As an American literature teacher, I always loved the 1977 public television version of Our Town. Hal Holbrook is just as good as the Stage Manager as he was as Mark Twain, although there are a few places where he sounds like his Mark Twain. Nonetheless, this 1989 version, now offered as a tandem with the earlier version, is absolutely wonderful, just like Emily's moonlight. It is closer to Wilder in that there is just the called-for props. But the emotional edge that Spalding Gray brings to it and the acting across the board is perfect. I know this play backwards and forwards, but I agree with the previous reviewer that the soda fountain scene is sheer emotion and sure to bring some tears to the eye. Sadly, a lot of modern American literature books are no longer including the play in order to be more culturally diverse (with great plays like A Raisin in the Sun), but we need to keep this play alive and use these excellent videos (both offer an interesting comparison for students to consider).
Review of Our Town
