Richard Burton's Hamlet

Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers, 1964. Five vintage studio still photographs from the 1964 film. Includes an intricate diagram of the process, "Electronovision," used to film the stage play.

With sparse set design and a total absence of period costuming, director John Gielgud's ultra-minimal staging of "Hamlet" proved entirely new for New York audiences, and was ultimately wildly successful, achieving the longest run for the play in Broadway history at 137 performances. Actor Richard Burton received a Tony nomination for his performance as the tragic prince, and actor Hume Cronyn won a Tony for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play.

A filmed version of the play was created by recording three live performances on the then-new technology of Electronovision and editing them into a single film. Although considered lost for many years, the film was rediscovered and restored in 1995 by producer and director Paul Brownstein.

8 x 10 inches. Near Fine.

[Book #171380]