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The King and Mrs. Candle
The King and Mrs Candle is a 1955 American TV play. It was directed by Arthur Penn and written by Sumner Locke Elliott.[1] It was an original musical for TV, although it adapted a 1954 episode of Philco Television Playhouse written by Elliott.[2] PremiseA European monarch, the King of Brandovia, comes to America when there is a revolution at home, and works as a dancing instructor. He falls in love with Mrs Candle, the widow who runs the dance school. His former fiance arrives and causes complications. Cast1954 ProductionThe script was originally written as an episode of The Philco Television Playhouse. It aired in 1954 and was directed by Arthur Penn and starred Cyril Ritchard and Joan Greenwood. Variety wrote "the kind of tongue-in-cheek comedy which tv viewers rarely get to enjoy, and which in fact is extremely difficult to put over, was managed with considerable gusto."[3] ProductionNBC enjoyed great success with a musical transmission of Peter Pan and decided to musicalise The King and Mrs Candle. Elliott did the adaptation, and Ritchard and Greenwood reprised their roles, as did director Arthur Penn. Music was by Moose Charlop (who had composed for Peter Pan) and lyrics were by Chuck Sweeney. NBC publicised the musical by promoting songs from the soundtrack recorded by Tony Martin ("Young Ideas") and Eydie Gorme.[4] Songs
ReceptionThe New York Times called it "relaxing and enjoyable television".[5] Variety wrote "For what it was the Philco show was a pleasant romp. As a musical comedy, King and Mrs. Candle was something less satisfying."[6] References
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