Search - The Royal Family (Broadway Theatre Archive) on DVD

Great classic comedy -- GREAT cast

Writerdana | Northeast USA | 01/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one is a treasure. I saw it first many years ago on Great Performances on PBS. The cast is amazing, and the direction is superb. The talents of Rosemary Harris and Keene Curtis and all the rest are unparalleled. There are too few chances to enjoy these mostly stage actors. But most satisfying is the rare opportunity to watch the magnificent Eva LaGallienne in action. She was one of the all time greatest performers on the American stage. She started in the '20s as an ingenue -- playing on her youth and good looks while learning her craft to perfection. Later she became a producer, built theaters, and took on other roles traditionally closed to women of the time. Here she was already in her mid-70s, but her talent is unmistakeable. She remained active until her death at 93. (Look her up on the Internet if you don't believe me.)

Few televised plays have ever been this successful. It is classic comedy in its truest sense. I'm excited that this marvelous comedy has made it to DVD. Get it and enjoy."

Le Gallienne treasure

Donna DeNunzio | Las Vegas, Nevada United States | 12/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a must video to see.
The play is good, but the main reason for everyone to see it is because it is one of the very few chances you can see the Great Eva Le Gallienne at work, since she only did a few moments available to view as 99.9% of her work was the stage.
If anyone is interested in seeing the work of the greatest actress that has ever lived, watch Eva Le Gallienne."

DE-LIGHTFUL

Guy De Federicis | east of here | 02/25/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This staged production of the 1927 George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber hit play, about a theatrical clan towering over Broadway from their Manhatten penthouse, is still a comedic gem, with knock-out performances from Rosemary Harris, as Broadway's leading lady who regards every doorway as a grand entrance, Ellis Rabb, who also co-directed, as her John Barrymore-ish brother, a tempermental actor who remains just this side of frantic measures, and Keene Curtis, a leading man past his prime, grasping at roles with shoe polish adorning his graying hair. The biting 1920's theatrical sarcasm is still very funny, and serves as historical document of what was relevant at a time when emerging radio, silent movies, and sensational staged productions were Broadways's only competition. The foreign collection of exotic people and animals accompanying brother Tony, (Rabb), on his return trip from Europe, gives the production an authentic 1920's global glitz. I would have preferred to see this play filmed before a live audience, which would have comforted the sometimes hollowness of a filmed staged play, but "The Royal Family", is a real treat for lovers of theatre, and historical Broadway."