I'm not particularly thrilled with Uncle Vanya the play itself from Chekhov, I think The Cherry Orchard is a far better, clearer, and more concise work, still this production must have been a real labor of love for its star Franchot Tone. Tone takes the supporting role here of Dr. Astrov who takes care of the title character played by George Voskovec. Voskovec is probably best remembered for being one of the 12 Angry Men.
During his time with MGM and subsequent studios Tone tried desperately to vary his casting. Louis B. Mayer refused to see him as anything else but a dashing man about town in full formal wear or just a dinner jacket.
Tone in New York City was a member of the Group players and ached to do serious dramatic work like Uncle Vanya on the scree . He left Hollywood in 1951 after Frank Capra's Here Comes The Groom to pursue the roles he wanted on stage and the small screen. He would not be on the big screen until Advise And Consent.
As for the play itself it's the story about a bunch of rather jaded aristocrats who are unhappy because they made bad choices romantically. The estate they live and/or hang out at is about to be sold. Their problems seem pretty trivial as compared to be burgeoning peasant revolution.
This version of Uncle Vanya is a great example of TV drama and Franchot Tone was finally doing things he wanted to do. But it's not the best of Chekhov's work.
During his time with MGM and subsequent studios Tone tried desperately to vary his casting. Louis B. Mayer refused to see him as anything else but a dashing man about town in full formal wear or just a dinner jacket.
Tone in New York City was a member of the Group players and ached to do serious dramatic work like Uncle Vanya on the scree . He left Hollywood in 1951 after Frank Capra's Here Comes The Groom to pursue the roles he wanted on stage and the small screen. He would not be on the big screen until Advise And Consent.
As for the play itself it's the story about a bunch of rather jaded aristocrats who are unhappy because they made bad choices romantically. The estate they live and/or hang out at is about to be sold. Their problems seem pretty trivial as compared to be burgeoning peasant revolution.
This version of Uncle Vanya is a great example of TV drama and Franchot Tone was finally doing things he wanted to do. But it's not the best of Chekhov's work.