Uncle Vanya

UNCLE VANYA: Chekhov’s classic drama of a country doctor’s unrequited love came to the New York stage in 1956, and then the play was filmed for a theatrical release. With a powerful performance by star Franchot Tone (who also co-directed), superb support by Mary Perry, Peggy McCay and George Voskovec in the title role, and music by multi-Oscar nominee Werner Janssen, this amazing artifact veritably puts you in a 1956 legit theater seat watching “probably the best work Tone has ever done” (Variety). 1957|98 min|B&W|1.85:1|NR

THE REBEL SON (The Barbarian and the Lady): A 16th Century Cossack, Taras Boulba (Harry Bauer) seeks to regain control of his Ukraine homeland by sending his son to secretly study under the occupying Poles.  Complications ensue when the young man falls in love with a Polish girl.  This British version of the 1936 French film, “Tarrass Boulba,” utilizes much of the non-dialogue footage from the earlier production.  Based on the story by Nikolai Gogol.  1938|75 min|B&W|1.33:1|NR

SPECIAL FEATURES: 1959 Theatre Guild Radio Performance, Featuring, co-adapted and directed by Robert Culp with Hyram Peckins, Jo Hamilton, Sherry Selfors, Elayne Carroll, Lawrence Chelsi (recorded March 15, 1959);  Trailers