Summary

The PBS series Great Performances first presented the made-for-TV feature Seize the Day. The time is the success-driven 1950s; Robin plays Tommy Wilhelm, a middle-ager who has just lost his salesman's job. Tommy's wife Katharine Borowitz, on the verge of divorce, fully intends to take him to the cleaners whether he has an income or not. Doctor Adler, Tommy's judgmental father, cannot abide having a failure in the family and refuses to lend his son a single penny. In desperation, Tommy heads to New York City, where his old wheeler-dealer pal Dr. Tamkin has promised him a job. Even there, however, Tommy is defeated by the cold-shoulder treatment afforded him by the people whose opinions he values most.

Quotes

Tommy
Screw you, Mr. Rojax! You fat bastard!

Tommy
Kiddy crap! Kiddy crap! You never even loved that dog!

Old woman
Did you push the button?
Tommy
Yes. He's... going on the floor.
Old woman
What can I do? He's old... he can't hold it so good.