Research Catalog

[Interviews with Tony Randall and Robert Whitehead]

Title: [Interviews with Tony Randall and Robert Whitehead] [videorecording] / City University Television, The Center for Advance Study in Theatre Arts (CASTA) [presents]
Publication: New York, [between 1989 and 1990]

Details

Additional Authors

Description

1 videocassette (VHS) (112 min.) : sd., col.; 1/2 in.

Summary

Four separate interviews, two with Tony Randall and two with Robert Whitehead (ca. 28 min. each)
Tony Randall discusses his role in David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly, his studies at Neighborhood Playhouse with Sanford Meisner, his Army service, difficulties finding work afterwards, seeing a psychiatrist for 2 years, his big break on the Mr. Peepers television program, the acting talents of Paul Muni, Katharine Cornell, and Ethel Barrymore, his plans for opening a classical repertory theater and acting school in New York City [later called the National Actors Theatre], studying voice for 30 years, the similarities he finds in acting technique for the stage, television, and film, his love of acting, how he prepares his roles, especially his roles in M. Butterfly and Felix in The odd couple television series, and the decline in quality of television and Broadway.
Producer Robert Whitehead discusses the 1947 production of Robinson Jeffers' adaptation of the Medea of Euripides with Judith Anderson in the title role with John Gielgud as director, its 1982 revival with Zoe Caldwell as Medea and Judith Anderson as the nurse under his own direction, the differences in theater in the 1930's through the early 1950's and today, the absence of major playwrights, his friendship and working relationship with Harold Clurman and their first play together, Member of the wedding, working with Ethel Waters, Julie Harris, and Brandon de Wilde in that play, working with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne on Friedrich Dürrenmatt's The visit under Peter Brook's direction, his production of Tennessee Williams' Orpheus descending compared to the 1989 revival with Vanessa Redgrave, how he produced much of Arthur Miller's work, often with Harold Clurman directing, and how the death of Marilyn Monroe affected Miller's writing of After the fall.

Series Statement

CUNY Spotlight

Alternative Title

Mr. Peepers (Television program)

Subject

Genre/Form

Interviews.

Note

Part of the series, CUNY Spotlight, broadcast on CUNY-TV, sponsored by the City University of New York.

Performer (note)

Interviewed by Edwin Wilson.

Event (note)

Videotaped by the cable station, CUNY-TV, New York, N.Y.

Call Number

NCOW 108

OCLC

NYPG98-F361

Title

[Interviews with Tony Randall and Robert Whitehead] [videorecording] / City University Television, The Center for Advance Study in Theatre Arts (CASTA) [presents]

Imprint

New York, [between 1989 and 1990]

Series

CUNY Spotlight

Performer

Interviewed by Edwin Wilson.

Event

Videotaped by the cable station, CUNY-TV, New York, N.Y.

Added Author

Randall, Tony, interviewee.

Whitehead, Robert, 1916-2002, interviewee.

Wilson, Edwin, 1927- interviewer.

City University of New York.

Added Title

Mr. Peepers (Television program)

Research Call Number

NCOW 108

View in Legacy Catalog