1/18/2012

The Royal Family (Broadway Theatre Archive) (1977) Review

The Royal Family (Broadway Theatre Archive) (1977)
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This one is a treasure. I saw it first many years ago on Great Performances on PBS. The cast is amazing, and the direction is superb. The talents of Rosemary Harris and Keene Curtis and all the rest are unparalleled. There are too few chances to enjoy these mostly stage actors. But most satisfying is the rare opportunity to watch the magnificent Eva LaGallienne in action. She was one of the all time greatest performers on the American stage. She started in the '20s as an ingenue -- playing on her youth and good looks while learning her craft to perfection. Later she became a producer, built theaters, and took on other roles traditionally closed to women of the time. Here she was already in her mid-70s, but her talent is unmistakeable. She remained active until her death at 93. (Look her up on the Internet if you don't believe me.)
Few televised plays have ever been this successful. It is classic comedy in its truest sense. I'm excited that this marvelous comedy has made it to DVD. Get it and enjoy.

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George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber collaborated on this 1927 hit comedy about an eminent and slightly eccentric theatrical clan. A Barrymore-like brood, the Cavendishes are as flamboyant offstage as they are on. Their real-life family drama occurs in a Manhattan apartment when the grand matriarch, Fanny Cavendish, learns that her daughter and granddaughter may both be giving up the stage for marriage. Theatre legends Rosemary Harris, Eva LeGallienne, Sam Levene and Ellis Rabb have great fun portraying characters they know all too well from their years on stage.

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