Internet Shakespeare Editions

Shakespeare in Performance: Film

The Merry Wives of Windsor (1952, Julian Amyes)

TitleThe Merry Wives of Windsor
Year1952
Release LocationsGB
DirectorJulian Amyes
MediumVideo
Length1 hrs, 50 mins
Play ConnectionsThe Merry Wives of Windsor (teleplay)

Description

This carefully planned production eventually cost well over £2,000. Sets, props and costumes were all carefully assembled, everything from "casement windows in Dr. Caius' house" that needed to open inwardly, to tankards for ale and six wine goblets. A host of technical details had to be managed, to include the assembling of 3 booms, 2 microphones, and 2 crane dollies. Panic set in at the last minute when the set builder almost failed to meet his deadline. A peek at the backstage activity for this production suggests the huge expenditure of raw energy that went into a "live" studio production in the early days of tv (KSR—WAC T5/330 16 Nov. 1952)

Description from Shakespeare on Screen : an International Filmography and Videography by Kenneth S. Rothwell and Annabelle Henkin Melzer. ©1990 Kenneth S. Rothwell. Cited by permission. — Added 2008-11-14

Cast Overview

FalstaffRobert Atkins
FentonPeter Rendall
Justice ShallowErik Chitty
SlenderRobert Beaumont
Mr. PageRupert Davies
Sir Hugh EvansHugh Pryse
Dr. CaiusMilo Sperber
Host Of Garter InnMeadows White
BardolphPeter Bennett
PistolClement Hamelin
NymAlfie Bass
RobinThomas Moore
SimpleSydney Bromley
RugbyCharles Mander
Mistress FordBetty Huntley-Wright
Mistress PageMary Kerridge
Ann PageElizabeth Regan
Mistress QuicklyHelene Burle
ServantsWilliam Glover
CastPeter Franklyn

Production Team and Crew Overview

DirectorJulian Amyes
ProducerIan Atkins
ComposerMax Saunders
ProductionJames Bould

Production information courtesy of: Kenneth Rothwell