Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Synopsis
Radio broadcast of Hamlet adapted, directed and starring John Gielgud.
Series
Theatre Guild on the Air
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Audio; Radio
Transmission details
4 Mar 1951 at 20:30 (Channel: NBC)
Duration
90 mins

Credits

Director
Homer Fickett; John Gielgud
Writer
William Shakespeare
Music
Harold Levey
Adaptor for Radio
John Gielgud
Cast
John GielgudHamlet
Pamela BrownGertrude
Dorothy McGuireOphelia
Barry Kroeger 
Esme PercyOsric
John Merivale 
Peter Bull 

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Hamlet
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
The Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division also holds a recording entitled SHAKESPEARE 51 recorded May 24 1951. The catalogue entry reads ‘The play Hamlet is presented on this audition recording as part of the "New sound of Shakespeare on radio". which may relate to the Gielgud/McGuire recording of 4th March 1951.
General
The introduction for the Theatre Guild performance makes explicit the link to theatrical performance and helps make the point that Gielgud could continue to perform the role live on radio despite the face that at 47 he was rather too old to play it on stage. At one point Esme Percy (Osric) makes an audible comment on Gielgud’s performance as if he were an audience member.
History
The recording was released in 2004 by Pavilion Records on the Pearl label in the ‘Plays and Poets’ series. Produced by Roger Beardsley with liner notes by Sheridan Morley. The production was also broadcast on the Armed Forces Radio Service and released as an LP by RCA.

Production Company

Name

ABC

Sponsor

Name

United States Steel Corporation

Archive

Name

Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division

Web
http://loc.gov/rr/record External site opens in new window
Phone
(202) 707-7833
Address
Recorded Sound Reference Centre
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Room LM-113
Washington, DC 20540

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Pearl Records

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av67146 (Accessed 26 Nov 2024)