Hal Holbrook: Mark Twain Tonight!

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.

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.

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.

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've been a fan of Hal Holbrook probably since I was growing up in the 1970's and saw him as the lead bad guy in 'Magnum Force' opposite Clint Eastwood. He is just a great, great actor and still going strong at 90 years old. Just saw 'Mark Twain Tonight!' again last night at the University of New Mexico for the 2nd time in the last few years. This one man stage show is older than I am by a few years and just wonderful. The live show is always changing due to the many writings and commentaries of real life philosophical humorist Samuel Clemens as the author Mark Twain. The show last night was brilliant and I'm ready to see it again. If you're a fan of social commentary by real thinking men such as Mark Twain and Will Rogers, then this show is for you. Sometimes side splitting funny and sometimes it will bring a tear to your eyes with its poignancy. Mark Twain's musings and social commentary were written over a hundred years ago and are as relevant today as when they they were first penned and or spoken. In every sense of the words Mr Holbrook does honor & justice to the works of the great writer American Mark Twain. Hal Holbrook has Tony and Emmy awards to his name along with an Academy Award nomination. Hopefully in the not too distant future he will receive a Lifetime Achievement Academy Award. He is 90 this year so the A.M.P.A.S. Oscar folks better hurry up. Hal Holbrook is that good.