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The Odd Couple
S3.E4
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IMDbPro

The Pen Is Mightier Than the Pencil

  • Episode aired Oct 6, 1972
  • TV-PG
  • 26m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
96
YOUR RATING
Jack Klugman and Tony Randall in The Odd Couple (1970)
Comedy

Felix takes a writing class and gets showered with praise for writing horrible poetry.Felix takes a writing class and gets showered with praise for writing horrible poetry.Felix takes a writing class and gets showered with praise for writing horrible poetry.

  • Director
    • Robert Birnbaum
  • Writers
    • Neil Simon
    • Jack Winter
  • Stars
    • Tony Randall
    • Jack Klugman
    • Elliott Reid
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    96
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Birnbaum
    • Writers
      • Neil Simon
      • Jack Winter
    • Stars
      • Tony Randall
      • Jack Klugman
      • Elliott Reid
    • 1User review
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top Cast7

    Edit
    Tony Randall
    Tony Randall
    • Felix Unger
    Jack Klugman
    Jack Klugman
    • Oscar Madison
    Elliott Reid
    Elliott Reid
    • Gerard Ferguson
    Elinor Donahue
    Elinor Donahue
    • Miriam Welby
    Wally Cox
    Wally Cox
    • Mr. Fegivney
    Phil Leeds
    Phil Leeds
    • Mr. Katleman
    Tracy Reed
    Tracy Reed
    • Mrs. Flood
    • Director
      • Robert Birnbaum
    • Writers
      • Neil Simon
      • Jack Winter
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    8.196
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    Featured reviews

    Jimmy_the_Gent4

    Felix thinks he is a poet

    Felix is taking a creative writing course and Oscar is forced to listen to his bad poetry.

    A funny episode with Oscar driven crazy by Felix and his rhyming exercises, going around the apartment saying "Fruit! Boot! Loot! Suit!" There is a cameo appearance by Tony Randall's former co star Wally Cox, playing a meek looking man in his writing class who writes about a torrid love affair.

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For this episode, a bathroom has replaced Felix's bedroom directly across the hall from Oscar's bedroom.
    • Quotes

      Felix Unger: [Felix has just returned from his first night at his writing class. His assignment is to write 200 words based on something he saw on his way home that night. We see Felix in Oscar's bedroom] After class was over, I was walking home - the streets were deserted. I had the city all to myself. I could commune with my thoughts. As I passed that construction site - on 68th street, suddenly

      [Felix gets manic]

      Felix Unger: I was frozen! I couldn't move!

      Oscar Madison: [Quizzically] Wet cement?

      Felix Unger: Oscar - I wrote this poem; 'Ode To a Skyscraper'.

      [Oscar stares blankly at Felix, as he proceeds to read his poem]

      Felix Unger: 'Born from the rubble that lies there / nutured through snow and through rain / by men whose only companions / are derrick, and shovel, and crane. / Center for great institutions / place where conglomerates grow / yet home for the little cigar shop / with the candies - all in a row.

      [Felix gets very dramatic with his reading, his voice getting louder]

      Felix Unger: Seven - seven - seven, they will call you / towards heaven, heaven, heaven you will soar! / Only God can make a tree, I will grant you / but only man can make a 40th floor.

      Felix Unger: [Felix can hardly contain his pride] What do you think?

      Felix Unger: [Oscar scratches his neck] You can't talk, it leaves you speechless! Oh, I knew it would! Oscar, I made a copy for you!

      Oscar Madison: I'll put it in a very appropriate place.

      [Felix leaves the room ecstatic, while Oscar shuffles toward the bathroom to 'deposit' Felix's poem]

    • Connections
      Referenced in Young Doctors in Love (1982)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 6, 1972 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 26m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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