Brigadoon

Like a previous commentor, I also remember seeing this in the late 60's, whether on it's first showing or a later one I'm not positive, but for over 30 years it's lived in my memory as a wonderful experience. Very different than the Hollywood version, this Brigadoon was quietly romantic and vividly atmospheric. With Robert Goulet and Sally Ann Howes, of course there was singing, but not in the Hollywood production number style. They sang with an inner power that didn't overpower; in fact, I had quite a crush on Robert Goulet after seeing this TV production. It evidently is not available for purchase anywhere, and I would dearly love to see this again.

Okay, I'm speaking out of my hat here. I was only three when this aired and I don't remember having seen it, but I do have the cast album and it is tremendously good.

I can only imagine what it must have been like to see Edward Villella dance. Goulet and Howe are perfect leads, and Tommy Carlisle has a delightful tenor.

This must have been recorded for posterity. Why on earth it isn't on DVD...

Recreating it as a dance vehicle for semi-singer Gene Kelly and non-singer Cyd Charisse may have seemed like a good idea, but this one needs a singer's treatment, and the TV broadcast should be available.

Whom do I write?

The entire "Brigadoon" can be downloaded legally for private use from www.archive.com, the website of the U.S. National Archives. Apparently the producers failed to renew the show's copyright and it fell into the Public Domain (disclaimers are posted on the website). It's a beautiful production consistent with mid-1960s TV syntax and is especially valuable for its long, unbroken takes where one can watch the actors actually construct a sustained performance. That said, the inevitable cuts to the book undermine the already-fragile premise of a village that comes back to life every hundred years. This "Brigadoon" needs to be watched with a knowledge of the original -- which was, itself, hard to swallow except for (sigh) romantics.

I saw this in 1966..I was 13...just discovering my love for the theatre...and for a girl in my 8th grade class. A very heady collision. I have since seen the film...(ouch)...seen the 1980 B'way revival...(excellent!!)!...been in the show...and directed it as well. This was a fine accounting of the show. Goulet was at the top of his game..the last of the 60s leading men..Peter Falk was the PERFECT Jeff...and Sally Anne Howes was lovely...It played on TV like a real theatre piece...not as a film...and it prospered by that..it was cut severely...but judiciously....retaining the best of the show...(though its full text is wonderful)...the arrangements were altered a bit for Goulet's style...such as Almost Like Being in Love...which has a strict, even tempo as written.....this version pushed the tempo quite a bit...and it worked.... but..you won't find a better accounting of There But For You Go I...

I watched it....and wanted to be Tommy Albright..at 13...and now..at 51...I have finally found my Fiona..and I adore her.

Also: I still have the LP..somewhat worn....in 1966..you could buy it at any Armstrong Flooring outlet...for....$1!!!..as a promo for the TV show.

I'm from Scotland, & the Kelly version just didn't have it, even although it was entertaining, but the 1966 Goulet version was more realistic & caught the essence of the highlands, I know because, I was a youth hostel member & my happiest memories are when my group of mates & I would travel all over the highlands, magic. With movies that run hundreds of times on our TV over & over again, I can't believe they keep this gem under wraps. I would pay any one $100 if they could send me a copy taken in the 1966 version. Again it's difficult to believe the powers at be pass up the opportunity to make millions of dollars on this film. I remember the movie played twice in the one day, & as I sat there enjoying my vicarious journey to my childhood homeland my heart just swelled with joy. Walter White email < ww76@sbcglobal.net.