Martin Balsam/Leif Erickson Role Pairing Notes

In the seminal film, “On The Waterfront,” (1954) one could call it good cop/bad cop as the former Leif Erickson and the not so nice or bad Martin Balsam played Crime Commission investigators, talk with Marlon Brando’s “Terry Malloy.” (There is a fine actor named Terry Molloy).

Erickson, told “those guys will do anything to win a bet” by Marlon/”Terry” recalls watching the fixed fight and agrees with Terry that indeed he did have “Wilson?” figured out.

Balsam’s character, listed as “Gillette,” is more business like, to say the least.

I noted the coincidence of Balsam and Erickson working together, this time as the stars along with Norma Crane, three or so years later on an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” called “The Equalizer.” (Did they not make a show by that name years later, a safe bet being it was not nearly as good, though I like Queen Latifah, its star).

In the “Hitch” episode Balsam and Erickson are enemies. Anyone see any other noting of the two paired again three or so years later. Please send it here via the comments.

Closest to “us,” left to right, Marlon Brando and Leif Erickson.

Behind them, shown in between is Martin Balsam.

Balsam seated, Erickson standing in the “Hitch” episode which aired on CBS, Sunday night February 9, 1958.

On the next Sunday February 9th, also on CBS, a certain group appeared here on television for the first time on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

‘Twas 1964 and Sullivan intoned, “stretching” “The Beatles !!!”