Jane Eyre 1949 Mary Sinclair and Charleton Heston
Remember when I said that I wasn't technologically savvy enough to make my own video clips, and how much I would have liked to share some of the material in my archive? Well, by sheer coincidence someone has shown me how to make my own clips. Here is the first of such clips from my video archive. This is the proposal scene from the 1949 Jane Eyre starring Mary Sinclair and Charleton Heston. The production was made for Westinghouse Summer Theatre (the commercial breaks are just as entertaining as the feature. Who knew that self-cleaning ovens could be so exciting?).
The recording is blurred and grainy throughout and not the fault of my editing skills or lack thereof. If the clip is not available yet wait a few minutes. I only just uploaded it and it should take a few minutes to be processed properly.
8 comments:
Wow....that was, uh, something. I really laughed quite a bit. From his delivery of many of his lines with his back to her to his almost violent outburst and when he grabbed that poker, I worried for her safety. The delivery of the "string tied under his heart" was hmmmm, quite tender. "Have you ever thought to inquire why I've stayed here all these months??"...what is he implying??? Also, his not expecting that kind of passion in her..kind of misses the essence of the book. How romantic -- having her kneel before him during the proposal. Magic moments...
Thanks for sharing. I was going to offer my technical assistance if I could help get it posted. I had to see Charlton Heston playing Rochester..."Hey Jane, have I showed you my gun collection??"
How did you acquire this nugget?
I am entertained and horrified at the same time. When Heston first walks up the the camera, he looks like an American Dracula. Only John Wayne could have played Rochester with more *ahem* American machismo.
Oh, and Bronteana, I *am* in Bleak House, and it was aptly named. I thought it might be a neat coincidence if you had taken an office there, too. But you made the right decision!
OK,I've watched it again. Funny how with each watching I notice more and more details and now I understand -- he's reading cue cards when his back is to her! After wrestling with the fireplace pokers, the chair gets more action than Jane.
to chrisv:
He was not nearly as terrible as I expected! There are worse scenes in this version. But overall it is pretty inoffensive. How they film Rochester is pretty funny, though. Our first sight of him is over his knee if I remember correctly (more of the let's-sex-it-up approach), as he twirls his cane in his hand (which is in the extreme foreground and thus larger than Jane herself). Mrs. Fairfax has just told us how peculiar he is, so you have this hovering fear that he has some sort of deformity- like his head is shrunked or something of the kind.
My friend Thisbeciel found it SOMEWHERE and sent it to me. She plays a major role in sustaining my addiction- I mean, supporting my research. I have more adaptations than the Bronte Society thanks to her!
to sarah o:
Next to the truly well made adaptations, my favourites are the one that are entertaining and horrid. This one isn't as bad as, say, the ones I just posted.
One of my professors also warned me about how the English and History students pass plague around that place. Definately won't be going there now! I've been sick twice since I've come to Halifax already!
to chrisv:
That is not entirely impossible. This was actually a live theatre production broadcast on tv. During intermission they show commercials for self-cleaning ovens, or 'electronic clarifyers' the wave of the future!
I love those old ads. I'm still looking for a videotape containing the dancing cigarette packs.
I lerve how he walks down stage and the top of his head gets whacked off by the camera angle. U-yick, the 1983 version any day over this one.
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