pholmer

In reference to a previous comment, the Lion's name, Tommy, comes from the original text of Shaw's play at the end of Act II. Androcles also talks baby talk to the Lion while he is removing the thorn from his paw in the Prologue (or first scene) of the play. Also I think Victor Mature does a pretty good job as the Captain, although some might be put off by the clash of his accent and acting style with the rest of the mostly British cast. However, Mature's style is well suited to the no-nonsense, pragmatic officer trying desperately to save the patrician Lavinia from being sacrificed in the arena. He tells her to lie and recant her Christian beliefs if that is what it takes to save her life; then she can go home and believe whatever she wants. Mature's less polished acting style underscores his amoral pragmatism as well as his worldly desire for Lavinia. He is her temptation, her incentive the deny her faith. That she resists this demonstrates her dedication to her religion.

This series starred Hal Holbrook as a dedicated U.S. Senator (remember when we had those?) who is in charge of the investigation of a Kent State-like shooting. I don't remember all the details, but it did concern the shooting of campus anti-war protesters by nervous National Guardsmen. I especially remember it because I knew Randy Mantooth (Emergency!) who played the young commander of the soldiers who was himself a college student. I worked with Randy in the Santa Barbara Youth Summer Theatre for two or three years. I also knew Robert Pratt who played one of the main protesters from student days at the University of California, Riverside Theatre Dept. It was a good episode of a good show. It was the only time I ever saw two people I actually knew at the same time on TV.

This series starred Hal Holbrook as a dedicated U.S. Senator (remember when we had those?) who is in charge of the investigation of a Kent State-like shooting. I don't remember all the details, but it did concern the shooting of campus anti-war protesters by nervous National Guardsmen. I especially remember it because I knew Randy Mantooth (Emergency!) who played the young commander of the soldiers who was himself a college student. I worked with Randy in the Santa Barbara Youth Summer Theatre for two or three years. I also knew Robert Pratt who played one of the main protesters from student days at the University of California, Riverside Theatre Dept. It was a good episode of a good show. It was the only time I ever saw two people I actually knew at the same time on TV.