Once in a Lifetime (1988)

Intro

A play by Moss Hart & George S Kaufman, adapted for television, and first broadcast on 25 December 1988, 8.30pm.

Photos

With thanks to Nadine for the photo, which shows George Lewis (played by Niall Buggy) and May Daniels (Zoe Wanamaker).

Overview

The introduction of films with sound in the late 1920s encourages three enterprising vaudeville performers, May Daniels, Jerry Hyland, and George Lewis, to leave New York and head for Hollywood in Once in a Lifetime.

Rather than wanting to perform in the new 'talkies', sparky May and her friends seek their fortunes on the other side of the camera, by establishing an elocution school for silent film stars. (It was no longer sufficient to look the part on screen, you had to sound right too!)

A chance meeting during their journey leads to the trio being hired by the Herman Glogauer Studio, where May's lack of experience as voice coach quickly becomes apparent. Meanwhile, the rather dim George unexpectedly finds himself the toast of Hollywood with his unorthodox approach to filmmaking.

Crew

Director: Robin Midgley
Producer: Shaun Sutton

Notes

Having starred in the Royal Shakespeare Company's tremendously successful stage production of Once in a Lifetime (1979), Zoë reprised her role as May Daniels for this television adaptation of the play.