(1958)
Directed by Daniel Petrie
Written by James Costigan, adapted from the novel by Emily Bronte. Jacqueline Babbin, story consultant
Starring Richard Burton, Rosemary Harris, Denholm Elliott, Barry Jones, Bernard Miles, John Colicos, Patty Duke.
IMDB Entry
The Golden Age of 50s television may have been overstated. While there were plenty of good shows, the reality is that the bad ones have not been preserved and remembered.* However, Wuthering Heights is an example of a lost TV show that deserves to be acclaimed.
The story is familiar. Heathcliffe (Richard Burton) is a foundling, adopted by Mr. Earnshaw (Barry Jones). He falls in love with Catherine (Patty Duke as a child, Rosemary Harris as an adult), but is driven off by her brother Joseph (Bernard Miles). Catherine marries Edgar Linton (Denholm Elliott). When Heathcliffe returns he vows to win Catherine back.
You can see why Burton was a star. His Heathcliffe is brooding and tortured and he really brings the character to life. Rosemary Harris was a major star on Broadway, though now is probably known as Aunt May in several Spider-man films.
This is something of an all-star cast, many in classic TV and movies. Bernard Miles had a long film and stage career, while Denholm Elliott is most remembered today as Indiana Jones's friend Marcus. Patty Duke also was very successful as a child and adult and John Colicos was Count Baltar in the original Battlestar Gallactica.
While the production was aired as a Dupont Show of the Month, It looks like it was shot on film, making it more dramatic.
The movie is available on Youtube.
_________________________________________________________________________
*This is common in all arts. Time and distance only preserve the best, making things seem better than they were.
No comments:
Post a Comment