Playwright Joseph Kramm was married to Isabel Bonner — some critics allege that she was the inspiration for the shrike — who made her film debut here. It turned out to be her only movie, although she did make four earlier appearances on TV. She died before the movie's release. First credited movie role for Edward Platt, who went on to become a well-known character actor in film and television. And the last of two films for Joe Comadore. First was the 1954 Tanganyika. He also made one appearance on TV in 1955. And last piece of information, but not least, this was the movie directorial debut of José Ferrer.
Yet, despite its credentials, "The Shrike" is a movie that seems to have disappeared. Despite its availability, it has rarely been played on television. Not even when it met TV's only criteria of eligibility — the fact that it was relatively new. (Never mind that Ferrer's close-up followed by more close-ups directorial style is ideally suited to TV).
For movie fans, the fact that the play won the Pulitzer Prize (and that it was translated to the screen with its original producer/director and most of its original Broadway cast) would seem reason enough to anticipate many TV airings. What do we get? Virtually none! Compare the constant broadcasts of other Pulitzer winners such as Harvey (1945), State of the Union (1946), A Streetcar Named Desire (1948), Death of a Salesman (1949), South Pacific (1950), Picnic (1953), Teahouse of the August Moon (1954), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955). (No plays were considered worthy enough to receive the Prize in 1944, 1947 and 1951). And I rate June Allyson, brilliantly cast against type here, as giving by far the best performance of her career.
Yet, despite its credentials, "The Shrike" is a movie that seems to have disappeared. Despite its availability, it has rarely been played on television. Not even when it met TV's only criteria of eligibility — the fact that it was relatively new. (Never mind that Ferrer's close-up followed by more close-ups directorial style is ideally suited to TV).
For movie fans, the fact that the play won the Pulitzer Prize (and that it was translated to the screen with its original producer/director and most of its original Broadway cast) would seem reason enough to anticipate many TV airings. What do we get? Virtually none! Compare the constant broadcasts of other Pulitzer winners such as Harvey (1945), State of the Union (1946), A Streetcar Named Desire (1948), Death of a Salesman (1949), South Pacific (1950), Picnic (1953), Teahouse of the August Moon (1954), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955). (No plays were considered worthy enough to receive the Prize in 1944, 1947 and 1951). And I rate June Allyson, brilliantly cast against type here, as giving by far the best performance of her career.