Thu 4/3 @ 7PM
Camelot — a musical by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, based on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable, as told in T.H. White’s 1958 novel The Once and Future King — debuted on Broadway in 1960 and was a huge hit, starring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet, as the three points on its central love triangle. Its reputation was enhanced when Jackie Kennedy used it as a metaphor for her husband’s presidency; it similarly ends tragically. But it includes such wonderful songs as “Follow Me,” “If Ever I would Leave You,” “I Loved You Once in Silence,” “The Lusty Month of May” and the title tune.
Of course it was made into a film, directed by Joshua Logan, released in 1967. This time the three leads were Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero. The film will be the topic of the next Movies at Home discussion, hosted by The Musical Theater Project’s Bill Rudman who says, “This movie has its detractors, but I’m not one of them. And I’m asking you to take a new look — because going beyond the Arthur-Guenevere-Lancelot love triangle, this is a story about the importance of democracy. That theme could hardly be more relevant in today’s America.”
Here’s what you do: first watch Rudman’s video on TMTP’s YouTube channel as he tells you what to watch for when you view the film. Then watch it — it’s available to rent or purchase on YouTube. Finally join Bill and co-host Barbara Vitcosky on Zoom to talk about the film. It’s free and all are welcome.