SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Television programme assembled to honour President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in Dallas two days before. The programme features classical music and dramatic readings from the bible and Shakespeare. Host Fredric March recites the Gettysburg Address, Charlton Heston reads from the Psalms and Robert Frost, and Marian Anderson sings Negro spirituals. The lines from Shakespeare are from Hamlet’s and Horatio’s last speeches from Hamlet read by Albert Finney and Christopher Plummer; it is likely that Plummer reads Hamlet and Finney reads Horatio.

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Television

Transmission details

24 Nov 1963 at 20:00 (Channel: ABC)

Duration

110 mins

Availability

No archive copy found (4/2007).

Credits

Producer

Roone Arledge

Contributor

Albert Finney; Charlton Heston; Christopher Plummer; Frederic March; Marion Anderson

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Plays

Hamlet

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

General

President Kennedy’s name was mentioned only once in the broadcast.

Reviews

Variety Television Reviews (27 November 1963).

Production Company

Name

ABC