Poster for the American Film Theatre release of Galileo (1974–75)
From 1973 to 1975, using approximately 500 movie theaters across the US, The American Film Theatre presented two seasons of film adaptations of well-known plays. Each film was shown only four times at each theatre. By design, these were not films of stage productions — they were plays "translated to the film medium, but with complete faithfulness to the original play script."[1] Filmgoers generally subscribed to an entire season of films, as they might if they purchased a season's tickets for a conventional stage theater. About 500,000 subscriptions were sold for the first season of eight plays using direct mail and newspaper advertising. Ely Landau was the producer for the series.[2][3][4]
Eight films were shown in the first season. Five were shown in the second season, after which the American Film Theatre project ended. Raymond Benson summarized, "The American Film Theatre could probably never be repeated, especially within the economic structure that exists in the motion picture industry today. It’s a shame, for even though the AFT was not a perfect product, it was a bold and fascinating experiment that attempted to blend the stage with cinema. It’s the kind of project that reminds us how recklessly courageous—and often artistically brilliant—filmmakers could be in the 1970s."[1]
The films were released on DVD in 2003 by Kino International and again in 2008 as a boxed set.[5] They were again re-released on Blu-Ray in 2018.
^ abBenson, Raymond (April 16, 2009). "Remember...The American Film Theatre". Cinema Retro. Archived from the original on 2013-06-01.
^"Wide World of Entertainment: The Dick Cavett Show (Katharine Hepburn Interview, Pt. 1) (TV)". October 2, 1973. Summary only; not accessible online.
^Barrett, Michael (July 17, 2008). "Canon Fodder: American Film Theatre". PopMatters. Review of The American Film Theatre Complete 14 Film Collection DVD set.
^Cite error: The named reference Sloane was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^The American Film Theatre : the complete 14 film collection (DVD (region 1)). Kino International Corporation. 2008. OCLC 245535401.
and 22 Related for: American Film Theatre information
US, The AmericanFilmTheatre presented two seasons of film adaptations of well-known plays. Each film was shown only four times at each theatre. By design...
American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is a classical ballet company based in New York City. Founded in 1939 by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant, it is recognized...
performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is ὑποκριτής...
This is a list of Americanfilms that are scheduled to release in 2024. The highest-grossing Americanfilms released in 2024, by domestic box office gross...
institutions pushing the legitimization of Americantheatre included the Theatre Guild, The Civic Repertory Theatre, and various "little theaters". Of the...
Portrayals of East Asians in Americanfilm and theatre has been a subject of controversy. These portrayals have frequently reflected an ethnocentric perception...
Stanley Tucci is an American actor known for his performances in film, television and theatre. Source: Playbill and Internet Broadway Database Kanter...
The AmericanFilm Institute (AFI) is an American nonprofit film organization that educates filmmakers and honors the heritage of the motion picture arts...
This is a list of Americanfilms released in 1974. The highest-grossing Americanfilms released in 1974, by domestic box office gross revenue as estimated...
Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the AmericanTheatre Wing...
This is a list of Americanfilms released in 1975. The highest-grossing Americanfilms released in 1975, by domestic box office gross revenue as estimated...
her debut with the Madison Repertory Theatre, Coon joined the American Players Theatre and stayed with them for four seasons. Coon moved to Chicago in...
American television, stage, and film actress. She is best known for her role as flirtatious temp Cathy Simms on the NBC series The Office. Her film credits...
(born 2 May 1970) is a British actress and singer. She is known for her theatre work and a number of on-screen roles, most prominently for her portrayal...
Peters (born Patricia Peterson; 1943 or 1944) is an American actress and dancer in theatre, film, and television. Lauri Peters was born Patricia Peterson...
in American English (Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition, 2009, CD-ROM: ISBN 9780199563838). Recent dictionaries of American English list theatre as...
American Sniper is a 2014 American biographical war drama film directed and co-produced by Clint Eastwood and written and executive-produced by Jason Hall...
(born July 1, 1983) is an Americanfilm, stage, and television actor. His accolades include three Evening Standard Theatre Awards, and the 2019 Laurence...
Theatre and originating the role of William Miller in the musical theatre adaptation, in 2019 in San Diego and then on Broadway in 2022, of the film Almost...
Adam Rapp (born June 15, 1968) is an American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, musician and film director. His play Red Light Winter was a Pulitzer...
This is a list of Americanfilms released in 1970. The highest-grossing Americanfilms released in 1970, by domestic box office gross revenue as estimated...
and Hart in America. These were followed by Edwardian musical comedies, which emerged in Britain, and the musical theatre works of American creators like...
Global Information