Book contents
- Mark Twain in Context
- Mark Twain in Context
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chronology
- Abbreviations
- Part I Life
- Part II Literary Contexts
- Part III Historical and Cultural Contexts
- Part IV Reception and Criticism
- Part V Historical, Creative, and Cultural Legacies
- Chapter 32 Film, Television, and Theater Adaptations
- Chapter 33 Copyright, Trademark, and Brand
- Chapter 34 Mark Twain Sites
- Further Reading
- Index
- References
Chapter 32 - Film, Television, and Theater Adaptations
from Part V - Historical, Creative, and Cultural Legacies
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 December 2019
- Mark Twain in Context
- Mark Twain in Context
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chronology
- Abbreviations
- Part I Life
- Part II Literary Contexts
- Part III Historical and Cultural Contexts
- Part IV Reception and Criticism
- Part V Historical, Creative, and Cultural Legacies
- Chapter 32 Film, Television, and Theater Adaptations
- Chapter 33 Copyright, Trademark, and Brand
- Chapter 34 Mark Twain Sites
- Further Reading
- Index
- References
Summary
Mark Twain’s works have received many adaptions in film, television, and theatre, almost always with disappointing results. Translating Twain’s humor, satire, and message have proven difficult. A case in point is the 1938 film version of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, probably the best film adaptation of a Twain novel, which was followed the next year by a flawed version of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, starring Andy Rooney as Huck Finn. Filmmakers have tried in vain to portray the serious themes Twain imbedded in even his most comic works. The history of Twain in film and television is pretty much a history of good intentions and flawed results. One notable exception is the Broadway musical Big River, in which country songwriter manages ot capture Twain’s humor, spirit, and message.
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- Information
- Mark Twain in Context , pp. 329 - 340Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2020