Michael Myerberg Movies
Rod Serling's incisive "gray flannel suit" TV drama created such a sensation when Kraft Television Theatre first aired it live on January 11, 1955 that, in an unprecedented move, it was repeated four weeks later, on February 9, again live. Richard Kiley starred as Fred Staples, a bright young man from Cincinnati brought into the executive pool at a top New York firm by ruthless CEO Ramsey (Everett Sloane). Staples doesn't know it at first, but he was recruited as the potential replacement for Andy Sloane (Ed Begley), an ailing exec whom Ramsey is easing out in a most unsubtle fashion. Staples takes a liking to Sloane and despises Ramsey's tactics; the question is: does he despise them enough to throw away the biggest opportunity in his life? Director Fielder Cook, who helmed both TV versions of Patterns, also did the same for the 1956 film version. While Everett Sloane and Ed Begley were carried over from TV, the more "bankable" Van Heflin replaced Kiley as Staples. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Van Heflin, Ed Begley, Sr., (more)
Engelbert Humperdinck's delightful opera Hansel and Gretel comes to the screen in a novel manner, courtesy of producer Michael Myerberg. This beloved tale of two children who get lost in the woods and foil a cunning, cannibalistic witch was enacted by a cast of electronically controlled puppets. The voices of the characters are provided by Anna Russell, Mildred Dunnock, Frank Rogier, and Constance Brigham, the latter playing both Hansel and Gretel. The English-language libretto was adapted for the screen by Irish-American essayist Padraic Colum. Released theatrically by RKO Radio in 1954, Hansel and Gretel was released to television four years later, where it became a Yuletide tradition in several markets. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Russell, Mildred Dunnock, (more)
