The fundamental theme in this film is so flawed that it is not a particularly good movie...and it's a shame as I love Edward G. Robinson and really wanted to love "The Old Man Who Cried Wolf".When the story begins, Emile (Robinson) goes to visit an old friend he hasn't seen in many years, Abe (Sam Jaffe). However, a man comes into Abe's shop and beats him with a rubber hose and steals the $1000 he'd been saving to send to family back in Poland. Now here's the part that just didn't ring true. Emile is beaten as well and when he awakens the police immediately assume that Abe died of natural causes and there was no attacker. At the same time, a really annoying neighbor woman vehemently denies anyone else had been there and says that Abe never had $1000 in cash. How would she know this since she wasn't there?! Yet, inexplicably the entire case is chalked up to an old man losing his faculties...even though he never had a history of mental impairment. Plus, the intensity at which the nasty neighbor insisted nothing happened is very suspicious in and of itself. Yet, oddly, folks assume Emile is confabulating this story. It just defies common sense and essentially ruined the film. Why should he have to prove he ISN'T demented and why does everyone ignore him?!So is there anything about this film worth seeing? Well, Robinson's performance is quite good as he was the consummate professional. But it's also so very sad that he wasn't given a better written story. Provide REAL reasons for folks to not believe Emile or at least build up to this better. Instead, it seems as if part of the story is missing...like they forgot to explain why people didn't believe Emile. Fortunately, this was not his final film as it would have been sad if this was his final film considering his terrific battery of work.

"The Old Man who Cried Wolf" was a TV movie made in 1970. Starring Edward G. Robinson and Martin Balsam, as father and son, it's a story of fear, sorrow and courage.Edward G. had proved himself as an actor long before this was made. He played mobsters, editors, doctors, cops, G-men, farmers, ranchers, Nazi-hunters and a Monk. Looking at his film resume I think he was a very busy actor. Having seen most of his movies I think he was a very talented actor.Martin Balsam has been a stand-up character actor for many years. "12 Angry Men" (1957) was a favorite of mine. "Raid on Entebbe" (1977) was also good.In this movie, Emile Pulska (Edward G.) was an elderly gentleman who went to visit his old friend, Abe Stillman (Sam Jaffe). During their visit the men are attacked by a "thug" and Emile is knocked out. When Emile awakens, in the hospital, he learns that his friend is dead. He tells his story to Stanley, his son, and the police. He was concerned about the beating, and Abe's death, but he wasn't believed. Abe died of "natural causes". Just ask the only surviving witness.Once it was learned by the "thug" that Emile survived the attack the old gentleman's life was not worth a "plug nickel". Since he was not believed, by his family or the authorities, Emile had no choice but to help himself. He wasn't safe because he was being stalked. By whom? The creep? Someone who might want to protect the creep? Hummm, good question don't you think? A very worthwhile "ABC Movie of the Week".

I have watched this movie a long time ago, but i have a vivid memory of it. It was often mentioned as an example for how a thriller should be made. This is TV at his best - it will not get any better. Everything is perfect - plot, direction, and what a performance by Robinson, Balsam and the rest! Robinson shows that he was capable of much more than playing mob bosses. Balsam is one of the most underrated character actors of his time. I can hardly count all the movies he was in, and in every single one he delivered a solid performance. I earlier days "The old man who cried wolf" was considered a classic and aired often. Sadly i never saw it on VHS or DVD. I also did not hear that it was aired lately on any major TV Station.

The only thing worse than to be a child and be disbelieved that you have witnessed a crime which has put your life in danger is to be an old man in the same situation. A tour de force performance by Robinson might just be the highlight of his later career. Balsam is excellent as the son. Asner does a good turn as a bureaucrat, and Percy Rodrigues is totally chilling in his portrayal. A great paranoia flick.