Secret Service (Broadway Theatre Archive)
by Peter Levin
List Price:
Our Price: $12.54
You Save: $12.45 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.49 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alice Drummond, David Harris, Frederick Coffin, Joe Grifasi, Lenny BakerDirector: Peter Levin
Brand: Kultur
Producer: Ken Campbell
Writer: William Gillette
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 117 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-06-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Kultur Video
Movie Reviews of Secret Service (Broadway Theatre Archive)
Movie Review: PBS revival of a 19th Century Civil War stage drama
Summary: 4 Stars
Records are incomplete on SECRET SERVICE. It opened at the Garrick Theater on Oct. 5th, 1896 and ran for about 150 performances, closing sometime around March, '97. (In those days, a show that played for this many audiences was considered a major success!)
It's creator, William Gillette also starred in this, his first Broadway triumph. Three years later came the actor/dramatist's most famous role, as Sherlock Holmes. The great wealth Gillette accumulated from stage successes made it possible to purchase a British castle, have it shipped to his rural Connecticut property and then rebuilt there brick-by-brick. For decades, Gillette Castle has been a popular Nutmeg State tourist attraction.
The PBS TV broadcast reproduced on this BROADWAY THEATER ARCHIVES video was the first revival of "Secret Service" since 1915. Sound quality is good. The image has with time lost some color saturation but is still most acceptable.
SYNOPSIS--
Lithgow is a Northern spy in 1864 Richmond whose brother is being held at Libby Prison. With the unknowing help of ladyfriend Streep, 'Capt. Thorne' gains access to the War Room telegraph office and plans to send a false dispatch that will weaken Confederate lines. Historically inaccurate, as there were no Union troops within 6 miles of the city in 1864, but a fine play nonetheless that's enriched by its talented cast's performance of vintage songs between acts. Miss Streep has a beautiful singing voice.
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 10 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.
(6.6) Secret Service (TV-1977) - Meryl Streep/John Lithgow/Alice Drummond/Mary Beth Hurt/Jeffrey Jones/Joe Grifasi
Summary of Secret Service (Broadway Theatre Archive)
SECRET SERVICE - DVD MovieMeryl Streep and John Lithgow star in this Broadway revival of an 1895 thriller. The action is set in Richmond in 1864 as the South is making one final stand in the Civil War. Demure but headstrong belle Edith (Streep) is determined to keep her dashing beau, Captain Thorne (Lithgow), at home and away from the front lines. She manages to win him a commission running the Confederacy?s telegraph office just as word gets out that there?s a Yankee traitor trying to infiltrate that very post. The man running the investigation is--oh, no!--Edith?s bitter rejected suitor. Fun as that would be as a standard melodrama, Secret Service actually has a few twists in store that turn it into quite a good potboiler. Mary Beth Hurt adds humor and charm in a terrific performance as the flighty young Caroline, and sharp-eyed film fans will notice a young Jeffrey Jones playing a soldier. --Ali Davis
Similar DVD Movies
PlentyLions Gate; Release date: 2010-03-02; DVD
Best price: $4.49
Price in other shops:
One True ThingUniversal Studios; Release date: 1999-03-16; DVD
Best price: $7.71
Price in other shops:
SilkwoodRelease date: 2003-10-07; DVD
Best price: $7.78
Price in other shops:
HolocaustHOLM,IAN; Release date: 2008-05-27; DVD
Best price: $19.48
Price in other shops:
Biography: Meryl StreepA&E; Release date: 2010-09-28; DVD
Best price: $13.65
Price in other shops:
Uncommon Women and Others (Broadway Theatre Archive)Kultur; Release date: 2002-05-14; DVD
Best price: $13.99
Price in other shops:
Still Of The Night (MGM Limited Edition Collection)Allied; Release date: 2011-01-28; DVD
Best price: $16.98
Price in other shops:
The Seduction of Joe Tynan (Universal Vault Series)Release date: 2011-07-27; DVD
Best price: $17.99
Price in other shops:
Alice at the Palace (Broadway Theatre Archive)Kultur; Release date: 2002-06-25; Published: 2002-06-01; DVD
Best price: $13.45
Price in other shops:
Theater of WarKino International; Release date: 2010-10-19; DVD
Best price: $15.89
Price in other shops: