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Tail Gunner Joe is a 1977 television movie dramatizing the life of U.S. Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, a Wisconsin Republican who claimed knowledge of communist infiltration of the U.S. government during the 1950s. The film was broadcast on NBC-TV. It was nominated for six Emmy awards and won two: best writing and best supporting actor for Burgess Meredith's portrayal of attorney Joseph Welch. It starred Peter Boyle and John Forsythe. Robert F. Simon appeared as liberal journalist Drew Pearson.
Original Release
02/06/1977
US Release
02/06/1977
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Peter Boyle | Joe McCarthy / Joseph McCarthy |
| John Forsythe | Paul Cunningham |
| Heather Menzies-Urich | Logan |
| Burgess Meredith | Joseph Welch |
| Patricia Neal | Sen. Margaret Chase Smith / Margaret Chase Smith |
| Jean Stapleton | Mrs. DeCamp |
| Philip Abbott | Sen. Scott Lucas / Scott Lucas |
| Wesley Addy | Middleton |
| Ned Beatty | Sylvester |
| Karen Carlson | Jean Kerr |
Directors
Writers
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Peter Boyle | Joe McCarthy / Joseph McCarthy |
| John Forsythe | Paul Cunningham |
| Heather Menzies-Urich | Logan |
| Burgess Meredith | Joseph Welch |
| Patricia Neal | Sen. Margaret Chase Smith / Margaret Chase Smith |
| Jean Stapleton | Mrs. DeCamp |
| Philip Abbott | Sen. Scott Lucas / Scott Lucas |
| Wesley Addy | Middleton |
| Ned Beatty | Sylvester |
| Karen Carlson | Jean Kerr |
| John Carradine | Wisconsin Farmer |
| Charles Cioffi | Logan's Boss |
| Diana Douglas | Sarah |
| Andrew Duggan | Dwight Eisenhower |
| Henry Jones | Armitage |
| Murray Matheson | Publisher |
| Allan Miller | Pete |
| Tim O'Connor | Librarian |
| Alan Oppenheimer | Eisenhower Publicist |
| Addison Powell | General George C. Marshall |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| George Eckstein | Producer |
| Norman Chandler Fox | Producer |
Editors
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 1977 | Emmy | Outstanding Cinematography in Entertainment Programming for a Special | Nominated |
| 1977 | Emmy | Outstanding Directing in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy | Nominated |
| 1977 | Emmy | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special | Nominated |
| 1977 | Emmy | Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Special | Won |
| 1977 | Emmy | Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Special | Nominated |
| 1977 | Emmy | Outstanding Writing in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy - Original Teleplay | Won |
