A Night to Remember (1956 TV Show)

[Mike Poirier]

I was wondering if the 1956 Kraft version of A Night to Remember was available?
Mike

 

[Pat Cook]

Actually, Michael, every so often a copy shows up for auction on Ebay. If I run across one, I'll post it for you.

Best regards,
Cook

 

[Encyclopedia Titanica]

About three months ago there was an original 16mm TV print of this on eBay, I got pipped in the last ten second for it.

Phil

 

[Pat Cook]

And trust me - I've seen Phil when he's pipped - something that defies words.
Note to Lorna - email me privately; I've got photos.

Sneakily,
Cook

 

[Lorna Hind]

Cook - photos you say? How much are you asking? I've got money (well, a bit).

Lorna

 

[Pat Cook]

Dear long suffering Lorna,

Maybe I better find out just what photos Phil has of this old country boy - perhaps an exchange deal can be worked out.

See if you can purloin any such photos which include a very large, bearded man, possibly down on all fours.

Your humble servant,
Cook

 

[Randy Bryan Bigham]

All,

Some may already be aware of this, but Kinevideo now has out the 1956 NBC-TV version of Lord's "A Night to Remember," which was originally produced live on the Kraft Television Theatre Program and later re-broadcast by popular demand. One review I read mentioned the teleplay made use of 7 cameras and 31 sets which must have been a feat for those days.

Here's the link to Kinevideo. The video is $15.00. "ANTR" is listed as vol. 9. Scroll down for ordering info:

kinevideo.net/dramas.php

Randy

[Moderator's Note: Link updated 2/26/07. MAB]

 

[Joshua Gulch]

Randy,
Thanks for the info! Just ordered it! Woo-hoo!

Josh.

 

[Pat Cook]

Hi Randy!

Thanks for the heads up on this video. However, I would urge you, Josh and anyone else thinking about buying it to ask first about the quality of the video. I have seen a tape of the Kraft Television Theater's version of "A Night To Remember" and it was, to say the least, VERY rough. It looked as if it had been taped from the original broadcast over a tv with very bad reception - scrambled images, blurred and snowy scenes, etc. The reason I worry about this one is the version I saw ALSO, like this one, came on a double bill with "Ernie Barger Is 50" starring Ed Begley.

I guess it's the old case of caveat emptor - anyway, doesn't hurt to ask. Hopefully, this one is a clear copy. It's fascinating to see live tv in action and especially with such a mammoth production as this one. If I recall, Claude Rains narrates and Patric MacNee plays Andrews.

Best regards,
Cook

 

[Randy Bryan Bigham]

Cook,

Thanks. You're right that one should be wary; the price of $15.00 does seeem too good to be true, come to think of it! But as it may be the only copy available for a long time it could be worth seeing even with the defects.

Do you remember if the Duff Gordons were portrayed - or Edith Russell? What about your own Mr. Beesley?

Randy

 

[David G. Brown]

In 1956 there was no video tape. The only way to record a program was to put it on film via the "kinescope" process. This machine transferred the 60 frames per second of the TV image to 24 frames per second of film. To do this, some of the movie frames had to be exposed to two TV frames. That's part of the reason for the blur. The other part of the reason is the inherent fuzzness of the TV picture. So, what is being offered is probably an accurate copy of a professionally-done kinescope. At best, it is a pale shadow of the original program. But that was all anyone could do before video tape.

For those of you who are too young to remember, there was a day before 6-transistor radios and pong games when TV was "live" because it had to be done that way. And, TV cameras were big, hulking things on cast aluminum pedistals that took two men to move.

I remember the first practicable video tape machine, vintage 1962. It took up five 19-inch racks with just vacuum tubes (little glass things that got hot and glowed orange). The tubes created so much heat that the machine needed its own private air conditioner. And, the tape transport was another box about 4-feet wide. Due to the limitations of those vacuum tubes, we could record a color program, but only play it back in black & white.

Ah, those were the days...

-- David G. Brown
Once-upon-a-time TV Producer

 

[Pat Cook]

David's quite right, as those of us old enough to remember. It was quite literally the "Golden Age of Television" with many anthology series going out live.

To answer Randy's question, yes the Duff Gordons are in it, only briefly as they loaded into their lifeboat. However, L Beesley was not (I only know of one version of the story where he's portrayed by an actor).

A little background for those interested - this from TV GUIDE, April 28 - May 4, 1956. The production presented by Kraft Television Theater was the largest ever mounted at that time and was directed by George Roy Hill. It required 7 of those bulky cameras David mentioned, 31 sets and 107 actors (72 with speaking parts). It was performed first live and then a kinescope shown a short time later in a repeat performance.

Best regards,
Cook

 

[Randy Bryan Bigham]

Cook,

Thanks for the details on this show. My goodness, 107 actors for live tv. Kinda puts the soaps to shame!

Randy

 

[Joshua Gulch]

I was discussing this with Bill last night. I'm buying it more for the novelty of owning it rather than getting all worked up over the quality. This is one I've been wanting to see for a while and never had the chance to, so there's my motivation behind buying it. So when it comes in I'll report back on the quality of the film.

Josh.

 

[Kate Bortner]

Josh, please let us know what it's like. After hearing David & Cook's accounts of it's production I am more eager than before to see it.
Wow! 72 speaking roles in live tv is amazing! Way to keep those actors employed!!!
-kate.