Requiem for a Heavyweight (partially found BBC Sunday-Night Theatre TV play; 1957): Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{InfoboxLost | ||
|title=Requiem for a Heavyweight | |title=<center>Requiem for a Heavyweight</center> | ||
|image=requiem.jpg | |image=requiem.jpg | ||
|imagecaption=Publicity photograph of Sean Connery portraying Mountain McClintock | |imagecaption=Publicity photograph of Sean Connery portraying Mountain McClintock. | ||
|status=Partially | |status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span> | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Requiem for a Heavyweight''' is teleplay written by Rod Serling, most well-known for his TV series ''The Twilight Zone''. It was produced for ''Playhouse 90'', a live TV show, on | '''''Requiem for a Heavyweight''''' is teleplay written by Rod Serling, most well-known for his TV series ''The Twilight Zone''. It was produced for ''Playhouse 90'', a live TV show, on October 9th, 1956. It was also adapted into a movie, in 1962, starring Anthony Quinn. | ||
The BBC adapted the teleplay for their live TV play show ''Sunday-Night Theatre'', which in itself has many lost episodes. It aired on | The BBC adapted the teleplay for their live TV play show ''Sunday-Night Theatre'', which in itself has many lost episodes. It aired on March 31st, 1957. It's notable for being the first major role of Sean Connery, most well-known for playing the first film adaptation of ''James Bond''.<ref> [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27665619 'Lost' Sean Connery play recording unearthed by director. - BBC] Retrieved 25 Mar '21</ref> | ||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
| Line 17: | Line 13: | ||
==BBC Production== | ==BBC Production== | ||
According to Alvin Rakoff (the director) the production was halted due to Jack Palance (he portrayed McClintock in the original ''Playhouse 90'' production) declined to appear. Rakoff was then tasked to find a replacement. He was told by Jacqueline Hill, who would play Grace Carney and had worked with Rakoff in multiple occasions, to choose an extra by the name of Sean Connery, whom Rakoff had worked with in ''The Comdemned''. She stated "The ladies will like him". Hill is most known for portraying Barbara Wright in Doctor Who and ended up marrying Rakoff the year after this production. | According to Alvin Rakoff (the director) the production was halted due to Jack Palance (he portrayed McClintock in the original ''Playhouse 90'' production) declined to appear. Rakoff was then tasked to find a replacement. He was told by Jacqueline Hill, who would play Grace Carney and had worked with Rakoff in multiple occasions, to choose an extra by the name of Sean Connery, whom Rakoff had worked with in ''The Comdemned''. She stated "The ladies will like him". Hill is most known for portraying Barbara Wright in ''Doctor Who'' and ended up marrying Rakoff the year after this production.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190417080027/https://rodserling.com/2HWeights.htm Requiem for Two Heavyweights. - rodsterling.com (archived)] Retrieved 25 Mar '21</ref> | ||
Despite Rakoff not being fond of Connery's accent, he still casted him as the main character. | Despite Rakoff not being fond of Connery's accent, he still casted him as the main character. | ||
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==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
The Times wrote "It is unfortunate that Mr. Serling has allowed a saccharine romance to intrude into this self-sufficient and wholly masculine situation. Otherwise his touch is sure. Although physically miscast as the fighter, Mr. Sean Connery played with a shambling and inarticulate charm that almost made the love affair credible." | The Times wrote: <blockquote>"It is unfortunate that Mr. Serling has allowed a saccharine romance to intrude into this self-sufficient and wholly masculine situation. Otherwise his touch is sure. Although physically miscast as the fighter, Mr. Sean Connery played with a shambling and inarticulate charm that almost made the love affair credible."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1956/10/12/archives/tv-requiem-for-a-heavyweight-rod-serlings-drama-scores-a-knockout.html TV: 'Requiem for a Heavyweight'; Rod Serling's Drama Scores a Knockout - New York Times] Retrieved 01 Apr '21</ref></blockquote> | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
The episode has not survived in full due to it being a live performance, and BBC frequently wiping out tapes during the | The episode has not survived in full due to it being a live performance, and BBC frequently wiping out tapes during the 1950s when they believed they had no use for it anymore. | ||
Telesnaps taken by John Cura exist in Alvin Rakoff's possession. Also in Rakoff's possession is an audio recording of the show, which was discovered in his attic in 2014. | Telesnaps taken by John Cura exist in Alvin Rakoff's possession. Also in Rakoff's possession is an audio recording of the show, which was discovered in his attic in 2014. | ||
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==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
===Video=== | |||
{{Video|perrow =1 | {{Video|perrow =1 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
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|description1 =The original Playhouse 90 version. | |description1 =The original Playhouse 90 version. | ||
}} | }} | ||
===Images=== | |||
<gallery mode=packed heights=275px> | <gallery mode=packed heights=275px> | ||
requiem2.jpg | requiem2.jpg | ||
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requiem7.jpg | requiem7.jpg | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==External Links== | |||
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_for_a_Heavyweight Wikipedia article on the teleplay.] | |||
*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1117708/ IMDB page on the teleplay.] | |||
*[https://www.tvbrain.info/tv-archive?showname=Sunday-Night+Theatre&type=lostshow TVBrain search query on BBC's Sunday-Night Theatre.] | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Lost TV]] | |||
[[Category:Partially found media]] | |||
Revision as of 18:27, 1 April 2021
Publicity photograph of Sean Connery portraying Mountain McClintock.
Status: Partially Found
Requiem for a Heavyweight is teleplay written by Rod Serling, most well-known for his TV series The Twilight Zone. It was produced for Playhouse 90, a live TV show, on October 9th, 1956. It was also adapted into a movie, in 1962, starring Anthony Quinn.
The BBC adapted the teleplay for their live TV play show Sunday-Night Theatre, which in itself has many lost episodes. It aired on March 31st, 1957. It's notable for being the first major role of Sean Connery, most well-known for playing the first film adaptation of James Bond.[1]
Plot
Mountain McClintock is a heavyweight boxing champion suffering from "punch drunk syndrome". Still, his manager exploits him, since he owes money to the mafia.
BBC Production
According to Alvin Rakoff (the director) the production was halted due to Jack Palance (he portrayed McClintock in the original Playhouse 90 production) declined to appear. Rakoff was then tasked to find a replacement. He was told by Jacqueline Hill, who would play Grace Carney and had worked with Rakoff in multiple occasions, to choose an extra by the name of Sean Connery, whom Rakoff had worked with in The Comdemned. She stated "The ladies will like him". Hill is most known for portraying Barbara Wright in Doctor Who and ended up marrying Rakoff the year after this production.[2]
Despite Rakoff not being fond of Connery's accent, he still casted him as the main character.
Rakoff also wrote new material, with Serling approval, to accomodate costume changes (US television had ad breaks during shows, while UK television did not).
Another notable cast member is Michael Caine, who was featured in one of the newly added scenes.
Reception
The Times wrote:
"It is unfortunate that Mr. Serling has allowed a saccharine romance to intrude into this self-sufficient and wholly masculine situation. Otherwise his touch is sure. Although physically miscast as the fighter, Mr. Sean Connery played with a shambling and inarticulate charm that almost made the love affair credible."[3]
Availability
The episode has not survived in full due to it being a live performance, and BBC frequently wiping out tapes during the 1950s when they believed they had no use for it anymore.
Telesnaps taken by John Cura exist in Alvin Rakoff's possession. Also in Rakoff's possession is an audio recording of the show, which was discovered in his attic in 2014.
Since 2016, a reconstruction using the telesnaps and audio has been in the works. However it is unknown when it's going to be released.
Gallery
Video
Images
External Links
- Wikipedia article on the teleplay.
- IMDB page on the teleplay.
- TVBrain search query on BBC's Sunday-Night Theatre.
References
- ↑ 'Lost' Sean Connery play recording unearthed by director. - BBC Retrieved 25 Mar '21
- ↑ Requiem for Two Heavyweights. - rodsterling.com (archived) Retrieved 25 Mar '21
- ↑ TV: 'Requiem for a Heavyweight'; Rod Serling's Drama Scores a Knockout - New York Times Retrieved 01 Apr '21