Robert Tanitch reviews the latest DVDs
It was the first time many critics felt British production values could be judged by the best international standards. On board the train are: a thief (Donald Calthrop) who has stolen a Van Dyke; two criminals (Conrad Veidt and Hugh Williams) who are out to get him; a miserly, dishonest millionaire (Cedric Hardwicke) who pretends to be philanthropic and bullies his meek secretary (Eliot Makeham); a boring ass (Gordon Harker) who buttonholes everybody; a film star (Ester Ralston) who wants to get away from her publicity agent (Finlay Currie); a couple (Harold Huth and Joan Barry) who are worried their secret affair will become very public; and then there is the French Chief of Police (Frank Vosper).
This version is by Ken Stowell and Francia Russell, husband and wife and founding artistic directors of Pacific Southwest Ballet.
The production premiered at Seattle Opera House in 1983 and has been the company’s economic mainstay ever since. It ran every Christmas until last year. The production is set in the Regency era and looks very pretty.
The cast in the film includes Patricia Baker as Clara, Wade Walthall as the Nutcracker and Hugh Bigney as a very kinky Drosselmeyer, whom no parent today would let their child near.
One of the main attractions is the spectacle provided by the children’s illustrator Maurice Sendak with his whimsical designs.
You can buy your copy of either of these DVDs here:
