I was just watching a movie on TV, and during an interview period, saw Charles Laughton, and brought back a memory of many years ago, back to the early 50's.
I was in the Navy then, and an opportunity arose to get tickets to see a play, "John Brown's Body," Tyrone Power, Raymond Massey and Judith Anderson, direction by Charles Laughton. It was at a theatre in San Diego. I was not a big "play goer" the cast sounded too good to turn down.
It was unique in that the only players were the headliners, backed up by the Voices of Walter Schumann as a chorus. It was a trial, a lot of dialogue, with musical response, but, a lot of dialogue.
Curtain time, and Mr. Laughton stepped out and announced that Mr. Massey was not feeling well, and he, even though he had never played the part, only directed the show, was going to stand in for Mr. Massey. He begged the audiences indulgence, as he would have to read from the script.
The stage lit up, the lights came on, the three characters entered.
I am not sure who spoke first, but when it came around to Mr. Laughton, he glanced down at the script before speaking, spoke his lines .................... and that was the last, that he ever glanced at the script. Just directing the play, he had memorized all the lines. It was extraordinary, and there were many, many lines, the play was all dialogue similar to a trial, at the bar of justice.
At the end of the show, all three actors came out ....... two bowed and gracefully strode to the wings, leaving Mr. Laughton, alone, to take his well deserved bows.
It was memorable ......
I was in the Navy then, and an opportunity arose to get tickets to see a play, "John Brown's Body," Tyrone Power, Raymond Massey and Judith Anderson, direction by Charles Laughton. It was at a theatre in San Diego. I was not a big "play goer" the cast sounded too good to turn down.
It was unique in that the only players were the headliners, backed up by the Voices of Walter Schumann as a chorus. It was a trial, a lot of dialogue, with musical response, but, a lot of dialogue.
Curtain time, and Mr. Laughton stepped out and announced that Mr. Massey was not feeling well, and he, even though he had never played the part, only directed the show, was going to stand in for Mr. Massey. He begged the audiences indulgence, as he would have to read from the script.
The stage lit up, the lights came on, the three characters entered.
I am not sure who spoke first, but when it came around to Mr. Laughton, he glanced down at the script before speaking, spoke his lines .................... and that was the last, that he ever glanced at the script. Just directing the play, he had memorized all the lines. It was extraordinary, and there were many, many lines, the play was all dialogue similar to a trial, at the bar of justice.
At the end of the show, all three actors came out ....... two bowed and gracefully strode to the wings, leaving Mr. Laughton, alone, to take his well deserved bows.
It was memorable ......
