The Mark Twain Show 1.of.10

[@ralphedelbach]

In the early 1960's, my wife and I were students at MSC in NJ where Hal did a show. As a yearbook photographer, I photographed him backstage before the performance and while he was on stage. I have fond memories of a masterful performance by a classy man. RIP

[@MsAppassionata]

R.I.P. Hal. You were one hellova great actor.

[@DustWarden]

"I hope you don't mind if I smoke... As long as there're no children present..." I was like 12 the first time I saw this live - in what was, even then, a "historic" theater. And he absolutely _smoked_ that cigar. Now that I think about it, he did the same thing at yet another (tiny) historic theater - in a historic district which did NOT truck with that sort of foolery. But smoke he did, because no one stops Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain.

[@grim8080]

That's just awesome

[@pawned79]

RIP Hal Holbrook (1925 - 2021)

[@theGrooveChampion]

I thought that this would be hard to find. Glad I was wrong! Thanks for posting this and all the rest.

[@voodooshizzle]

I would not argue if someone said Mark Twain was the greatest writer America has ever produced. Recently reread Huckleberry Finn. It is truly a marvel.

[@avalsonline2]

i would ague that twain was the first quintessentially american writer.

[@jessesteck8381]

john doe I think when people say that, what they mean is that writers like Hawthorne and Melville read today like they were still just transplanted British, and the culture from which they wrote is much the same--I can see that, I guess.

[@anonymas1582]

Melville and Poe were contemporaries. All 3 diff ... I don't know what criteria would measure one being more "american" than the others. I could go for "uniquely" american ... so maybe that's what the "quint" in "quintessentially" is about. I've never quite understood that word.

[@RedneckBarStoriesRonVincent]

I utterly agree. He is the gold standard.

[@sportster16301]

Holbrook has excellent delivery of Mark Twain's commentary.

[@nightshadedesign]

Amazing performance and a damned fine makeup as well. He was barely in his forties when this was filmed.

[@francismausley7239]

Ah... the best genuine humorist.... "It is good to laugh. Laughter is spiritual relaxation." ~ Abdul-Baha, Baha'i Faith

[@jec1ny]

This was so good that if by some chance I were magically transported back in time... and had occasion to meet the real Mark Twain, I fear the experience would be rather disappointing.

[@johnprovince5304]

Look to the work. Not the person. It's nearly always a disappointment.

[@colemanadamson5943]

My left ear is now twained.

[@kevinjasper6620]

Hal Holbrook does an excellent job.

[@bill2953]

The man was transformed

[@bongfairy]

Thats my great great uncle

[@mykkie100]

Your great great uncle is a great, great actor! His timing is perfect! I believe Twain would be proud!

[@PatrickRob82]

Well that just great

[@samratgyawali2809]

I just wanna say that he is amazing

[@patrickmullane30]

I got to see him and meet him and what a charming and talented man he was! You must be very proud of him and your great great aunt 😘👍

[@grim8080]

That's so cool

[@jamietodd2560]

RIP Hal Holbrook

[@Razei-habriut]

I am looking for the point in the 67 shows that he says "my doctor says I'm on t5he verge of being an old man" can anybody help?

[@fractuss]

Thanks.

[@luciferstaxi]

Outstanding! Firstly: You look- and are dressed- exactly like By The Mark Twain! (Haw.) His name, was Samuel Clemons- by the way. Your voice, and your mannerisms- mimic what I already know about that man: that is very well done! As to your claim- that Samuel Clemons is the greatest American Writer- I shall have to think about that, (There are so many of them). But why is Mark Twain being remembered here? Perhaps it is because this man, had an important message to give to his fellow Americans, about something that is even more important- now- than when it was nearly 100 years ago?

[@mikelheron20]

Samuel Langhorne Clemens. (Not Clemons)

[@withonelook1985]

Its telling that no recording of Mark Twains voice exists, but every person playing Twain since this has sounded like that.

[@Razei-habriut]

there actually is. I saw a video clip in black and white and of course, afterword Hal Holbrook doing the same, the difference was the quality

[@withonelook1985]

@@Razei-habriut No, there isn't. The only thing that exists is a recording of William Gillette doing an impression of Twain.

[@zacariahcampbell1304]

I'm related to this guy.

[@gregsmith1719]

Poor sound. Can't understand. Need closed captions.

[@collinheil5794]

Who else here for Rosatis Class Ayooooooooooooooooo