk, and I was intrigued by the fact that he won an Emmy Award for this episode of The Dick Powell Theater, and when I read a synopsis of the story, something about it sounded so familiar. Then bits and pieces came back to me, and I realized I had seen it before, many years ago. I vaguely remember my mother talking about the episode. I wish I could remember more about it, but memory fails. Having read so many positive comments, I really wish I could find this on DVD, but the only media I have been able to find it on is VHS tape, and I no longer own a VHS tape player. There is one seller (robertsvideo.com) that has it on DVD, but I read that it was recorded straight from the TV screen, so the quality would be less than stellar, for $25.00, $6.50 shipping. I don't know whether I want to pay that much for a DVD with dubious quality, but I want it badly enough that I have actually considered it. How I wish The Price of Tomatoes was on DVD!
Update: I bought the DVD of this Dick Powell Theater episode from the aforementioned Robert's Videos, and the quality is much better than I hoped! It was NOT recorded directly from the TV screen, but transferred from VHS tape onto DVD. It was well worth the price I paid for it, and will enjoy it again and again for years to come!
Update: I bought the DVD of this Dick Powell Theater episode from the aforementioned Robert's Videos, and the quality is much better than I hoped! It was NOT recorded directly from the TV screen, but transferred from VHS tape onto DVD. It was well worth the price I paid for it, and will enjoy it again and again for years to come!
The Price of Tomatoes with Peter Falk
crpuleo16 February 2007
In my opinion, The Price of tomatoes is one of the best pieces of film Peter Falk was in. Seeing Peter Falk in the role of a truck driver, an every day Joe so to speak, instead of his usual detective type is great. I believe this role helped launch his career. Many of his fans that I've spoken to don't even know it exists. Inga Stevens was also great playing a person truly in need. There are not very many films she was in so this is a real treat. Can't say anymore without giving away the plot. I do recommend very highly.
I am looking forward to this being available on DVD or even Video. I would imagine it would be included with a set of other Dick Powell shows.
I am looking forward to this being available on DVD or even Video. I would imagine it would be included with a set of other Dick Powell shows.
Memorable after so long
redheadedfool5 October 2008
I was 10 years old and remember there was so much talk about this episode that I was allowed to stay up late to watch it. The big deal at the time was about the camera lenses that were able to shoot at night (instead of the standard Hollywood day-for-night). It gave this show a grittier, more realistic feel than any of us had ever seen on television before.
And of course the naturalistic style of Peter Falk fed right into that. (We were from Brooklyn, so always rooted for the characters with New York accents.) The other thing I remember after more than 40 years was this friction between the two key characters: Peter Falk and Inger Stevens. I know his truck driver character was in a rush to get his load of tomatoes to market. It was a beautiful, emotional story and I wish I had access to it on DVD or somewhere so I could see it again.
And of course the naturalistic style of Peter Falk fed right into that. (We were from Brooklyn, so always rooted for the characters with New York accents.) The other thing I remember after more than 40 years was this friction between the two key characters: Peter Falk and Inger Stevens. I know his truck driver character was in a rush to get his load of tomatoes to market. It was a beautiful, emotional story and I wish I had access to it on DVD or somewhere so I could see it again.
memorable
lottieduff21 February 2009
I remember seeing this on TV. I think this was a rerun, sometime in the 60,s. The subject matter was deemed too old for me to watch, but the parents let me, because it was, after all, Dick Powell Theatre. The show was riveting. I remember looking at the end of the teleplay, to see who was the actor who played the truck driver...some guy named Peter Falk. That was the first time I had ever done that...consciously sought to know an actor's real name because of their performance. I, too, hope we get this on DVD some day. I knew Inger Stevens, but this Falk guy, his performance really stunned me. Some years later, he appeared in the Columbo series...what a treat. God Bless you, Mr. Falk.
Outstanding television
falconer991 July 2016
I remember having seen this around when it was first shown on British television. I must have been about 12. I remember I was very impressed by the writing (Richard Alan Simmons), and it may have been this episode that made me want to write (my third book is just out). The direction (painfully at night), the score (Leith Stevens), and Falk and Stevens are all brilliant, and the whole thing just, well, comes together superbly. Nobody ever seems to mention Le Salaire de la Peur (Henri-Georges Clouzot), which must have been at the back of Simmons' mind when he wrote this! I assume the title is an homage. But there was quite a lot of quality pioneering television being made back then, even in America. i suppose it's just that they've run out of ideas now.
for The Price of Tomatoes
p_a_talbot-18 January 2009
I just was looking at the list of Peter Falk's movies because I was reading where it said that his daughter says he has Alzheimer's and doesn't know anyone anymore. Peter Falk, I have adored all my life. So, I had to come and look at his movies list.
There are many movies on the list that there is no problem with them bringing tears to my eyes, but the one that I've heard about all my life (ok, since I was five), but never seen, was "The Price of Tomatoes." I have been told the story of the movie and that Peter Falk was the driver of the truck that picked up the woman (Inger Stevens) and took her to the hospital. Mind you I'm sitting here crying thinking about the Alzheimer's, how badly I've always wanted to see this movie, and at the same time, I can't help laughing because Inger Stevens as the woman just sounds like such a polar opposite to play against.... And this tells me it had to be better than I could have ever imagined it. Which makes me wish all the more that I could have seen it. I've voted 10 on the basis of what I've been told for 50 years and seeing that Inger Stevens and Alejandro Rey were in it, too.
(Funny...took "The Flying Nun" to make Alejandro Rey well known to a lot of us.)
There are many movies on the list that there is no problem with them bringing tears to my eyes, but the one that I've heard about all my life (ok, since I was five), but never seen, was "The Price of Tomatoes." I have been told the story of the movie and that Peter Falk was the driver of the truck that picked up the woman (Inger Stevens) and took her to the hospital. Mind you I'm sitting here crying thinking about the Alzheimer's, how badly I've always wanted to see this movie, and at the same time, I can't help laughing because Inger Stevens as the woman just sounds like such a polar opposite to play against.... And this tells me it had to be better than I could have ever imagined it. Which makes me wish all the more that I could have seen it. I've voted 10 on the basis of what I've been told for 50 years and seeing that Inger Stevens and Alejandro Rey were in it, too.
(Funny...took "The Flying Nun" to make Alejandro Rey well known to a lot of us.)
Thank You
exdus26 December 2016
I have been searching for years for this movie. Saw original on Dick Powell's Theater. Love Peter Falk. I try to watch "Columbo" every day on ME TV. I am currently reading "Just One More Thing" by Peter Falk. I have learned sooo much about him. Gonna look for more of his earlier stuff. You have no idea how excited I am about finding and seeing this movie. I am like a kid in a candy store. Now that I have found Dick Powell's Theater, I will be watching many of those shows/movies too. This was one of the greatest Christmas gifts ever. With the internet, I have been able to locate more things that I used to enjoy from my youth. This was a treasured gem. Peter Falk was outstanding in this film. Hope everyone enjoys it that sees it as much as I did.
memorable
clarksmc4 June 2010
I also saw this episode as a child. It still stands out in my memory. It was the first time I saw Peter Falk. What a strong impression he made. There was nothing spectacular in the movie....just incredibly interesting performances. Inger Stevens played a very sympathetic character opposite Mr. Falk's harried truck driver. It was shot at night and I think it was raining during much of the film. It had a somewhat gloomy atmosphere but, if memory serves, I think Peter Falks acting was at times mildly comedic. Like others, I wish I could see this again. I would recommend it to anyone. That should complete the required ten lines.
This was memorable
tabari12 July 2008
I was only a young teen when this episode was shown, but some of it remains stuck in my mind.
Like the earlier posting, I would love to see it again, DVD or shown on TV. It really doesn't matter.....I would just like to see it as I would love to see many of the other early shows. There was so much excellence that was shown back in the 60's and 50's with actors and actresses who later became big name stars. "The Price of Tomatoes" was one such show and Peter Falk's performance made me sit up and take notice. He was not anyone known at that time, but when he later began to show up on the "big screen", that TV role was one that made you want to see him again. Obviously it made an impression, as I can remember it and the name of the TV play over 40 years later :)
Like the earlier posting, I would love to see it again, DVD or shown on TV. It really doesn't matter.....I would just like to see it as I would love to see many of the other early shows. There was so much excellence that was shown back in the 60's and 50's with actors and actresses who later became big name stars. "The Price of Tomatoes" was one such show and Peter Falk's performance made me sit up and take notice. He was not anyone known at that time, but when he later began to show up on the "big screen", that TV role was one that made you want to see him again. Obviously it made an impression, as I can remember it and the name of the TV play over 40 years later :)
Over 50 years later, an unforgettable performance.
al-587-92396420 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I find the reviews of this 1962 TV program a remarkable tribute to Peter Falk that ring true and help me recall in more detail this memorable performance. Let me add to the details others have already contributed. My most vivid memory is a line by the truck driver at a climactic moment which I can only paraphrase is this.
Look lady, I can't. If I don't get these tomatoes to market on time, the tomatoes, the business, the truck, everything goes!
It is sad to think that in this age of technology, such a uniquely memorable performance is confined to our collective memory. Here's hoping this exists in some archive and will some day be made available.
Look lady, I can't. If I don't get these tomatoes to market on time, the tomatoes, the business, the truck, everything goes!
It is sad to think that in this age of technology, such a uniquely memorable performance is confined to our collective memory. Here's hoping this exists in some archive and will some day be made available.
Perishable goods
bkoganbing27 February 2017
Peter Falk borrowed a bit from his portrayal Joy Boy one of Glenn Ford's henchmen in Pocketful Of Miracles for this story from Dick Powell's last anthology series, the Dick Powell Theater.
In this story Falk is your average working stiff with a slow burn like JoyBoy who is a truckdriver. He's contracted to deliver a load of tomatoes for a market and he's competing with another driver to get their first. As we know tomatoes are a perishable item. Still he picks up a pregnant Inger Stevens who is hitchhiking.
Although he's kicking and screaming all the way, Falk kind of makes her problems his. I think you know where this is going.
Nervous and excitable Falk is far from the laid back Lt.Columbo who just patiently reels his suspects in. He and Inger Stevens worked well together and you can't leave Falk for a minute when he's on screen.
A great job, a must for their legion of fans.
In this story Falk is your average working stiff with a slow burn like JoyBoy who is a truckdriver. He's contracted to deliver a load of tomatoes for a market and he's competing with another driver to get their first. As we know tomatoes are a perishable item. Still he picks up a pregnant Inger Stevens who is hitchhiking.
Although he's kicking and screaming all the way, Falk kind of makes her problems his. I think you know where this is going.
Nervous and excitable Falk is far from the laid back Lt.Columbo who just patiently reels his suspects in. He and Inger Stevens worked well together and you can't leave Falk for a minute when he's on screen.
A great job, a must for their legion of fans.
You say tomato but I say tomato!
kapelusznik1820 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS**** Peter Falk is truck driver Art Fresco who's to deliver a truck load of tomato's-From the state of Texas- to his fruit & vegetable open air market in Cincinnati Ohio who somehow gets stuck with wetback hitchhiker, from Comunist Romania,Anna Beza played by Swedish Inger Stevens who's also with child that's due to pop out or be born at any moment. At first Art want's to drop off Anna at the nearest bus station with enough cash to pay for a ride to San Francisco where she's planning to go but soon gets stuck on her to the point where he risks his life as well as truck and the tomato's in it to get Anna to a hospital for her baby, that turns out to be a boy, to be born.
Fine interaction between Falk & Stevens that makes the episode work with Falk as Art Fresco tries to get Ingar Stevens, as Anna Beza, to the nearest hospital maternity ward to give birth. That's after she tried to get the job done by this quack doctor Clement Connell,William Challee, who if Art didn't stop him on time from operating on her would have ended up killing both Anna together with her new born baby with his quack-like medical methods.
***SPOILERS***As things were to turn out Art's actions in taking Anna for a ride to the nearest bust stop for a trip to SF, as well as hospital, was the best thing to happen to him. Not only by saving Anna from being arrested and jailed with her soon to be born baby, by the US border petrol, but also in humanizing the hardened truck driver to the finer thing in life like helping his fellow man, or in this case woman, in their greatest hour of need. It also turned out to help him get his load of tomatoes to the market on time despite all the police road blocks and damaged bridges and washed out highways he was to be faced with. That by having his rival fellow tomato truck hauler break down on his way to Cincinnati-By an act of God no less- giving Art a clear and unobstructed road to make it there first before he did.
Fine interaction between Falk & Stevens that makes the episode work with Falk as Art Fresco tries to get Ingar Stevens, as Anna Beza, to the nearest hospital maternity ward to give birth. That's after she tried to get the job done by this quack doctor Clement Connell,William Challee, who if Art didn't stop him on time from operating on her would have ended up killing both Anna together with her new born baby with his quack-like medical methods.
***SPOILERS***As things were to turn out Art's actions in taking Anna for a ride to the nearest bust stop for a trip to SF, as well as hospital, was the best thing to happen to him. Not only by saving Anna from being arrested and jailed with her soon to be born baby, by the US border petrol, but also in humanizing the hardened truck driver to the finer thing in life like helping his fellow man, or in this case woman, in their greatest hour of need. It also turned out to help him get his load of tomatoes to the market on time despite all the police road blocks and damaged bridges and washed out highways he was to be faced with. That by having his rival fellow tomato truck hauler break down on his way to Cincinnati-By an act of God no less- giving Art a clear and unobstructed road to make it there first before he did.
Real Title?
ashworth_c3 December 2011
I remember this episode and it had a life long effect on me. I became a fan of Peter Falk the night I watched this. But I always remembered the title as "What Price Tomatoes?" And I got the impression that PF was nominated for an Emmy for his role but I can't find any evidence of it. He deserved the Emmy in my opinion, that's for sure. This was a powerful drama and his performance was heart rending. I keep looking for it to be on television on Retro TV or some other network like TV Land, but I haven't been able to so far. I vaguely remember some of the details, the grittiness of the his truck and his initial reticence in providing anything other than a ride to the girl. Some of the writing during that period of time is some of the best in television history, and this is a prime example.
"The Price of Tomatoes-" Dimitre Fresco -Peter Falk
francodomenico30 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this only one time, when I was about 10 years old, and frankly I was so moved by Peter Falk's performance. He played an Italian-American truck driver working in the Produce Business, and he came across a very "expecting mother to be" and a myriad of vignettes ensued. That is all I remember, except for the very last scene, I think he was in competition to get his produce to market before a competitor was attempting to do the same, and after the delays and Peter Falk's worry during the mishaps and his own delays, he passes one of this major competitors who had a break-down on the way, and Peter Falk shouts, "Get a Horse-" in closing scene.
Peter Falk was truly one of America's gems during that time. I became a fan of his since that very day I saw that episode.
It's nearly 52 years ago since I first saw that, and it left a lasting impression on me, particularly since I am of Italian-American heritage-
Peter Falk was truly one of America's gems during that time. I became a fan of his since that very day I saw that episode.
It's nearly 52 years ago since I first saw that, and it left a lasting impression on me, particularly since I am of Italian-American heritage-
The Price of Tomatoes with Peter Falk and Inger Stevens
wmiksovsky9 July 2017
As young as I was (9) I remember this story. As far as I'm concerned it made Peter Falk a star. The next day people were talking about this show. Falk had one line in it that was never heard before but is so common today. He said, "What are you, some kind of a nut?" After that show, people were saying that every day to someone. It became a catchphrase of the early 60's. I'm shocked that there isn't a high level DVD quality copy of this play and that it isn't run annually like Wizard of Oz or Wonderful Life. It's a great morality play.
A great movie
gqiy10 August 2021
I was young when I saw this --I am 68. I remember this was so sweet and beautifully acted. A touching story that took you to an unfamiliar place. I miss beautifully acted, written stories without the crappy Hollywood underlying social justice crap.
Can't Forget It!
luckymackypacky11 April 2021
I, too, was young when seeing this project and, like others, it remains in my mind to this day. A foggy memory at best, but yet it lingers due to the acting of Peter Falk. I truly wish I had the chance to see it again as an adult so I could fully brush away the cobwebs and appreciate the fullness of its entirety.
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