Victoria Regina (Hallmark Hall of Fame)

Victoria Regina was an American television drama that was broadcast on NBC on November 30, 1961, as part of the television series, Hallmark Hall of Fame. The production, covering 60 years in the life of Queen Victoria, was nominated for seven Emmy Awards. It won Emmys for "program of the year" and for the lead performance of Julie Harris as Queen Victoria and the supporting performance of Pamela Brown as the queen's mother.

"Victoria Regina"
Hallmark Hall of Fame episode
Julie Harris and James Donald in Victoria Regina
Episode no.Season 11
Episode 2
Directed byGeorge Schaefer
Written byRobert Hartung, adapted from Laurence Housman
Original air dateNovember 30, 1961 (1961-11-30)
Running time1:29

Plot

The production depicts the life of Great Britain's Queen Victoria through vignettes starting with her accession to the throne at age 18, covering her romance with Prince Albert, and ending with her time as an elderly widow at age 78.

Cast

The actors noted in the opening credits were:[1]

Production

The 1961 television production was based on the Laurence Housman play Victoria Regina, that ran on Broadway in the 1930s with Helen Hayes in the title role.[2][3] Robert Hartung adapted Housman's play for television. George Schaefer was the producer and director.[1]

One of the production's challenges was to have Julie Harris believably age by 60 years from age 18 to age 78. NBC makeup artist Bob O'Bradovich used a combination of makeup and various devices, including a rubber mask and false nose to achieve the effect.[4] One reviewer noted that the devices were a debit to the production, as Harris seemed "barely animated" behind the layers of latex.[5]

The production aired on NBC on November 30, 1961, as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame series.[5]

Reception

Reviews

In The New York Times, Jack Gould described Harris' performance as impeccable, magnificent, inspired, touching, and "a work of flowing ecstasy and poignancy." Gould also credited Robert O'Bradovich with a triumph for his makeup work.[6]

In the Los Angeles Times, Cecil Smith called it "a rich and delicately woven tapestry that gave television its most rewarding 90 minutes of the season." For special honors, he called out Harris ("a superb performance"), Warren Clymer (scenery), and Noel Taylor (costumes).[7]

Cynthia Lowry of the Associated Press wrote that it was "beautifully produced" and "meticulously performed". However, partly due to the shadow cast by Helen Hayes who played the role in the original stage production, Lowry opined that Harris "never was convincing as the great imperious queen".[2]

Fred Danzig of the UPI wrote: "Beautiful, beautiful acting. Sensible and sensitive direction by George Schaefer. And my compliments to Miss Harris's makeup man – 60 years from start to finish – was accomplished with impressive skill." Danzig also praised writer Robert Hartung for improving upon the original play.[8]

In January 1962, Percy Shain of The Boston Globe selected Victoria Regina as television's best drama of 1961, noting that it was a "fairly easy" pick.[9]

Emmy Awards

The production was nominated for seven Emmy Awards.[10] It won three: "program of the year"; Julie Harris as best actress for her performance as Victoria; and Pamela Brown as best actress in a supporting role for her performance as the queen's mother.[11] Additional nominations included James Donald as best actor for his role as Prince Albert and Barry Jones as best actor in a supporting role for his role as the Dean.[10]

References
  1. "Hallmark Hall of Fame: Victoria Regina". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  2. Cynthia Lowry (December 1, 1961). "Helen Hayes' Shadow: 'Virginia Regina' Good on TV, But Not Equal to Original". Evening Banner (AP story). p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Helen Hayes, Flower of the Stage, Dies at 92". The New York Times. March 18, 1993. p. 1.
  4. "Change of Face". The Atlanta Constitution. November 27, 1961 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Julie Harris Gives Usual Splendid Performance in 'Victoria Regina". The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 1, 1961. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Jack Gould (December 1, 1961). "TV: Julie Harris Is Starred In Victoria Regina; Drama by Houseman Adapted to Video". The New York Times. p. 67.
  7. Cecil Smith (December 1, 1961). "The TV Scene --- More Than One Did It Well". Los Angeles Times. p. II-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Fred Danzig (UPI story) (December 1, 1961). "'Victoria Regina' Finely Acted". Daily World. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Percy Shain (January 14, 1962). "Majority of TV Shows Rated Not Worth Watching in 1961". The Boston Globe. p. 48 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "'Victoria Regina' Emmy Favorite". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. May 2, 1962. p. III-9 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. John P. Shanley (May 23, 1962). "Julie Harris, as Victoria, Wins TV Emmy". The New York Times. p. 91.
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