A glorious example of what live TV used to be

Though originally in Live and in Color, a B&W kine-scope of this production survives. The video I've seen is grainy and lacking contrast, but the sound is surprisingly good. Broadcast on April 28, 1957.

This presentation had one heck of a Broadway pedigree. Franz Allers, the conductor, was the musical director for Paint Your Wagon, My Fair Lady and Camelot on Broadway. Barbara Cook (Elsie) was in the original casts of Candide, She Loves Me, The Music Man, etc, etc., and she played Anna in the 1960 revival of The King and I. Henry Calvin (Wilfred) was also in Kismet and in the TV adventure series Zorro (Sgt. Garcia) from 1957-59. Muriel O'Malley (Carruthers) starred in the original production of Allegro (Grandmother) in 1947.

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Hallmark's adaptation is very impressive, especially given the limitations of the TV technology of the time. It was shot live on a large sound stage, with a two or three camera shoot. The TV direction is excellent, with very good camera handling and no awkward cuts. The interesting multi-level set allows for both external Tower Green scenes and scenes shot inside (cross-section of) the Meryll house and Cholmondeley's office. There is good choreography, and the show seems very well rehearsed.

The production, running 80 minutes, is abridged . The tale is narrated by Jack Point in a series of very well-written monologues. Generally, characters deliver abridged dialog, some over introductions to numbers, probably to save time.

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