Welcome to another Wildcard Wednesday! In today’s post, I’m sharing an unreleased TV production of Arthur Miller’s classic play The Crucible, which aired 50 years ago tomorrow (May 4th, 1967) on CBS. The production starred GEORGE C. SCOTT as John Proctor, COLLEEN DEWHURST as Elizabeth Proctor, MELVYN DOUGLAS as Governor Danforth, TUESDAY WELD as Abigail Williams, FRITZ WEAVER as Reverend John Hale, CATHLEEN NESBITT as Rebecca, HENRY JONES as Reverend Samuel Parris, and WILL GEER as Giles Corey. It’s a fantastic production of a great show with a truly phenomenal cast (filled with many actors we’ve discussed before on this blog) — Colleen Dewhurst is particularly strong — and I recommend it highly. Enjoy! (Note that this copy, taken from a library archive, is in black-and-white.)
[This link has been removed at the request of the copyright holder. Hope a release is in the works!]
Come back next Wednesday for another Wildcard post! And tune in on Tuesday for more Seinfeld!
Thank you a million times…I have been looking for a way to see this again ever since it was broadcast and I was very young.
Hi, mahler9! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hope this brings back some wonderful memories.
Quite amazing!
Hi, bobster427! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Indeed. Hope you enjoy!
Just got around to watching this. It’s amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi, Elaine! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I’m glad you enjoyed this rarity!
This is a great find. Now if you have George Segal and Nicol Williamson in the 60s TV version of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, my bucket list for lost repeats would be nearly complete…
Hi, Edward! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I don’t and I’m not currently looking — but I DO have some other rare, exciting ’60s television coming here VERY soon! Keep your eyes (and ears) open…
I saw the original broadcast of this production in 1967 when I was a teenager, and it left a deep impression. Viewing it again on your web site, despite the lack of color, the fuzzy resolution, and the missing first half of the play, confirmed my belief that this perfectly cast and brilliantly performed production is the definitive realization of Arthur Miller’s masterpiece (and a rebuke to the silly 2016 Broadway revival). It really must be restored and released to the general public.
Hi, Sheldon! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Yes, even in this quality, it’s a magical performance!