Lee Phillip Show: Nutcracker excerpts [December 25, 1966]
Identifier
F.2011-05-0003
Date Of Production
1966
Abstract
The Lee Phillip Show was a local talk show that aired on CBS's WBBM-TV in Chicago. It ran from 1952-1986 and, beginning in the 1960s, was also shown in other cities by CBS affiliates.
This film represents excerpts from a 28-minute ballet segment (presumably scenes from "The Nutcracker") staged specifically for The Lee Phillip Show. This Christmas special was recorded on December 20, 1966 (in color) for airing on Christmas day; the orginal film's container notes suggest that it also aired on January 5, 1967.
This film represents excerpts from a 28-minute ballet segment (presumably scenes from "The Nutcracker") staged specifically for The Lee Phillip Show. This Christmas special was recorded on December 20, 1966 (in color) for airing on Christmas day; the orginal film's container notes suggest that it also aired on January 5, 1967.
Description
The film opens with a shot of the clapperboard for "Take A" of the Christmas ballet episode of The Lee Phillip Show by WBBM Chicago. It is followed by a blank screen with background beeps before cutting to two dancers costumed for the "Arabian" dance from The Nutcracker, posed and awaiting their music cue. Eventually, they begin the pas de deux, clearly modified for the television studio (with neither sets nor their "attendants"). Toward the end of their dance, two Arabian coffee pots appear and the two mime pouring coffee for themselves before ending their dance in a bowed pose. As at the beginning, they hold this pose for awhile before breaking character.
The film then cuts to a "Take B" clapperboard, labeled specifically for the "Doll Dance" (i.e. the dance by the life-size mechanical Christmas dolls that Dr. Drosselmeyer brings to the Stahlbaum party). This is again followed by a blank screen and beeps before cutting to a MCU of the female doll, who poses in wait for the music. Once it begins, the camera cuts from her to the male doll and then pulls back for a view of them both on a candy cane floorpiece. The two dance their stiff pas de deux without traveling much; when they complete it, they march off-camera arm in arm.
Next, the film cuts to a shot of an angel ornament nestled amongst tinsel, as if on a Christmas tree, before blurring back to the 'stage' area, where the second group of dolls (a soldier and a cantinier) stands. These two then dance their own stiff pas de deux, also staying within the bounds of the candy cane floorpiece. They complete the dance by 'falling' into final poses on the ground. The film ends there.
The film then cuts to a "Take B" clapperboard, labeled specifically for the "Doll Dance" (i.e. the dance by the life-size mechanical Christmas dolls that Dr. Drosselmeyer brings to the Stahlbaum party). This is again followed by a blank screen and beeps before cutting to a MCU of the female doll, who poses in wait for the music. Once it begins, the camera cuts from her to the male doll and then pulls back for a view of them both on a candy cane floorpiece. The two dance their stiff pas de deux without traveling much; when they complete it, they march off-camera arm in arm.
Next, the film cuts to a shot of an angel ornament nestled amongst tinsel, as if on a Christmas tree, before blurring back to the 'stage' area, where the second group of dolls (a soldier and a cantinier) stands. These two then dance their own stiff pas de deux, also staying within the bounds of the candy cane floorpiece. They complete the dance by 'falling' into final poses on the ground. The film ends there.
Run Time
7 min 50 sec
Format
16mm
Extent
275 feet
Color
B&W
Sound
Optical
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Print
Genre
Form
Subject
Related Collections
Related Places
Main Credits
Erskine, Chris (is director)
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