Mary Martin's Peter Pan on DVD

[Phantom487]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:47pm

A while back, there was talk of the 1955 black & white kinescope version of "Peter Pan" with Mary Martin being released on DVD, contrary to the 1960 color version thats been commercially availble for years. Anyone know if this is still being planned?
Updated On: 6/24/05 at 01:47 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:51pm

This has been in and out of talk for years. Who knows what NBC is up to.

The 1960 DVD is out of print.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:53pm

I wish they would! I've always wanted to see the 1955 kinescope. I've heard its pretty superior to the 1960 presentation, particularly in the supporting cast.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:55pm

The 1956 kinescope is in better shape. 1955 is fine - but its black and white makes it a bit difficult to see what's going on.

The 1956 one you can at least make everything out.

[Phantom487]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:58pm

I have heard the same thing. I grew up with the 1960 version, so naturally I do love it. But Maureen Bailey, who plays Wendy, gets on my nerves. Her acting is kinda poor and leaves me wanting more. I have heard that Kathy Nolan, the original Broadway Wendy who is in the 1955 & 1956 versions, is superior to her sucsessor. I have generally heard EVERYONE is better in the '55 & '56 versions, including Mary Martin, who was younger and more energetic.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:03pm

Oh yes - everyone is much better. Even though its in black and white - it's better all around.

The flying is even better because with the color, you can see the wires and it looks fake. But in the 1956 (especially the 1955) the black and white better hides the wire as it fades in the background. Seems more real, spirited, and shocking.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:11pm

Which performances are better -- 1955 or 56? Or are they about the same?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:16pm

Is the 1955 version the film of the b'dway play? I think the 1960 version is the made-for-TV movie. I don't remember any of the other cast members other than Mr.Darling/ Captain Hook (Cyril Ritchard. There is a 1954 version of the play available--but I'm not sure what technique was used to preserve it.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:22pm

They were all filmed for television -- using the original Broadway sets and costumes. None was actually filmed in front of a live audience.

1955 and 1956 were shown live. 1960 was taped. All broadcasts were originally in color, but all that exist of 1955 and 1956 are black and white kinescopes (which is kind of like someone going into a movie theatre and taping a film with their camcorder -- its not the best quality).

[PeteG]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:24pm

"There is a 1954 version of the play available--but I'm not sure what technique was used to preserve it."

Could you be talking about the Jean Arthur/Boris Karloff version??? They made a cast recording... it was released on LP, and my local library has it on CD, but I haven't EVER seen it in stores, but it must be out of print.

Updated On: 6/24/05 at 02:24 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:52pm

The Jean Arthur/Boris Karloff was 1951 and it was not video-recorded. They did a cast album.

PETER PAN with Mary Martin was telecast live from their Broadway theatre in 1955. Demand for a re-broadcast was so high, NBC decided to do ANOTHER *live* telecast in 1956. Demand and ratings soared. They decided in 1960 to this time do another broadcast, in color, and reunite the cast (the Broadway show closed by this time).

I do not know for sure that the 1955 and 1956 telecasts were broadcast in color. Most households had black and white television sets - so everyone remembers seeing it thus.

No other PETER PAN recordings of stage productions were done until 1997 when Cathy Rigby took the role on Broadway. There was also a recording done to be broadcast on A&E, which is available on DVD and VHS. A 2000 CD soundtrack to this is also available.