Victoria Reginais an Americanhistorical dramatelevision filmthat aired onNBCon November 30, 1961, as part of the anthology seriesHallmark Hall of Fame.The production, covering 60 years in the life ofQueen Victoria,was nominated for sevenPrimetime Emmy Awards,winningProgram of the Year,Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (forJulie Harris), and Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actress (forPamela Brown).
| Victoria Regina | |
|---|---|
 Julie Harris and James Donald | |
| Based on | Victoria Regina byLaurence Housman |
| Screenplay by | Robert Hartung |
| Directed by | George Schaefer |
| Starring | |
| Composers |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | George Schaefer |
| Running time | 77 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | November 30, 1961 |
| Related | |
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Plot
editThe production depicts the life of Great Britain'sQueen Victoriathrough vignettes starting with her accession to the throne at age 18, covering her romance with Prince Albert, and ending with her time as an elderly widow at age 78.
Cast
editThe actors noted in the opening credits were:[1]
- Julie HarrisasQueen Victoria
- James DonaldasPrince Albert
- Felix AylmerasLord Melbourne
- Pamela BrownasDuchess of Kent,Victoria's mother
- Isabel Jeansas mistress of the robes
- Barry Jonesas the Dean
- Basil RathboneasLord Beaconsfield
- Inga Swensonas Lady Jane
Production
editVictoria Reginawas based onLaurence Housman'splay of the same name,which ran on Broadway in the 1930s withHelen Hayesin the title role.[2][3]Robert Hartung adapted Housman's play for television.George Schaeferserved as producer and director.[1]
One of the film's challenges was to have Harris believably age by 60 years from age 18 to age 78. NBC makeup artist Bob O'Bradovich used a combination of makeup and various devices, including a rubber mask and false nose to achieve the effect.[4]One reviewer noted that the devices were a debit to the production, as Harris seemed "barely animated" behind the layers of latex.[5]
The film aired onNBCon November 30, 1961, as part of theHallmark Hall of Fameseries.[5]
Reception
editReviews
editInThe New York Times,Jack Gould described Harris' performance as impeccable, magnificent, inspired, touching, and "a work of flowing ecstasy and poignancy." Gould also credited Robert O'Bradovich with a triumph for his makeup work.[6]
In theLos Angeles Times,Cecil Smithcalled it "a rich and delicately woven tapestry that gave television its most rewarding 90 minutes of the season." For special honors, he called out Harris ( "a superb performance" ), Warren Clymer (scenery), and Noel Taylor (costumes).[7]
Cynthia Lowry of theAssociated Presswrote that it was "beautifully produced" and "meticulously performed". However, partly due to the shadow cast byHelen Hayeswho played the role in the original stage production, Lowry opined that Harris "never was convincing as the great imperious queen".[2]
Fred Danzig of the UPI wrote: "Beautiful, beautiful acting. Sensible and sensitive direction by George Schaefer. And my compliments to Miss Harris's makeup man – 60 years from start to finish – was accomplished with impressive skill." Danzig also praised writer Robert Hartung for improving upon the original play.[8]
In January 1962, Percy Shain ofThe Boston GlobeselectedVictoria Reginaas television's best drama of 1961, noting that it was a "fairly easy" pick.[9]
Emmy Awards
editThe production was nominated for sevenPrimetime Emmy Awards,[10]winning three:Program of the Year,Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (for Harris), and Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actress (for Brown).[11]Additional nominations included Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role forJames Donaldand Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor forBarry Jones.[10]
References
edit- ^ab"Hallmark Hall of Fame: Victoria Regina".The Paley Center for Media.RetrievedSeptember 17,2020.
- ^abCynthia Lowry (December 1, 1961)."Helen Hayes' Shadow: 'Virginia Regina' Good on TV, But Not Equal to Original".Evening Banner.p. 3 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Helen Hayes, Flower of the Stage, Dies at 92".The New York Times.March 18, 1993. p. 1.
- ^"Change of Face".The Atlanta Constitution.November 27, 1961 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Julie Harris Gives Usual Splendid Performance in 'Victoria Regina".The Philadelphia Inquirer.December 1, 1961. p. 26 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^Jack Gould (December 1, 1961)."TV: Julie Harris Is Starred In Victoria Regina; Drama by Houseman Adapted to Video".The New York Times.p. 67.
- ^Cecil Smith (December 1, 1961)."The TV Scene --- More Than One Did It Well".Los Angeles Times.p. II-14 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^Fred Danzig (December 1, 1961)."'Victoria Regina' Finely Acted ".Daily World.p. 13 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^Percy Shain (January 14, 1962)."Majority of TV Shows Rated Not Worth Watching in 1961".The Boston Globe.p. 48 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"'Victoria Regina' Emmy Favorite ".Fort Worth Star-Telegram.May 2, 1962. p. III-9 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^John P. Shanley (May 23, 1962)."Julie Harris, as Victoria, Wins TV Emmy".The New York Times.p. 91.