Balladeer’s Blog’s recurring feature Forgotten Television returns with this look at four television presentations of works by the Russian writer Anton Chekhov.
UNCLE VANYA (February 10th, 1967) – On this date American public television aired the 1963 theatrically released film version of Anton Chekhov’s classic play. In late 1800s Russia, an elderly scholar and his young wife Yelena arrive at the home cared for by his first wife’s brother Vanya.
Plans to sell the family property instigate personal crises, including Vanya falling in love with Yelena. The cast included Laurence Olivier, Rosemary Harris, Michael Redgrave, Fay Compton, Sybil Thorndyke and Robert Lang. This was a 90 minute presentation.
THE LADY WITH THE DOG (February 2nd, 1968) – This was a 75-minute 1960 movie from the Soviet Union but set in 19th Century Russia. The production aired on American public television in 1968.
Adapted from a short story by Anton Chekhov, The Lady with the Dog was the story of banker Dimitri Gurov and upper-class wife Anna Sergeyovna. Both are in loveless marriages and pursue an affair with each other. English subtitles.
THE SEAGULL (November 8th, 1968) – This production of the classic Anton Chekhov play first aired on the BBC program Theatre 625 in March, 1966. This rebroadcast is from American public television.
Pamela Brown, Robert Stephens and Sydney Tafler starred. The parathespian drama presents the interactions among a mid-talent but high-profile writer, a young ingenue, a fading older actress and her son, who aspires to be a Deep Playwright. 90 minutes.
THE DUEL (December 11th, 1969) – This was an adaption of Anton Chekhov’s short story about a souring affair between a civil servant and a married woman in a Crimean town and its impact on third parties in their lives.
John Harvey and Katharine Blake were among the cast members. Paired with the 83-minute production was a 5-minute animated Polish short titled Pyramid.
FOR MORE FORGOTTEN TELEVISION CLICK HERE.
Balladeer's Blog 
I like Chekhov. He is unusual among Russian authors, a bit lighter, less droll, and more of a plot to his stories–in my estimation. Didn’t know about this show.
Oh, I agree! I find him much more reader friendly than so many other Russian writers!
Fantastically niche post, Balladeer! Love it. I might have to dig them out on YouTube. I keep getting into bed with my book of Chekhov plays but fall asleep while I’m trying to remember who is who…
Thank you very much! I can relate to that bit about trying to remember who’s who!
The excellent person was Chekhov! Well shared 👏
Thank you very much! You’re excellent, too!
Thank you. Who told I am excellent 🙄🙄🙄
Everybody knows.
Only balladeer knows 🫣🫣🫣
I’m sure others do, too.
😁😁🤭🤭😮
I don’t know it.😮😮😮
You do now!
Really 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🤭
Ha!
😍😍😍
Fantastic post, Balladeer! Love it.
Of the Russian writers, Chekhov not one of my faves. But a good post. As we have come to expect.
Thank you very much, sir! I appreciate it!