Hamlet Screen Tests

Synopsis: John Barrymore was approached in 1933 to make a film version of Hamlet. Although he had played the role many times on stage, the production company asked for a screen test, perhaps because of rumours that Barrymore’s health and memory were fading. Barrymore was tested at the RKO Studios in Hollywood and although his performance was flawless in part of the test, he could not remember his lines in a key scene (I v). The producers were concerned thet the expensive Technicolor production might fail with Barrymore as the lead and they abandoned the project. The test shots were saved by the principal investor in the film, John Hay Whitney, and restored by the Museum of Modern Art Department of Film.
Language: English
Country: United States
Medium: Film
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Recording date: 1 Jan 1933
Duration: 10 mins
Availability: Sale (offered only as a print facility to film and television producers; no rights are claimed or given)

Director

Cast

Notes: The Folger Shakespeare Library catalogue record credits Robert E. Jones as the director.
General: Barrymore some twelve months later signed a contract for a film version of Hamlet to be produced by Alexander Korda. In the screen test he failed at the same place; Barrymore backed out and the film was never made.

Name: RKO
Notes: Home Video rights in the UK are handled bu Universal Home Video (qv). TV rights in the UK are held by the BBC. US rights are held by Warner Home Video.

Shakespeare, "Hamlet Screen Tests". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/9237 (Accessed 20 Sep 2024)

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