TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 11:30 p.m. (ET)/8:30 p.m. (PT) PAPA'S DELICATE CONDITION (1963) In turn-of-the-century Grangeville, Texas, where the words "drunk" and "alcoholic" fell too harshly on the ears, Jack "Papa" Griffith was known to have a "delicate condition" in which a few drinks would send him spinning into erratic behavior. Paramount's Papa's Delicate Condition offers Jackie Gleason, as Papa, ample opportunities for clowning as well as moments of pathos. Gleason's tipsy character is based on the father of silent screen star Corinne Griffith as described in her autobiographical book. Griffith (1896-1979), celebrated as "the world's most beautiful woman" before Hedy Lamarr inherited the title in the talkie era, did not fare well in sound films because of her thin voice. After retiring from the movies, she turned to writing, producing a dozen successful books including Papa's Delicate Condition and investing her money wisely in real estate - thus providing happy contradiction to a studio chief who once called her "beautiful but dumb." The plot of Papa's Delicate Condition turns on the doting Jack's attempt to buy a pony for six-year-old Corinne (Linda Bruhl), which results in his purchasing an entire broken-down, debt-ridden circus. This proves too much for wife Glynis Johns, who packs up the kids and heads for her family home in Texarkana (Griffith's real-life birthplace). Jack follows with the entire circus in pursuit to win back his family. Papa's impulsive yet charming ways are neatly summed up by the tune "Call Me Irresponsible," which became a popular hit and won Oscars for Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn as Best Original Song. Gleason is said to have based his performance on Aubrey Piper, a character in his favorite play, George Kelly's The Show-Off - a man who constantly fouls up but is so loving and needful of affection that he is forgiven anything. Director George Marshall claimed that Gleason's work was worthy of an Oscar, and was surprised when his star failed even to win a nomination. According to Gleason biographer W. J. Weatherby, Marshall particularly admired "Gleason's success in doing what was generally impossible in movies - stealing a scene from a child. He even did it with his back to the cameras. All eyes were on him, not the child actor, as he stole another drink." Producer: Jack Rose Director: George Marshall Screenplay: Jack Rose, from book by Corinne Griffith Art Direction: Arthur Lonergan, Hal Pereira Costume Design: Edith Head Cinematography: Loyal Griggs Editing: Frank Keller Original Music: Joseph J. Lilley, Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn (song lyrics) Principal Cast: Jackie Gleason (Jack Griffith), Glynis Johns (Amberlyn Griffith), Charles Ruggles (Anthony Ghio), Laurel Goodwin (Augusta Griffith), Lindah Bruhl (Corrie), Ned Glass (Mr. Sparrow), Murray Hamilton (Mr. Harvey), Elisha Cook Jr. (Mr. Keith), Dickie Moore (Joseph Meister). C-98m. By Roger Fristoe