Our Town 1977 & 1989 TV versions out on DVD

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 7:30pm

http://www.mastervision.com/mv-drama.html

Children! If you never have seen the 1977 TV version of Our Town. Treat Yourself. The 1989 version is pretty good too.

Robbie Benson is still my favorite George.

Sada Thompson - she makes MUSIC with the dialogue
Charlotte Rae - Mrs. Garrett is a great actress.

It is even better than I remembered it.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 7:33pm

So glad there's only one thread about it this time... Something I would like to see!

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 8:18pm

I'm currently teaching "Our Town" and wondered how these two versions compare to the recent production with Paul Newman.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 9:11pm

The 1989 version was brilliant. I saw the original cast, and the closing performance which feature Don Ameche as the Stage Manager, and Helen Hunt as Emily. I didn't realize it was taped for television.

This is my all-time favorite play, but I was really disappointed with the 2001 production.

Sidney, to answer part of your question. It felt like the most recent revival was over-directed. It was wonderful to see Paul Newman on stage, but it seemed like this production missed its mark. Something was definitely missing. This was one of the few times that this play failed to move me. I felt its PBS telecast was somewhat better than what I saw live in the theatre.

Updated On: 4/13/07 at 09:11 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 9:39pm

I recently taught OUR TOWN to my Junior classes and capped it off by showing the Paul Newman version. Believe it or not, the kids liked it and there were a few tissues pulled out in the last moments of the play.

PS--I love OUR TOWN.

[misschung]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 9:56pm

I absolutely love this play, and this version. The 1940 movie with William Holden is pretty good too.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 10:40pm

Dottie and Dollypop--Thanks for the insights.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 10:51pm

I love the 1940 film the best, because of the cast and Copeland's score. I really wish I could find a remastered version that did it justice. The current DVD release is not so very good.

The 1977 TV version is my favorite of the play.

But what's with this $59.95 price tag???

Do you actually BUY the town itself with that purchase?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 10:54pm

Best12, I was thinking the same thing!!

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 11:41pm

I don't really remember the '77 version, but I loved the '89 version.

"Our Town" is an easy play to schmaltz up, but Spalding Gray's presence cut through it.

I just thought the whole production was better than the Paul Newman version.

[misschung]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 12:00am

it is really expensive, I got the DVDs as a gift, we were shocked at the price. I watched the 1940 film on vhs, I didnt even know there was a DVD version!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 11:56am

Is this a legitimate label? Or is some small entrepenaur custom-burning them? Whatis the quality?

I have seen the 1977 vesrion - it was aired several times in the late 70s/early 80s - and it is very good. The 1989 revival was aired once here on PBS around 1990 but I recall being less impressed with that staging.

The best production I have ever seen was by Toronto's Soulpepper Theater Company in January 2006. The good news is that they are reviving it starting this May. If you are in the area, do not miss it.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 12:46pm

The Newman version is on the PBS label. I bought my copy from Half.Com. I think I paid $9.00 for it.

[Luscious]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 3:17pm

One of my most favorite plays. My favorite filmed version of the show is the 1977 production with Sada Thompson and Robby Benson. Good to know it's available on DVD. But not at that price! My least favorite production is the Newman version.

Updated On: 4/14/07 at 03:17 PM

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 3:18pm

They are broadcast quality. The packaging is cheap, but the picture/sound etc look like they came from a master - instead of some copy of a copy of a copy.

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 3:38pm

Have you seen the FABULOUS documentary OT: Our Town?

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 3:42pm

OT is a GREAT doc.

Though lots of people on this board are freaked by color blind casting so I don't think it is for everyone.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 7:33pm

As a drama teacher, I found the OT doc to be very inspiring. I highly recommend it.

[kyle.]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 8:22pm

I LOVE Our Town and I loved OT!

I was also greatly disappointed with the Paul Newman version.

This DVD is great news!!

[InfiniteGirl]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 9:36pm

Just got my copy from Amazon. Overpriced/priceless - tomato/tomahto.

Love the 1989 (this world misses Spaulding Gray). It's simple, sly, and by virtue of having a sense of humor, becomes that much more dramatic in the 2nd and 3rd acts.

In the 1977 version I can't get past the constant sound effects - God, have any glass milk bottles ever clinked more than Howie Newsome's?

Like the Showtime disc with Paul Newman.

But fave disc of all is OT - an Our Town within an Our Town.

Using pieces all as a really fascinating comparative study for high schoolers putting on the show this Spring.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 10:20pm

Where can one purchase the documentary?

I saw an excellent production of Our Town in 2001 put on at the Roundhouse Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland. Pat Carroll (voice of Ursala in Little Mermaid) was the stage manager. Everything in that production was amazing. I still get chills just thinking about it.

[sparrman]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 10:27pm

Never seen the 1940 film, but I understand it changes the ending so that Emily only DREAMED she died?

Um...no thanks.

[InfiniteGirl]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 11:09pm

OT on Amazon 12.99 - such a deal