What an interesting find! I didn't know this version existed, and it seems that for many decades nobody else did either. Although it is Black and White it is fun to watch.
It is a snappy 46 minute version made for television in the 1950s, closely modeled on the 1947 movie. It was never intended to be preserved beyond that one showing.
For such a fleeting almost throwaway product, I am very impressed with the care taken with its production and the excellent casting.
I'm not saying it is "better" than full length movie versions of the story, but it is a
well done TV version.
I can't really call it an adaptation as it so closely copies the film version. I suppose television at this time was still finding its own place is the entertainment industry and experimenting with its relationship to feature films.
How great that the Library of Congress unearthed the only copy of this production and we're able to see it after so long lost.
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