Mark Twain Tonight (1967) Review

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(More customer reviews)Having seen Hal Holbrook perform live in Mark Twain Tonight, I was delighted to aquire the DVD of his 1967 television broadcast performance. I have long believed, and this DVD confirms that Mark Twain Tonight is easily one of the greatest treasures of the American stage in the last half of the 20th Century. That Mr. Holbrook has performed Mark Twain every year since 1954, in over 2000 shows, is nothing short of miraculous. This 90 minute performance brings the wisdom, humor and humanity of one of the most morally insightful men of the 19th century to life. His words continue to be as hilarious, poignant and relevent in the 21st century as they were in his own time.

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Give 'em Hell, Harry (1975) Review

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(More customer reviews)This play has three criteria for success: a good script, a masterful performance by a talented actor who looks a great deal like the subject and excellent original material. In my opinion, Harry Truman was the second best president of the twentieth century, slightly behind Franklin Roosevelt. Incredibly courageous, self-confident and yet humble, he did more to win the cold war than anyone else.
I laughed a deep belly laugh at some of the jokes, but if you are not familiar with the history of the times, you might not understand them. There is also a great deal of passion in the play. Whitmore's rendition of the "conversation" between Truman and General Douglas Macarthur is intense and very close to historically accurate. I found myself picturing the look of astonishment that must have been on the General's face when the little man that he felt was so beneath him had the temerity to dress him down. I do not know if Truman really visited a Klan rally and denounced their bigotry, if he did he showed a good deal more courage than he did sense. But as theater, it is masterful drama and I found myself wishing that he was indeed foolish enough to do it.
This is one of the best plays that I have ever seen. It deals with a man and a segment of history that drastically altered the course of human events. While short, Truman was a giant of a man and here you see some of the feistiness that made him great. Historical dramatizations rarely move me, but this one did.

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