Jack and the Beanstalk (Producers' Showcase)
| "Jack and the Beanstalk" | |
|---|---|
| Producers' Showcase episode | |
 Joel Grey in "Jack and the Beanstalk" | |
| Original air date | November 12, 1956 |
"Jack and the Beanstalk" was an American television play broadcast on November 12, 1956, as part of the NBC television series, Producers' Showcase.
Plot[edit]
The production revived the fairy tale of a boy who trades the family's cow for a handful of magic beans. It included new characters and 11 original songs.[1]
Cast[edit]
The following performers received screen credit for their performances:[2]
- Joel Grey as Jack
- Celeste Holm as Mad Maggie
- Cyril Ritchard as The Peddler
- Peggy King as Tillie Hemmelpacker
- Arnold Stang as Mr. Fum
- Leora Dana as The Widow Tooper
- Billy Gilbert as Mr. Poopledoop
- Dennis King as Narrator
Production[edit]
Clark Jones was the director and Mort Abrahams was the executive producer. It was written by Helen Deutsch. The music was by Jerry Livingston with lyrics by Helen Deutsch.
Reception[edit]
In The New York Times, Jack Gould that the production had plenty of sets and stars but lacked "the spirit of make-believe" and "only achieved an intermittent glow." He also noted that Joel Grey was "much too old for the part."[3]
Bob Blackburn called it "sickeningly moral and harmless."[4]
References[edit]
- ^ Gene Inge (November 10, 1956). "Producer's Showcase Revives Fairy Tale". Daily News-Post – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kinescope of "Jack and the Beanstalk", aired November 12, 1956
- ^ Jack Gould (November 13, 1956). "'Jack and Beanstalk' Lacks Make Believe; It's a Capt. Video in the Vegetable Patch". The Atlanta Constitution (via The New York Times) – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bob Blackburn (November 13, 1956). "Make Magical Changes In Jack And Beanstalk". The Ottawa Citizen – via Newspapers.com.