"Picnic" - Original B'way Cast on "The Ed Sullivan Show"
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2017
- The original Broadway cast of William Inge's Pulitzer Prize winning play, PICNIC on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1953. The cast includes Eileen Heckart, Ralph Meeker, Kim Stanley and Janice Rule. For more rare clips like this, subscribe to my channel.
Ohhh what a treat...a stage FULL of wonderful actors.....l would have LOVED to have seen that production ..lm a big MEEKER fan...a man's man.....l remember growing up there were.akways.live dramas on TV ..l esp remember ETHAN FROMe w/Julie Harris....oh they were wonderful.......what's on NOW....NOTHING!!!!.
Thank you, thank you! Kim Stanley! Ralph Meeker and Janice Rule! Eileen Heckart. This is magic; thank you for posting.
They don't do TV like this anymore. We are all the poorer for it.
What an absolute treasure of an upload!! At least a few of those old kinescopes came through, after all. My gawd, what we wouldn't give today to have entire warehouses full of preserved footage from live theatrical stage performances (including TV programs filmed on the live stage) from the early 1950's. This is beyond delight. What a keeper!! Thank you very much.
2:15 - Ralph Meeker feigning a bashful girl being asked to dance - so natural, spontaneous, perfect! 2:30 - Kim Stanley speaks! Such an unusual actor she was, one of kind, strange and wonderful! I am so happy to have seen this clip.
Wow, the strength of the writing and directing and performances transcend the time-muffled medium with extraordinary articulateness. Taste in styles change in all of the above of course, but what these artists achieved here retains its impressive power.
I thought it was horrible.
Meeker was a great actor. A real man's man. I always thought that Janice Rule was a truly steaming beauty. This clip reinforces that!
You can see the steam coming out of Meeker and Rule's ears.
They're all so much in the moment. All that talent in front of one camera.
Thanks for posting this; I never thought I'd see footage from the OBC of "Picnic". Young Ralph Meeker was so hot, and way more charismatic than Brando, IMHO. Also, a production that featured young Paul Newman -- and he was *not* the "sexy one"? Lol
What a treat to be able to see a little bit of your mother in this iconic role!
Thanks, Mitchell! I was thrilled when I stumbled across this! Hope you enjoy my other upcoming posts. Cheers, Luke
What is the reference to "your mother"? Is there a family connection here?
Luke: Eileen Heckart is, AS ALWAYS, SUPERB!!!
WHOS MOTHER???
Ralph Meeker had the moves! Who knew?
What I like about this post, Luke, is that there was a time when shows like Ed Sullivan actually showcased a fine Broadway play. Where does this happen on television anymore. Fortunately, you and I still got to see programming of this sort while we were still young.
True, Christopher! Thanks for subscribing! I've got other fun stuff on the way!
I, in the Dark Ages That's what it is all now. Be a Self-programer Your own television. Your own producer and live the proper era. Your own. Janice Rule as Queen! Your own era. Not these dark dismal failures of today.
Wow. What a gem
Aahh, magic!
Thanks!
Woah...I'm a huge picnic 🧺 aficionado.. never knew this was Broadway . very cool 😎
Wow this is great. Thanks for posting. Your mother was a terrific actress. I loved her in everything she ever did. Especially The Bad Seed. And then later as Aunt Flo on MTM. She was unforgettable.
I know that people are obsessed with the William Holden performance , but this is really mesmerizing! What would really make a stage play stand out.
Thanks, Juan! I agree!
I thought William Holden film was anticlimax Janice Rule makes anything she's in.
oh my gosh your mom was Eileen Heckart! Marvelous! Thank you for all these wonderful and priceless clips. And yes thanks to Ed S too.....
Glad you enjoyed it
A piece of theatre history. Thanks for posting Luke.
My pleasure, sir! I'm going to be posting lots of other cool stuff, so I hope you'll subscribe to my channel. Thanks!
Wish you could get a snip of Meeker in "Streetcar Named Desire". Probably impossible.
Saw a tribute to Meeker on You Tube. Thought there was a small clip of him as Kowalski, but I might be wrong.......
There's a quick picture and you can google the program from the play. Tennessee Williams said that he, not Brando, was the quintessential Stanley: "My idea of Stanley."
@@michaelbouquet9838 It is a photo from the play, in which Meeker took over the role originally played by Marlon Brando. Apparently, some critics considered Meeker's portrayal to have been truer to Tennessee Williams's conception of the character. What I wouldn't give to have seen both Meeker and Brando's portrayals.
Great clip. Thanks.
Original Broadway cast included Arthur O'Connell as Howard (repeated the role in the film) and Paul Newman as Madge's local boyfriend Allen. Janice Rule is amazing.
In 1953:
Janice Rule was 22
Ralph Meeker was 33
Eileen Heckart was 34
Kim Stanley was 28
Paul Newman was 28
Thank you for these dates. My mother was Eileen Heckart.
Must have been fun being Ralph Meeker and Janice Rule, falling in love on stage every night.
ALTHOUGH THE FILM VERSION WAS A MORE POLISHED VERSION, I ALWAYS FELT (AND SO DID HOLDEN HIMSELF) THAT A YOUNGER MAN SHOULD HAVE PLAYED THE HOLDEN ROLE....HE WAS MOVING INTO HIS LATE THIRTIES IN 1955 AND THE ROLE WAS WRITTEN FOR A 25 YEAR OLD...BUT HE DELIVERED AS HE ALWAYS DID...A FINE ACTOR, WILLIAM HOLDEN...
The film was awful.
I'm a big fan of the movie Picnic and especially the Moonglow/Picnic dance sequence. Despite the limitations of early TV and Kinescopes, the intent and sexual tension really shows through. I really appreciate Ralph Meeker much more than I did before. I'm really gonna try to watch more of his movies. His youth in this play really makes Holden look old and in reality Meeker was only a couple of years younger than Holden. This was a very popular play in '52-'54. Didn't anybody film it??????
They didn't film plays very often back then. To my knowledge, this is the only footage from the play that exists.
The movie was my all time favorite ! My most favorite since 1956. The cast was perfect ! The camera work by James Howe Wong was beautiful. Any production before and after the Hollywood version was complimentary but never be compared with. Kim Novak was sexy as Madge and Holden was perfect for her ! George Wu, ARCHITECT, AIA, NCARB 2018-2-27
SHUT UP YA SAP
If the play was recorded, it's probably among the archive material at the Lucille Lortel Theater, where many recorded plays and musicals were stored, at least they were in the 1990s, when I was a part of that world.
This is wonderful!
Thank you for this historical moment. Brilliance all around, I was praying for a camera focus on Kim's reactions during the dance.
Love this clip, all the actors; but, my God, Meeker's tight pants and sexy, leading with his ass dance moves, are beyond belief. Ms Heckart, vulnerable and raw. What a phenomenon!
Mike Hammer!
Kudos to you for documenting your mother's work - and all that history that came with it. When I was kid, watching movies on TV (way past my bedtime), I would see her in many productions. She always left a strong impression. When I soon started recognizing the names of supporting or less marquee-prominent actors, I never forgot hers. Her voice, her face, her talent made their mark. May she rest in peace - as she surely does in your loving memory of her.
Thank you so much for both of your tender and thoughtful comments! They are so appreciated! Best, Luke
Point taken, sir. I have deleted those comments.
@@LukeYankee My pleasure. Cheers.
@@LukeYankee Your having listened graciously boosts my faith in reason and fairness in others.
P.S. I'm female. ;)
@@LukeYankee BTW, I've subscribed. And look forward to seeing your other upcoming goodies. Best to you as well.
Thank you for presenting the Ed Sullivan Show clip of Picnic (Broadway version). Didn't know Ralph Meeker played the role that William Holden had in the movie version. He looked good dancing with Janice Rule. Eileen Heckart looked impressive as the school teacher. Kim Stanley was a little old to play the younger sister, as she was close to thirty at the time (Susan Strasberg was 17 when she played the movie role, which was appropriate, I feel). Again, thanks for the clip, and Happy New Year.
Even though some thought William Holden was too old for the role of Hal, he was only 2 years older than Ralph Meeker (Holden born 1918, Meeker born 1920).
Unfortunately, Mr. Holden was living a lifestyle that aged him quickly.
Just as a note: The show in 1953 was called "Toast of the Town." It was renamed "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1955.
New subscriber here! Just wanted to join in with all the folks thanking you for making this available. 'Picnic' is a very important play to me as it was one of my first real jobs as a wannabe actor back in 1985. Played Bomber in a suburb of Philly (dating myself here), such great memories and I never even knew this clip existed! Lovely to see Ms. Heckart in even just a smidgeon of the role. Looking forward to similar clips, all the best to you!
Thank you, Mr. Wayne! And welcome! Best, Luke
My agent told me many years ago she saw it on stage. She couldn't believe it - Ralph took his shirt off. Many years later I did Rosemary - how I wish I had seen this
I wish I had, too! It's the play and role that put my mother on the map!
@@LukeYankee Oh wow! So Eileen Heckart was your Mum, she was such a good actress! Was she disappointed in not being cast in the movie version of *Picnic*? Her acting here was as fine as Roz Russell's! It seems no one from the original Broadway version won parts in the movie except for Arthur O'Connell, whose name I saw in the Broadway listing. But this Howard here doesn't seem to be O'Connell. Your Mom was sooo very good in *The Bad Seed*, one of the most affecting performances I've ever seen in the movies. Didn't she also win an Oscar for *Butterflies are Free*? I know she appeared in many films and television shows but I'm more familiar with movies. Thank you very much for posting this great bit of theater history! I thought the Moonglow dance in the *Picnic* movie was specially devised for that film, but now see it was an important part of the stage drama. Guess it's time to read the play! Fascinating kinescope to see! All good actors ~ thanks so much again!!
How wonderful! My mother was the original Rosemary in this clip!
I am well aware of who your mother was. Anyone in theatre should be. She was notorious - sorry she is not around to do Ruth Vader Ginsburg. She would have been spectacular
I followed all these peoples careers. Even Paul Newman. Remember he was in this as well.
Really a treat to see this rare look at the original Broadway cast. I loved the movie. I thought both William Holden and Kim Novak were great. But I have to admit - Ralph Meeker is amazing! Thanks for posting this gem!
My pleasure, John. My mom was bummed she didnb't get to play Rosemary in the film!
I'll bet she was! It's a shame she didn't get the role.
Just found out about your book in the comments. I ordered it and am looking forward to reading it!
Luke - I just got your book today. It's really wonderful!
Thanks so much, John! Hope you enjoy it!
@@LukeYankee I read that Kim Stanley, my cousin, was offered the lead in Vertigo but turned it down. Do you know if that is true?
Golly I don't know why they didn't film this for posterity. Bless you for this clip. Are there any others featuring Picnic? Meeker should have taken the role. What a different direction his career would have taken. Thanks!
They didn't really film plays back then. This is the only footage I know of. Thanks!
@@LukeYankee Needed the American Film Theatre.
Meeker was handsome & hot. He should have had a BIG film career. Hollywood, instead, pushed
Paul Newman.
The vanishing content of television.
I wonder how the film version would have turned out with Ralph Meeker instead of William Holden in the male lead. Meeker has a more boyish, spontaneous presence and is sexier. Holden is almost a middle aged man or comes across that in the Logan movie. Too bad Meeker didn't get the part. He has a natural quality that he didn't the chance to show in his movie roles, which were mostly in action films.
While I absolutely concur, I’m more sorry that my mother didn’t get to recreate the role of Rosemary. It was a real bugaboo for her. But Rosalind Russell’ s husband had purchased it for her, so this was never an option, alas.
Kim Stanley looks so young.
This always takes me away. The look on Ralph Meeker's face when he dances with Claire Bloom is pure sex. That look of desire, lust and want. I connected with it immediately and if that weren't enough, the look on Eileen Heckart's face, without words she says it all. She was incredible. We'll never see talent like that again.
I'm glad you liked it. But that is not Claire Bloom, it is Janice Rule.
@@LukeYankee Oh, that's right. I stand corrected.
@@williamboiczuk1233, thank you. Glad you liked it. I posted the clip. My Mom was Eileen Heckart.
@@LukeYankee I Know. Your Mother was one the finest actresses of the twentieth century. I did a stock production of "Meet Me In St.Louis" at Darien Dinner Theatre in 1984. Your Brother Philip was the Stage Manager.
William, we might have met back then. I'm pretty sure I saw that! Alas, Philip is no longer with us. The demons of drugs and alcohol finally caught up with him. Thank you for the lovely comments about my mom. Best, Luke
Does anyone remember that Janice Rule was later in the film Bell Book and candle with Kim Novak?!
Must have been fun for her to be bitchy toward Kim Novak after Kim got the movie role in PICNIC -- LOL. But of course, she lost to Novak for Jimmy Stewart's love. Still, I always thought Janice Rule was the best thing in the movie.
Mr. Yankee, any possibility you could get footage of Meeker as Stanley Kowalski? He was considered superior to Brando in his performance as Stanley. It's always amazed me that this wasn't filmed.
I have no idea how to get that footage. Sorry!
Thank you so much for your reply. - Another request, Meeker and Grace Kelly did a dance number on Ed Sullivan. - I think it was Ed Sullivan. - Any possibility? As you may guess, I am a sorry-sad fan of his. I think he was one of our best actors. - But, you can't fight the Hollywood system.
Sorry, Gail. I don't have access to that kind of footage. Have you read my book, JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT? It has some great stories about PICNIC and Mr. Meeker.
I just ordered a copy. Now I know you are the Great Lady's son. I can't wait to read your anecdotes about your wonderful mom actress. I've seen her in so many roles over the years and never for a moment - she's that good an actress, I guess, did I begin to think of her as a human being. - Boy, that sounds odd....Anyway, can't wait to read the book, and now I'm going to subscribe. Very best.
Thank you so much, Gail! I am in the process of editing the paperback edition with a new afterword, whcih will be out by the end of the year. I hope you enjoy it!
The film was made in 1955, 2 years after this performance. So Holden would have been 36 or 37.
Great scene! Thank you! Who played the older woman who came outside and sat down? I thought her voice sounded like Ruth McDevitt. Then I saw Ruth was in the B’way cast, but Peggy Conklin played the mother. Do you know who the actress was in this clip?
1:59 Ed stops talking
Ed Sullivan looks flummoxed by what had just been acted out on his shows's stage. He was used to presenting proletarian material. "I'm the man and the man always leads." In dancing.........of course.
If you want to see flummoxed, you should watch the shows where Ed presents opera singers and tries to pronounce their names. Quite comical.
I don't know about that. Ed was a creature of Broadway and was certainly no stranger to earthy, down-home material.
Two peacocks dancing. Janice, where have you gone? Where are your types, descendants, since you've gone! William Holden a terrific actor. but Picnic a letdown. Janice Rule forever!
Paul Newman played Alan Seymour, (the Cliff Robertson part in the movie) and isn't in this scene. He understudied Meeker as Hal and eventually replaced him as Hal. He met Joanne Woodward, who was an understudy, (I assume for Millie) in this play. Kim Stanely is playing Millie here and Janice Rule her 'older' sister madge, even though Rule was six years younger. I assume Rule was chosen for Madge because she was more the ideal of the prettiest girl in town.
Mr. Chappell: Joanne Woodward understudied both Kim Stanley and Janice Rule.. My mother, Eileen Heckart, played Rosemary.
@@LukeYankee She's also the only answer to a great trivia question about the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Do you know what it is?
@@44032, I'm not sure. Tell me?
@@44032 Eileen Heckart played Mary Richards Aunt Flo
@@LukeYankee I have twice answered this and apparently each time it's been deleted, perhaps because I provided a link. I'll just say that in the Lou Grant Episode "Pack" (S4E3), she also plays Mary's Aunt Flo. She is the only character who appeared on the MTM Show that also appeared on Lou Grant except Lou himself.
I thought Paul Newman was the original actor who played the male lead on Broadway.? I do remember reading that.
No, he played Alan, Madge's rich suitor and Hal's old college buddy. Newman was Meeker's understudy and took over when Meeker left the cast.
@@smichelle65 Thank you,for letting me know that.I wish you a good day.
@@NancySanders-om4ic You're very welcome; same to you!
Hard to believe so much dancing would be left to the cast members themselves, but I don't see any choreographer listed.
I'm sure there was one, Michael. They just weren't credited for some reason (which would never happen today).
The hell with Madge,I would have gone with the old maid school teacher.Way foxier and hotsy
LOL -- that happens to be the poster's mother -- Eileen Heckart.
Hmmmmmmmm it looks like they got a lot dance steps from this for dirty dancing.
From watching "Broadway: The Golden Age", I know Kim Stanley was considered almost as legendary as Laurette Taylor , but this performance looks awful. I wonder if it worked better when you could see her entire performance. If only the whole show were available to watch. It's seems like an entirely different, and better, show here with Ralph Meeker and Eileen Heckart than the movie was with the sexy but miscast William Holden and Rosalind Russell.
I'm guessing the reason these performances seem stilted was that they were stage perfromances on TV. I know this show made Kim Stanley a star!
Every single time I see Holden in the part, I blanch. He said it was painful to play the part because he knew he was too old to play it. Can you imagine the chemistry of Ralph Meeker and Kim Novac?
I've seen Kim Stanley do incredible work on film and TV. But she looks -and was -over 30 when
she played teenage Millie in PICNIC and it just doesn't work. I can only suspect the critics
were wowed by her potential or critical standards were VERY different in 1953.
She was remarkable in "The Goddess". Remarkable. - And Lloyd Bridges to boot. Fine movie.
I think she's superb in this. But, just to clarify things: I suggest you look for (here on You Tube!) Kim Stanley in William Inge's "Bus Stop", which she also did on Broadway, as played also here on the Ed Sullivan show!! And you'll see how much Marilyn Monroe tried to steal (and admittedly so!) from Ms. Stanley's performance for when she did the movie version.