Barefoot in the Park with Richard Thomas and Bess Armstrong

[MrMidwest]

on teh yewtewb

[dramamama611]

I remember watching this when it ran, on HBO I think. They did a number of plays directing for the camera. I remember Vanities also being filmed.

I loved both of them, but I was only in HS at the time.

Thank you for posting this!

{scurries off to watch}

[MrMidwest]

Bess would be brill as Hannah in Angels in America.

[SonofRobbieJ]

I loved this as a kid!!! It started a life-long love affair with Barbara Barrie!

[DooWahDiddy]

Wow, that's amazing. Thanks for posting! And James Cromwell as the telephone repair man; interesting!

[best12bars]

Love this! Haven't seen it since it aired, but I remember enjoying it quite a bit. I thought everybody in it was good.

[EricMontreal22]

I had no idea this even existed! As a Bess worshipper ever since My So-Called Life, I'll have to save this and watch later--can't wait. I think the earliest role I've seen her in was her matchless performance in Jaws 3D (or maybe The Four Seasons but that's not as memorable )

[MrMidwest]

[SonofRobbieJ]

So...thanks to our delightful Mr. Midwest, I watched the whole thing over the weekend. Alas, it was edited when shown on A&E, so you didn't get the full end of Act 2 (and other moments, I'm sure). But I was struck by how go-for-broke Armstrong and Thomas played the show. And Barbara Barrie's characterization was wonderfully funny and heartbreaking. The story really belongs to Corey (sp?) and Armstrong was marvelous in her relationship with Barrie. It was a rather touching exploration of a mother (who, one would guess, has retreated from life after becoming a widow) and her daughter encouraging her to embrace life again.

Though Thomas and Armstrong were very funny, they never winked during their big Act 2 blow-up. I bought it, completely. And it made the play work beautifully. Yes...it's a boulevard comedy of a type that is no longer created. And yes, perhaps Simon's sell-by date has passed. But watching actors commit completely to a taught script proves just how vital something like Barefoot in the Park can still feel.

[MrMidwest]

One of Bess' best scenes from My So Called Life:
Hope is born