Elizabeth the Queen (film) explained

Elizabeth the Queen is a 1968 TV movie presented on Hallmark Hall of Fame. It is an adaptation of the 1930 play Elizabeth the Queen by Maxwell Anderson. The film was directed by George Schaefer.

Cast

• Judith Anderson as Queen Elizabeth I
• Charlton Heston as Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex
• Michael Allinson as Sir Walter Raleigh
• Alan Caillou as Burbage
• Jody Carter as Lady In Waiting
• Peter Church as Hemmings
• Dana Elcar as Captain Marvel
• Lynn Harper as Ann Rousseau
• Harvey Jason as Herald
• Donald Marlatt as Irish Courier
• Anne Rogers as Penelope
• Gilchrist Stuart as Physician
• Harry Townes as Sir Robert Cecil

Production

In 1964 George Schaefer said he had decided not to do a production of this or another Maxwell Anderson play, Mary Queen of Scot, because they depended on pageantry, which was hard to do on television.^[1]

Schaefer changed his mind and Judith Anderson signed to star in a production in May 1967. It was her third production for the Hallmark Hall of Fame following Macbeth and The Cradle Song. She had performed in the play the year before in New York and received poor reviews but insisted the production was faulty rather than the play itself.^[2] Charlton Heston agreed to co star.^[3]

External links

• Elizabeth the Queen at IMDb
• Elizabeth the Queen at BFI

Notes and References

1. "Quality Is Schaefer's Middle Name", Chicago Tribune May 3, 1964: n13.
2. "Judith Anderson to Star in Hallmark TV Drama: 'Elizabeth the Queen' Play by Maxwell Anderson, to Open 1967-68 Series on N.B.C. 90-Minute 'Robin Hood' Horns Joins The Nation" by George Gent. New York Times May 5, 1967: 77.
3. "Dame Judith Sees No Glory in the Gutter" by Judy Stone. New York Times January 28, 1968: D27.