The Beggar's Opera (1953)
- Starring:
- Laurence Olivier, Stanley Holloway, (more)
- Director(s):
- Peter Brook
Synopsis of The Beggar's Opera
Laurence Olivier makes his singing debut in this lively adaptation of John Gay's 18th century theatrical piece The Beggar's Opera. Olivier stars as Captain MacHeath, the leader of all bandits and cutthroats in England. MacHeath is in love with Polly Peachum (Dorothy Tutin), the daughter of beggar king Peachum (George Devine). He has also dallied with Lucy (Daphne Anderson), the offspring of corrupt constable (Stanley Holloway) Lockit. Since it is in the best interest for both Peachum and Lockit to rid the world of MacHeath, the two conspire to imprison and hang the scoundrel, but an unexpected turn of events rescues MacHeath from the executioner's noose. Adapted for the screen by Dennis Canaan and Christopher Fry, The Beggar's Opera manages to retain the raffish charm of the stage original while still being wholly cinematic in approach and execution. The same basic story was later retooled by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill as The Threepenny Opera. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Complete Cast of The Beggar's Opera
- Laurence Olivier - Capt. MacHeath
- George Devine - Peachum
- Hugh Griffith - The Beggar
- Athene Seyler - Mrs. Trapes
- Dorothy Tutin - Polly Peachum
- Cyril Conway
- Laurence Naismith
- John Baker
- Ondrej Vetchý
- George Rose - 1st Turnkey
- Felix Felton
- Stanley Holloway - Lockit
- Daphne Anderson - Lucy Lockit
- Mary Clare - Mrs. Peachum
- Yvonne Furneaux - Jenny Diver
- Dennis Cannan - Footman
- Margot Grahame - Actress
- John Kidd
- Bombardier Billy Wells - Hangman
- Kenny Williams - Jack
- Sandra Dorne - Sukey Tawdrey
- Director(s):
- Peter Brook
- Writer(s):
- Christopher Fry, Dennis Cannan
- Producer(s):
- Herbert Wilcox, Laurence Olivier
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