Death of a Salesman

This 1966 production of Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning play is the jewel in the crown of Kultur's excellent Broadway Theatre Archive collection. This landmark television event preserves one of the great marriages of actor and role: Lee J. Cobb as Willy Loman (though Cobb originated the role on Broadway, he did not appear in the 1951 film version). Sure it's stage-like, but "attention must be paid" to Cobb's towering, heartbreaking performance as salesman Loman, whose life of increasing desperation spills over into volatile encounters with family, friends and colleagues. The powerhouse ensemble cast includes Mildred Dunnock, also reprising her Broadway role, as his quietly suffering wife, Linda; George Segal as Loman's disillusioned son Biff; and, in a small but pivotal role, Gene Wilder as Bernard, the nerd next door who grew up into the professional success that now eludes Loman and his sons. No need to hard sell anyone on this classic, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: the other new titles available are: Awake and Sing!, The Human Voice, Journey of the Fifth Horse, June Moon, The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, The Good Doctor, An Enemy of the People, The Rimers of Eldritch and Secret Service.] Aud: H, C, P. (K. Lee Benson)