Hal Holbrook: Mark Twain Tonight!

I have always been a very conservative person who does not like change. I guess one of the reasons that I love Mark Twain Tonight is that Hal Holbrook and this remarkable one man show have been a constant in American society for fifty years. Holbrook was only in his twenties when he started playing the 70 year old Twain in schools and at PTAs. He spent five years researching Twain's life, he read his writings and speeches and studied ancient films of him. He even talked to people who had seen Twain speak. In 1959, Mark Twain Tonight quietly opened on Broadway. The critics to a person praised the young actor and this remarkable show. One said there should have been posters all over the place announcing its arrival. Everything about this show is perfect another critic said. Holbrook gives a brilliant performance. He actually makes you believe he IS Mark Twain. The fact it is hilarious and touching is just so much gravy. Holbrook has given over 2,000 Twain shows, even performing behind the Iron Curtain. I am an Army Sergeant stationed at Fort Detrick in Maryland. I was lucky enough, I say again LUCKY, to see this legendary actor perform at the Weinburg Center here in Frederick, Maryland. The night was magical. Mister Holbrook is an American treasure and I wish everyone could see this wonderful show. The amazing thing is that he knows over 14 hours of Twain material and makes every show different! He just makes it up as he goes along. What is even more incredible is the fact that so many of Twain's observations are as relevant today as a newspaper headline. He talks of the stupidity of war and polticians and the press. It is just incredible. This is a show that makes you feel good and laugh but also makes you think as well. It is a testimony to the genius of Samuel Langhorne Clemens AND of Hal Holbrook!

I first saw this program when it was originally broadcast in 1967. Until that time I hadn't paid much attention to Mark Twain's life and career, but Mr. Holbrook's amazing performance awakened an interest in those subjects that has proved to be very rewarding. Twain was an authentic American genius, and Mr. Holbrook does a wonderful job of conveying the nature of the man and his writing. I was lucky enough to see Mr. Holbrook in person in the mid-70's, and the CBS program, although different than that live performance, is a perfect 90-minute demonstration of what Mr. Holbrook can do. This video is a priceless gift to Americans, both for the quality of the performance and its depiction of the nature of the man being portrayed. We are all in Mr. Holbrook's debt.

It is sad to think about how far we've fallen, from "Mark Twain Tonight" on network television in 1967 to the awful nonsense shown on it now. At one time, at least, we were better than we are now.

I showed this to my college writing classes for 25 years. I got to meet him once after one of his productions. He was wonderful. It was a a great experience. He was late for a dinner date with Dixie Carter. He kept saying I have to go but he stopped repeatedly to sign all autographs. I'm running out of words here but my review is too short. They need to understand what clear and concise means. Maybe they didn't take a writing course. Length is not important it's what and how you write. Mark Twain knew that. Someone here should watch the play. The original 1967 version is available on tape or streaming.

I remember watching the first broadcast decades ago and am again watching it tonight for the first time since.

Like Julie Harris's "The Belle of Amherst", it's unforgettable and must be preserved for posterity.

Hal Holbrook's greatest work. A one-man show in which Holbrook becomes Twain. If this gets people to read more Twain (which everyone should) it's done its job. One of the best things broadcast TV ever did.