British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Tribute to John F. Kennedy from the Arts

Synopsis
Television programme assembled to honour President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in Dallas two days before. The programme features classical music and dramatic readings from the bible and Shakespeare. Host Fredric March recites the Gettysburg Address, Charlton Heston reads from the Psalms and Robert Frost, and Marian Anderson sings Negro spirituals. The lines from Shakespeare are from Hamlet’s and Horatio’s last speeches from Hamlet read by Albert Finney and Christopher Plummer; it is likely that Plummer reads Hamlet and Finney reads Horatio.
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Television
Transmission details
24 Nov 1963 at 20:00 (Channel: ABC)
Duration
110 mins
Availability
No archive copy found (4/2007).

Credits

Producer
Roone Arledge
Contributor
Albert Finney; Charlton Heston; Christopher Plummer; Frederic March; Marion Anderson

Additional Details

Production type
Documentary/Educational/News
Plays
Hamlet
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Kennedy, John Fitzgerald; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

General
President Kennedy’s name was mentioned only once in the broadcast.
Reviews
Variety Television Reviews (27 November 1963).

Production Company

Name

ABC

Record Stats

This record has been viewed 851 times.