The Glass Menagerie (1973 film)
Encyclopedia
The Glass Menagerie is a 1973 American television movie
based on the 1944 play of the same name
by Tennessee Williams
. It is directed by Anthony Harvey
and stars Katharine Hepburn
, Sam Waterston
, Joanna Miles
and Michael Moriarty
. It marked the third screen adaptation of the play.
The Glass Menagerie was Katharine Hepburn's first appearance on television. She had initially been wary of the medium, but was convinced by the opportunity to work with friend Anthony Harvey, with whom she had made the successful film The Lion in Winter
. Hepburn was also drawn to the project when she was told her niece Katharine Houghton
could co-star as Laura, but Houghton eventually turned down the role.
The Glass Menagerie was one of the major television events of 1973, commanding high ratings. It received four Primetime Emmy Awards.
:
At the 1974 Directors Guild of America Awards
:
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
based on the 1944 play of the same name
The Glass Menagerie
The Glass Menagerie is a four-character memory play by Tennessee Williams. Williams worked on various drafts of the play prior to writing a version of it as a screenplay for MGM, to whom Williams was contracted...
by Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams
Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams III was an American writer who worked principally as a playwright in the American theater. He also wrote short stories, novels, poetry, essays, screenplays and a volume of memoirs...
. It is directed by Anthony Harvey
Anthony Harvey
Anthony Harvey is a British filmmaker who started his career in the 1950s as a film editor, and moved into directing in the mid 1960s. Harvey has fifteen film credits as an editor, and he has directed thirteen films...
and stars Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
, Sam Waterston
Sam Waterston
Samuel Atkinson "Sam" Waterston is an American actor and occasional producer and director. Among other roles, he is noted for his Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Sydney Schanberg in 1984's The Killing Fields, and his Golden Globe- and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning portrayal of Jack McCoy...
, Joanna Miles
Joanna Miles
Joanna Miles is an American actress.Miles was born in Nice, France, the daughter of Jeanne Miles, an American painter, and Johannes Schiefer, a French painter art curator. She immigrated to the United States, and was naturalized a citizen, in 1941...
and Michael Moriarty
Michael Moriarty
Michael Moriarty is an American-Canadian actor of stage and screen, and a jazz musician. He played Benjamin Stone for four seasons on the TV series Law & Order.-Early life:...
. It marked the third screen adaptation of the play.
The Glass Menagerie was Katharine Hepburn's first appearance on television. She had initially been wary of the medium, but was convinced by the opportunity to work with friend Anthony Harvey, with whom she had made the successful film The Lion in Winter
The Lion in Winter (1968 film)
The Lion in Winter is a 1968 historical drama made by Avco Embassy Pictures, based on the Broadway play by James Goldman. It was directed by Anthony Harvey and produced by Joseph E...
. Hepburn was also drawn to the project when she was told her niece Katharine Houghton
Katharine Houghton
Katharine Houghton is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Joanna "Joey" Drayton, a Caucasian woman who brings home an African-American fiancé to meet her parents, in the 1967 film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner...
could co-star as Laura, but Houghton eventually turned down the role.
The Glass Menagerie was one of the major television events of 1973, commanding high ratings. It received four Primetime Emmy Awards.
Cast
- Katharine HepburnKatharine HepburnKatharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
as Amanda Wingfield, the ex-Southern belle who has been abandoned by her husband and longs for the kind of Old South gentility and comforts which she remembers from her youth for her children. - Sam WaterstonSam WaterstonSamuel Atkinson "Sam" Waterston is an American actor and occasional producer and director. Among other roles, he is noted for his Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Sydney Schanberg in 1984's The Killing Fields, and his Golden Globe- and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning portrayal of Jack McCoy...
as Tom Wingfield, Amanda's son who works in a warehouse but aspires to be a writer. He feels both obligated toward yet burdened by his family. - Joanna MilesJoanna MilesJoanna Miles is an American actress.Miles was born in Nice, France, the daughter of Jeanne Miles, an American painter, and Johannes Schiefer, a French painter art curator. She immigrated to the United States, and was naturalized a citizen, in 1941...
as Laura Wingfield, Amanda's shy and extra-sensitive daughter. - Michael MoriartyMichael MoriartyMichael Moriarty is an American-Canadian actor of stage and screen, and a jazz musician. He played Benjamin Stone for four seasons on the TV series Law & Order.-Early life:...
as Jim O'Connor, a workmate of Tom's who is invited to the Wingfields' house for dinner with the intent of being Laura's first gentleman caller.
Wins and nominations
At the 26th Primetime Emmy Awards26th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 26th Emmy Awards, later known as the 26th Primetime Emmy Awards, were handed out in May 1974. The ceremony was hosted by Johnny Carson...
:
- Win for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama - Michael Moriarty
- Win for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama - Joanna Miles
- Win for Supporting Actor of the Year - Michael Moriarty
- Win for Supporting Actress of the Year - Joanna Miles
- Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama - Katharine Hepburn
- Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama - Sam Waterston
At the 1974 Directors Guild of America Awards
Directors Guild of America Awards
The Directors Guild of America Awards are issued annually by the Directors Guild of America. The first DGA Award was an "Honorary Life Member" award issued in 1938 to D.W. Griffith....
:
- Nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television - Anthony Harvey