The Elephant Man (TV film)
Encyclopedia
The Elephant Man is a 1982 American biographical television film directed by Jack Hofsiss
about the 19th century English medical curiosity Joseph Merrick
(known in this film as John Merrick). The script was adapted by Steve Lawson from the 1977 play of the same name
by Bernard Pomerance
. It was first broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company
(ABC) on January 4, 1982.
Playwright Pomerance's Broadway debut of The Elephant Man in 1977 was directed by Hofsiss, who became the youngest ever winner of a Tony Award
for directing the play. In the film, Philip Anglim
and Kevin Conway reprised their roles from the play as John Merrick and Frederick Treves
respectively.
The film received four Emmy Award
nominations; Penny Fuller
won the award for 'Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special'. At the 40th Golden Globe Awards
, Philip Anglim was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film. Jack Hofsiss was nominated for a Directors Guild of America Award for 'Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials'.
Jack Hofsiss
Jack Hofsiss is an American theatre, film and television director. He received a Tony Award for his direction of The Elephant Man on Broadway, the youngest director to have ever received it at the time...
about the 19th century English medical curiosity Joseph Merrick
Joseph Merrick
Joseph Carey Merrick , sometimes incorrectly referred to as John Merrick, was an English man with severe deformities who was exhibited as a human curiosity named the Elephant Man. He became well known in London society after he went to live at the London Hospital...
(known in this film as John Merrick). The script was adapted by Steve Lawson from the 1977 play of the same name
The Elephant Man (play)
The Elephant Man is a 1977 play by Bernard Pomerance. The production's Broadway debut in 1979 was produced by Richmond Crinkley and Nelle Nugent, and directed by Jack Hofsiss...
by Bernard Pomerance
Bernard Pomerance
Bernard Pomerance is an American playwright and poet whose best known work is the play The Elephant Man. Pomerance was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1940. He studied at the University of Chicago and moved to London in 1968....
. It was first broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
(ABC) on January 4, 1982.
Playwright Pomerance's Broadway debut of The Elephant Man in 1977 was directed by Hofsiss, who became the youngest ever winner of a Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for directing the play. In the film, Philip Anglim
Philip Anglim
Philip Charles Anglim is an American actor best known for his performance as Joseph Merrick in the stage and television versions of The Elephant Man, a role for which he received a Best Actor nomination in the 1979 Tony Awards...
and Kevin Conway reprised their roles from the play as John Merrick and Frederick Treves
Sir Frederick Treves, 1st Baronet
Sir Frederick Treves, 1st Baronet, GCVO, CH, CB was a prominent British surgeon of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, now most famous for his friendship with Joseph Merrick, "the Elephant Man".-Eminent surgeon:...
respectively.
The film received four Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nominations; Penny Fuller
Penny Fuller
Penny Fuller is an American actress.Born in Durham, North Carolina, Fuller attended Northwestern University in Illinois. She then went to New York City to make a name for herself on Broadway...
won the award for 'Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special'. At the 40th Golden Globe Awards
40th Golden Globe Awards
The 40th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television for 1982, were given on 29 January 1983.-Best Actor - Drama: Ben Kingsley - Gandhi*Albert Finney - Shoot the Moon*Richard Gere - An Officer and a Gentleman...
, Philip Anglim was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film. Jack Hofsiss was nominated for a Directors Guild of America Award for 'Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials'.
Cast
- Philip AnglimPhilip AnglimPhilip Charles Anglim is an American actor best known for his performance as Joseph Merrick in the stage and television versions of The Elephant Man, a role for which he received a Best Actor nomination in the 1979 Tony Awards...
as John MerrickJoseph MerrickJoseph Carey Merrick , sometimes incorrectly referred to as John Merrick, was an English man with severe deformities who was exhibited as a human curiosity named the Elephant Man. He became well known in London society after he went to live at the London Hospital... - Kevin Conway as Frederick TrevesSir Frederick Treves, 1st BaronetSir Frederick Treves, 1st Baronet, GCVO, CH, CB was a prominent British surgeon of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, now most famous for his friendship with Joseph Merrick, "the Elephant Man".-Eminent surgeon:...
- Penny FullerPenny FullerPenny Fuller is an American actress.Born in Durham, North Carolina, Fuller attended Northwestern University in Illinois. She then went to New York City to make a name for herself on Broadway...
as Mrs. KendalMadge KendalDame Madge Kendal GBE , born as Margaret Shafto Robertson, was an English actress of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, best known for her roles in Shakespeare and English comedies. Together with her husband, W. H... - Richard Clarke as Carr Gomm
- Glenn CloseGlenn CloseGlenn Close is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and...
as Princess AlexandraAlexandra of DenmarkAlexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...