Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey

Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey is a 2014 American documentary film directed by Scott Teems about actor Hal Holbrook's six decades performing his one-man show Mark Twain Tonight! The film was released in 2019.[2] The idea for the documentary came from Dixie Carter, Holbrook's wife.[3][4] It was shot in black and white.

Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey
Film poster of the Holbrook/Twain documentary
Directed byScott Teems
Produced byLaura D. Smith
StarringHal Holbrook
Music byHeather McIntosh
Edited byAnthony Innarelli
Distributed byAspiration Entertainment
Release date
  • June 18, 2014 (2014-06-18)
Running time
93 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budgetunknown
Box officeunknown

Subject matter

Mark Twain Tonight! was the longest-running one-man performance in theatre history. Hal Holbrook performed the show from 1954 to 2017 when he announced his retirement.[5] Director Scott Teems, who had worked with Holbrook and Dixie Carter on That Evening Sun, interviewed Holbrook, family members, fellow actors, and Twain scholars to go behind the scenes to reveal the challenges and rewards of life on the road. Mark Twain Tonight! garnered a Tony Award and Emmy Award for Holbrook but took its toll on the actor and his family. The film captures Holbrook's honest assessment of the show and its effects on him, his loved ones, and his fans. Fellow actors weigh in on Holbrook's skill and influence. Performing in all 50 states and 20 countries, Holbrook performed as Twain behind the Iron Curtain and in the Deep South during the unrest of the Civil Rights Movement. His recollections and descriptions of events reveal a tumultuous and triumphant legacy.

Production

Teems and his crew began filming the project in January 2010, including live performances of Holbrook as Twain. Segments of these performances augment the documentary as Holbrook describes his affection and respect for the author. The crew filmed in Hannibal, Missouri[6] where Samuel Clemens (aka: Mark Twain) spent his boyhood and in Elmira, New York at Twain's graveside. Twain scholars viewed an early version of the film at Elmira College in 2013.[7] Teems and his crew continued working on the film after it premiered at film festivals around the country.

Cast

Release

The documentary debuted at film festivals in 2014 and 2015 and was later released in 2019.[8] The film is distributed by Aspiration Entertainment in Nashville, Tennessee. Sensing that Mr. Holbrook's record-setting run as Twain might be coming to an end, the filmmakers delayed their release in order to add to their story, including Mr. Holbrook's celebrated 90th birthday performance before a sold-out crowd in Twain's hometown of Hartford, Connecticut.

Reviews

The American Film Institute selected the film to open its 2014 documentary festival. The Hollywood Reporter praised the film, writing, "One of the new sections at this year's LA Film Fest is called LA Muse, centering on films with a Los Angeles flavor. Most of the movies in the section are narrative features, but one documentary, Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey, stands out as one of the best films showcased in the entire festival."[9] The Washington Post said, "Viewers expecting a bland, folksy portrait of two beloved American icons fusing in Holbrook’s one-man performance instead were treated to several of Twain’s stinging, occasionally cynical, barbs directed at mendacious and hypocritical politicians."[10] Film Threat wrote, "In the end, like Holbrook’s enchanting rhythms on stage, “Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey” expertly catches the mesmerizing beats of a man who continues to share his life—in the guise of one of America's greatest humorists—with his adoring public."[11]

Awards
gollark: Not *that* long, based on things.
gollark: Well, it may be more than 20, I can't *tell*.
gollark: No, and in any case it's moot because I have the Bee Control Programming Language (BCPL).
gollark: I have to go through a transitional state of LyingAwakeInBedForPossibly20Minutes.
gollark: I am unlikely to actually sleep for another hour or more.

References
  1. "Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey". iTunes. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  2. Andrew Gans (October 29, 2019). "Watch Trailer for Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey". Playbill.
  3. Susan King (June 13, 2014). "'American Odyssey' chronicles 60 years of Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain". Los Angeles Times.
  4. Mark Dawidziak (November 2, 2019). "'Holbrook/Twain' charts the history and impact of legendary one-man-show". The Plain Dealer.
  5. BWW NewsDesk (September 13, 2017). "Hal Holbrook Retires Mark Twain Character After 63 Years". Broadway World.
  6. Trevor McDonald (November 5, 2019). "Holbrook's Twain chronicled in documentary". Hannibal Courier-Post.
  7. Matt Seybold (October 29, 2019). "You Could Get Bookings: A Review of Holbrook/Twain". Center for Mark Twain Studies.
  8. Cindy Lovell (June 14, 2014). "Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey". HuffPost.
  9. Stepean Farber (July 3, 2014). "'Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey': LAFF Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  10. Ann Hornaday (June 23, 2014). "AFI Docs turns in an exceptionally strong year, often at the expense of the U.S. government". The Washington Post.
  11. "HOLBROOK/TWAIN: AN AMERICAN ODYSSEY". Film Threats. June 28, 2014.
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