The Actor. Sir Alec Guinness defines actors, and the London Theater Circuit. ABC Special 1968.

From the NY Times 55 years ago: "On March 15 1968 at 8:30 on ABC, Sir Alec Guinness will step on stage at London's Old Vic Theater, gaze about him and remark, "When the actor stands here, challenging the darkness, he offers himself as a kind of human sacrifice." Then Sir Alec, as host and narrator, will lead viewers through "The Actor," an hour-long television essay devoted to revealing "the special characteristics of this special race."" A cerebral exploration of English Theater, and theater in general. An engrossing look at what makes an actor want to be an actor. Prominent actors, directors of the stage take you on a journey to discover this "special race". Alan Brien, Peter Brook, Peter Bull, Tyrone Guthrie, Joan Littlewood, Harold Pinter, Joan Plowright, Nicol Williamson, and Donald Wolfit explain the phenomena. Joan Plowright discusses a lack of diverse and empowering roles for women in theater. Nicol Williamson expresses a rebellious and non-conformist attitude towards acting and awards. There are so many interesting and prominent people in this film...you have to watch. The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Donald Wolfit's Shakespearean company, The Theater Royale in the East end of London are prominent in the discussion. And lots more. This is a full network print with commercial as aired in 1968. An added bonus is B.F. Goodrich launched the Radial Age ad campaign with 50-foot-tall woman in the commercials. So enjoy "Miss Radial Age", 50ft tall in a miniskirt, wandering the countryside, helping motorists. Transferred from 16mm b-w film.

[@tomservo56954]

The jingle in the tire ad is from the 1966 Petula Clark song "A Sign Of The Times"

[@davidbennett9691]

An interesting retrospective featuring actors who are now as remote to us as Irving and Kean were to them.

[@josephososkie3029]

29.00 James Stewart did a TV Christmas play years ago and put so much into the one take, that he said he could never do that part again.

[@vbacs22]

Man, Nicol Williamson couldn't shrug off his intensity for one second in his life. "I'm going to die quite young anyway" Well, fortunately he was wrong in this case.

[@kengeorgejones6855]

Another old gem I had never heard of. Thank you so much. A good example of how much the British wave hit Hollywood in the mid '60s for this to be aired.