RIP Hal. I saw him live in Elmira NY. My hometown and where Mark Twains buried. He did an amazing job of playing Twain. The mayor of the city at the time gave him a key to the city as a thank you.
I met him in the 70’s. This show was a magical night. To have done this as long as he did is even more so magical. Rest In Peace dear man. We will never forget you.
Hal Holbrook is a national treasure. He has been in so many films and his roles over the years have almost always been thought-provoking. And he IS Mark Twain.
He received multi awards for the theater presentations of Mark Twain Tonight including several Tony awards an Emmy for the TV Special. The Oscars are for motion pictures - and while he acted in movies his focus was the theater (nearly 2500 performances of Mark Twain Tonight - the longest running one-man show in theatrical history.. His legacy is Twain. And he wasn't a conservative - he was a very balanced liberal who believed in the eye opening words of Twain - words that are now over 150 years old yet still relevant today. And with the decline in our education systems these are words that are lost on too many young people.
I was fortunate to see Hal Holbrook perform as Mark Twain twice. Once in 2006 and again in 2009. One of my best friends, who got me interested in 'Mark Twain Tonight,' joined me in 2009. I'm glad he had the chance to see him too. Now, he's on God's celestial stage where, I'm sure, he's still carrying on as Twain. Perhaps, he got to meet the real Mark Twain up there. Thank you, Mr. Holbrook.
I had the chance to see Hal Holbrook in person, performing as Mark Twain, twice. Stockton, in 2006 and Modesto, in 2009. Mr. Holbrook WAS Twain! Walk with God, sir.
I saw him do this act in 1973. They said he had so much Twain material that he changed the show nightly and kept it fresh by doing different material. Was a wonderful 2 hours.
My goodness, what a colossal talent he was. I feel blessed in knowing that I was alive at the same time as that great man. Rest In Peace, Mr. Holbrook.
Hal Holbrook was great in 'Into the Wild' (Academy Award Nomination for Best Male Supporting Actor 2008, but he lost out to Spaniard Javier Bardem in 'No Country for Old Men', and Philip Seymour Hoffman was also nominated for the superb 'Charlie Wilson's War'), but I remember HAL best in a couple of fun horror movies, like George A. Romero's/Stephen King's 1982 'Creepshow' (with plenty of cameos, like Adrienne Barbeau, John Carpenter's then wife), based on the 1950s EC comic magazines. Also, he starred as the priest in said Carpenter's 1980 'The Fog', where he played a priest against Adrienne Barbeau (who played the DJ). And do I need to mention him in his role as Mark Felt/"Deep Throat" in 'All the President's Men' (Alan J. Pakula, 1976)? Both Mark Felt and Hal Holbrook died aged 95. Requiescant In Pacem, and say HI! to the other HAL....
+Lydia Beier I saw him just tonight! LIVE. He is 92, and still doing about 25 of these shows a year. He was wonderful. It was a moving, touching, and of course humorous, show.
Yes, it really was 1967, by which time colour TVs were selling like hotcakes in the US. By the end of 1965, more than half of the three networks' shows were available in colour. Even in the UK, the first colour broadcast was in July 1967 on BBC2, though it took longer to catch on there. As to his aged appearance, Holbrook simply did a great job on his makeup. When you get a chance, take a look at Dustin Hoffman in "Little Big Man", playing a 121-year-old man at the age of 33. Astonishing.
I saw Mr Holbrook twice here in Toronto doing this show. Excellemt! He really captured the essence of Twain. Thanks for this video. A wonderful memory.❤
@@ghostfacedude93 It’s almost as if you don’t know what the term strawman means. Also, maybe don’t traipse through the fucking comments section, calling folks the n word. I am actually mixed, and that is actually disrespectful.
5:30: "In a Republic, the government is merely a servant -- a temporary one. It's function is to obey orders, not originate them." These words have a haunting familiarity today, as we approach the 2020 Presidential election. F, 10/23/2020
I've spent way too much time tonight watching basically this same performance, and have been wondering how he got those wattles like that in '67 - did he always have them, or just have a genius makeup artist? PS - I suspect Holbrook has lived longer because the actual Twain was... "hard on himself" would be putting it mildly, if his commentary is to be believed.
Sure he did. Holbrook would be the first to tell you that he doesn't write anything for "Mark Twain Tonight"; it's all Twain's work. Holbrook only decides what he'll include in any given show. As to the details, most of this scene is slightly adapted from Twain's 1903 essay, "The Damned Human Race", along with parts of other essays as well. For instance, "its function is to obey orders" comes from "Papers of the Adam Family". The words are mostly verbatim in each case.
I saw this in 1989 at the ULM (was NLU). I still tell a joke about a friend blowing his brains out, then going into politics. I use it to check for a sense of irony with my students.
So, I am listening to this and I hear people laugh and He was so right... Why can't people think... use logic and common sense even "back then" I am so disappointed in this race that I have to call my own.
Funny, I put several different animals in the same cage, and I did not intervene. I did not feed them or in any way affect their behavior. Within weeks the only ones that remained were fast, smart, and had very sharp teeth and claws. I put several humans in a cage and did not intervene, and they formed a village council and erected a shelter and planted flowers around the perimeter. Our data seems to differ.
Less than half of recorded wars were crusades. The fact remains most wars are not primarily motivated by religion. Statements like, "think of all the wars religion causes!" are what thoughtless people say as they repeat whatever phrases they hear often.
Animals fight for territory defense or to eat, too. But humans have developed extra things to fight over they shouldn't--if they get too 'centric over belief or non-belief choices, race, etc., often because leaders lead or mislead the public into it, things they might better settle another way. Police and military can minimize crime, but humans also commit war atrocities. (See Wikipedia > war, and see war crime)
I hope someone takes up the cause when Hal can no longer carry on. I would hate to see him go but we all know it will happen someday. Someone should make a Mark Twain AI program. There should be enough about his life and personality to do it.
RIP Hal. I saw him live in Elmira NY. My hometown and where Mark Twains buried. He did an amazing job of playing Twain. The mayor of the city at the time gave him a key to the city as a thank you.
I met him in the 70’s. This show was a magical night. To have done this as long as he did is even more so magical. Rest In Peace dear man. We will never forget you.
Hal Holbrook is a national treasure. He has been in so many films and his roles over the years have almost always been thought-provoking. And he IS Mark Twain.
America hasn't learned from this brilliant wit and wisdom.
Actually, much of it has. But there's a lot of amplification given to the unreasonable animals.....
It's a pity that such a talented actor never received an Oscar at least an Honorary😭 one. RIP HAL HALBROCK ( 1925- 2021) 🙏🙏🙏😥😥😥
Agreed. Absolutely.
Couldn’t agree more, the man was an absolute legend
I agree. He was underrated in that respect. I've seen this performance in my area one nite. Ive even been to the Mark Twain home in Hannibal, Mo.
That’s probably because he was a conservative .
He received multi awards for the theater presentations of Mark Twain Tonight including several Tony awards an Emmy for the TV Special. The Oscars are for motion pictures - and while he acted in movies his focus was the theater (nearly 2500 performances of Mark Twain Tonight - the longest running one-man show in theatrical history.. His legacy is Twain. And he wasn't a conservative - he was a very balanced liberal who believed in the eye opening words of Twain - words that are now over 150 years old yet still relevant today. And with the decline in our education systems these are words that are lost on too many young people.
I was fortunate to see Hal Holbrook perform as Mark Twain twice. Once in 2006 and again in 2009. One of my best friends, who got me interested in 'Mark Twain Tonight,' joined me in 2009. I'm glad he had the chance to see him too. Now, he's on God's celestial stage where, I'm sure, he's still carrying on as Twain. Perhaps, he got to meet the real Mark Twain up there. Thank you, Mr. Holbrook.
And reunited with Dixie. I enjoyed them both so much.
A legend performing a legend.
Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!!!! Well said!!!!!!
Mark Twain is my great great great great grandfather, my sister has his wife’s old ring.
I had the chance to see Hal Holbrook in person, performing as Mark Twain, twice. Stockton, in 2006 and Modesto, in 2009. Mr. Holbrook WAS Twain! Walk with God, sir.
RIP Hal Holbrook (1925-2021) absolutely amazing actor/comedian/philosopher?
I saw him do this act in 1973. They said he had so much Twain material that he changed the show nightly and kept it fresh by doing different material. Was a wonderful 2 hours.
Damn your old
My goodness, what a colossal talent he was. I feel blessed in knowing that I was alive at the same time as that great man. Rest In Peace, Mr. Holbrook.
GREAT ACTOR...MAY HE REST IN PEACE
I have tickets to see this legend in April 2016 - 50 years after this play debuted. I can't wait.
How was it and where was the debut?
saw him do this last night in escondido.. 80 something years old and still putting on his twain show... it was great.
God, I loved this show. Clemens was great and Holbrook was the only one who could pull it off !
I always considered Mark Twain to be Hal Holbrook's greatest role.
Saw him on stage in early 90's, so funny, yet completely commanding.
Hal Holbrook was great in 'Into the Wild' (Academy Award Nomination for Best Male Supporting Actor 2008, but he lost out to Spaniard Javier Bardem in 'No Country for Old Men', and Philip Seymour Hoffman was also nominated for the superb 'Charlie Wilson's War'), but I remember HAL best in a couple of fun horror movies, like George A. Romero's/Stephen King's 1982 'Creepshow' (with plenty of cameos, like Adrienne Barbeau, John Carpenter's then wife), based on the 1950s EC comic magazines. Also, he starred as the priest in said Carpenter's 1980 'The Fog', where he played a priest against Adrienne Barbeau (who played the DJ). And do I need to mention him in his role as Mark Felt/"Deep Throat" in 'All the President's Men' (Alan J. Pakula, 1976)? Both Mark Felt and Hal Holbrook died aged 95. Requiescant In Pacem, and say HI! to the other HAL....
One of kind.....there is no other Twian imitator that can compare as a scholar amd actor
Forget cheesy pop music, this is meaningful art.
How could I have almost forgotten that I had the great privilege of seeing Hal Holbrook on stage doing Mark Twain Tonight? I must be getting senile.
Makeup done by "The Master", DICK SMITH. He just passed away at the age of 92. RIP
"Why, he's made a graveyard of the globe, in trying his honest best, to smooth his brother's path to happiness, and heaven."
I saw this live in the late 70's. One of the most powerful "plays" I have ever seen. He literally WAS Twain.
+Lydia Beier I saw him just tonight! LIVE. He is 92, and still doing about 25 of these shows a year. He was wonderful. It was a moving, touching, and of course humorous, show.
You are right of course. I will change it to "It was like he was Mark Twain". :-)
Thanks Ryan. I appreciate that. You understand what I meant. He Becomes Twain
Tom I did not call you anything and you were right that I stated it wrong. I can't believe this is still an issue. Can we drop it now?
Lydia Beier
this debate has gotten literally out of hand.
Today Mark Twain have been dead 99 years.. Honor him today and have atleast 1 min of silence.. Rest In Peace Mark Twain..
R.I.P Hal Holbrook!
Mark Twain, where are you, now that we need you like never before.
Thank you for posting this - saw this back in high school in history class. This one hit me really hard, especially with the way the world is now...
Yes, it really was 1967, by which time colour TVs were selling like hotcakes in the US. By the end of 1965, more than half of the three networks' shows were available in colour. Even in the UK, the first colour broadcast was in July 1967 on BBC2, though it took longer to catch on there. As to his aged appearance, Holbrook simply did a great job on his makeup. When you get a chance, take a look at Dustin Hoffman in "Little Big Man", playing a 121-year-old man at the age of 33. Astonishing.
Hal you have always been one of my all time favorite s
Mark Twain was the father of stand up comedian's, and he exposed the truth; in his comedy. He was one of Americas treasure's.
Greatest one-man show ever!
Views on humanity are spot on. Man is the most cruel.
He Looked Just Like Him !!!.....
I saw this the first time back in 1967 and it's stuck with me every since.
"only one word in the whole german language whose sound was sweet and healing to his soul, and that word was DAMIT"
Thank You Forever Hal. R.I.P.
Great actor. Won an Emmy for playing this role. RIP
I saw Mr Holbrook twice here in Toronto doing this show. Excellemt! He really captured the essence of Twain. Thanks for this video. A wonderful memory.❤
I wonder how Mark Twain and George Carlin are getting along.
They're not lol since they were both atheists or at least humanists/anti theists.
Dominique Miller well, if they did meet in the after life, whichever place it is, they were probably kicked out for talking too much.
just fine maybe reverses awards
@@Dominiqueuqinimod nigga say anything about heaven or hell? Go validate your strawman beliefs somewhere else
@@ghostfacedude93 It’s almost as if you don’t know what the term strawman means. Also, maybe don’t traipse through the fucking comments section, calling folks the n word. I am actually mixed, and that is actually disrespectful.
Absolutely riveting. Amazing work.
I love Hal holbrook I think he's a really brilliant actor. That detective Briggs was a nasty piece of work!
I saw this show a few years back. Great Show. He came to our area.
God bless you Mr Holbrook! R.I.P.
5:30: "In a Republic, the government is merely a servant -- a temporary one. It's function is to obey orders, not originate them." These words have a haunting familiarity today, as we approach the 2020 Presidential election. F, 10/23/2020
Worse now....
Hal can do this part without makeup now.
I've spent way too much time tonight watching basically this same performance, and have been wondering how he got those wattles like that in '67 - did he always have them, or just have a genius makeup artist?
PS - I suspect Holbrook has lived longer because the actual Twain was... "hard on himself" would be putting it mildly, if his commentary is to be believed.
Makeup artist. Holbrooke in 1973's "Magnum Force" still looked quite young in the face.
a bunch of great people incapable of error or blame.
This is amazing.
I had to watch this for my school project. This was effing hilarious! Hopefully I get an A
Wow! This is way before its time!
No Some things just don't Change its the same party just a different tune.
Cleveland born, Cleveland bred
Unforgettable.
"He's the animal with the true religion. Several of them!"
Sure he did. Holbrook would be the first to tell you that he doesn't write anything for "Mark Twain Tonight"; it's all Twain's work. Holbrook only decides what he'll include in any given show.
As to the details, most of this scene is slightly adapted from Twain's 1903 essay, "The Damned Human Race", along with parts of other essays as well. For instance, "its function is to obey orders" comes from "Papers of the Adam Family". The words are mostly verbatim in each case.
Hal Holbrook ended up playing Mark Twain longer than Samuel Clemons did.
Underrated comment (so far). 👏
I saw this in 1989 at the ULM (was NLU). I still tell a joke about a friend blowing his brains out, then going into politics. I use it to check for a sense of irony with my students.
Ok I messed up. It's actually Dana Gould as Maurice Evans as Dr. Zaius as Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain.
Happy 95th, Hal Holbrook!
Love it!
Holbrook was great in Wall Street and The Star Chamber, both with Michael Douglas... R I P HH.
Thank you Hal Holbrook!
Yes, it's still available for about US$25 and often found on eBay for less.
Dana Gould as Maurice Evans as Hal Hal Holbrook as Dr. Zaius as Mark Twain.
@dirtynuke
Other way around. Hal's Twain was taken from photographs of Twain, Vonnegut looks like Twain, I almost think on purpose....
It's funny that this piece got posted. I don't think Mark Twain uttered any of this.
I do wish I saw it. Loved Barney Miller.
That was Hal Linden; not Hal Holbrook.
This man was born to Twain!
Not 1967 but still good watching.
Hal sorry about your wife.She was an amazing actress.Dixie may you R.I.P
So much truth here
Excellent!
Amazon and several sellers on eBay both have it. Search for Mark Twain Tonight DVD. On eBay , leave "Include title and description" unchecked.
Hal Holbrook: Boss Hall of Fame.
So, I am listening to this and I hear people laugh and He was so right... Why can't people think... use logic and common sense even "back then" I am so disappointed in this race that I have to call my own.
Rest In Peace
Funny, I put several different animals in the same cage, and I did not intervene. I did not feed them or in any way affect their behavior. Within weeks the only ones that remained were fast, smart, and had very sharp teeth and claws.
I put several humans in a cage and did not intervene, and they formed a village council and erected a shelter and planted flowers around the perimeter.
Our data seems to differ.
Wonderful - cheers
This is Brilliant You You Tube do do heads FAIL to see it
love yore pperforments
Less than half of recorded wars were crusades. The fact remains most wars are not primarily motivated by religion. Statements like, "think of all the wars religion causes!" are what thoughtless people say as they repeat whatever phrases they hear often.
I met hal he is now 88 years old
Netflix also has it, if you're a member. :)
Salutes.
It's a shame Mark Twain and George Carlin never could've met. I bet they would've been best friends.
I have this record and its cover
My condolences to Mr.Holbrook on the death of his wife tonight.
Brilliant
Do you have the one where he's telling a scary story? If so please post!
i saw him in person last week 4Mark Twain's aniverasry of his death.
Animals fight for territory defense or to eat, too. But humans have developed
extra things to fight over they shouldn't--if they get too 'centric over belief
or non-belief choices, race, etc., often because leaders lead or mislead the public
into it, things they might better settle another
way. Police and military can minimize crime, but humans also commit war atrocities. (See
Wikipedia > war, and see war crime)
RIP The man
He is my ancester
It's a shame, really, when you think about it... Such a legend and no one to inherit it. Perhaps fate meant it to be...
A man's got to know his limitations...
1925-2021
ey i watched this yesterday
RIP!
He got robbed, he should have won the oscar for Into The Wild.
He was also the father of american literature.
Fucking Dope!👌💯
I hope someone takes up the cause when Hal can no longer carry on. I would hate to see him go but we all know it will happen someday. Someone should make a Mark Twain AI program. There should be enough about his life and personality to do it.
I think that's a fantastic idea! I'm sure there's plenty of look-a-likes out there. Question is - can they emulate Mark Twain well enough?
Poor sound. Can't understand.