I am 66. Living in a far island. Things just never worked out for me, though I tried until I cried and srcretly screamed. Seen vids by people like Arnold and Sylvester, saying if you try hard enough, it is yours. Well, for some, it still was not enough. The real trick, is learning how to lose. It is very hard to do that, because everything is about winning. But how to lose, how to make that fit and still enjoy a beach or a cup of coffee at 4am. That is the trick.
Comrade your suffering is the epitome of capitalism. Your misfortune is not bad luck it is the brutality you have been subjected to by the capitalist class. You were alienated from your labor. Miller wrote this play not to make us love the little things but to show us how the little things are stolen and corrupted by capitalism. It is not too late though, educate yourself, educate others, and join the socialist and Marxist cause. The workers will be free one day, and you will find peace.
Reminds me of the book I've been reading called The Black Swan by Talib. Society focuses on the winners. The winners write books about what qualities they have that lead to their success. Hard work, discipline, dedication, positive attitude, etc. However, they give no credit to luck, circumstances, random things, disease, or other black swan events. The truth is that for every winner with the right attributes, there are many losers who possess the same qualities. So, their perceptions of themselves and their success are often flawed. However, there is more to it than that. Almost everyone has the ability to be successful at something but some people pick the wrong things. Things outside their wheelhouse, Lofty unrealistic dreams, etc. Some people create their own failures by dreaming too big. That way there's always an excuse. Some people just plain pick the wrong career and by the time they realize it, they're already old. Lots of variables. Lots of chance events.
You're not alone, and since you live by the beach, I am reminded of this....be encouraged. "One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I Carried You."
At 73, it also hits strong! We are only passing through this earthly realm. The goals that are set “out there” are competitive and cold! Love and support each other, and your family. Help all you can , when others need a hand. Give of yourself, but don’t lose yourself. God put us here for many reasons, but Hw will not be counting earthly treasures and money. It’s what we do with the gifts He blesses us with, that counts.
My fourth grade teacher played this on audio for our entire class back in 1970 or so. We listened to it over a few classes. My memory may be wrong but on this specific audio he shoots himself. A stunning end to our time listening. Always thought that was odd. Pretty sure it was Lee J. Cobb though the voice I always associate with Willy Loman.
lRead it at first in18,it was sadness only, but when I wachted it as aTv drama I was 28or 29,I took more things about social life and rightnow It afected me as a deep phylasophy or holy book.
According to Arthur Miller, Cobb was the greatest dramatic actor he ever saw. It is a blessing that they got him on tape doing this roles because this is his defining role, in the greatest American play ever written. It is more devastating in person with the right cast.
I love Cobb, but didn't care for this performance. I guess it is the character I don't like plus the theatric nature of the performance. Never saw the play before today. Supposed to be one of the greatest plays of all time but very depressing.
I heard Arthur Miller say he wouldn’t change a word. How many of us have seen a reflection of ourselves in one or more of the characters. The first time I saw this it took me days to shake it off. Brilliant.
When Lee J Cobb was ill and found himself in the hospital facing an operation, Frank Sinatra stepped in anonymously and paid all his medical bills and even provided for care for Lee's recovery. Upon learning who his benefactor was Lee confronted Frank and asked, 'how could he ever repay him?' Frank reportedly said, 'you're work as an actor and what it has brought to the world is payment enough'.
Holy shit! 4 minutes in and I'm struck. "Figure it out. You work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it and...no one to live in it." As I sit in an empty house watching a RU-vid version of Death of a Salesman on a rare day off from the daily grind in my middle age. Except: Because of the divorce I've had to refinance and I'm as far away from paying off the mortgage as I was 11 years ago. Wish I'd had a woman like Linda.
That's just it, Willy was searching for something bigger and greater than himself or what he had. But little did he know that he had it all there for him, kids who loved him and a wife, Linda, who's love we all strive and wish for. Willy had it all, but couldn't see past his nose. I guess everyone is like this today - all caught up in the big picture that we fail to see the great one around us. As a Sales man myself I can relate to him a lot and at 45 aren't too far behind his years. Scary at the thought. Keep your chin up mate, it's tough at the moment, but will come good soon enough.
@@eugenenewton3296 Very sad for someone to have to think that near his end, though I suppose it gives so kind of reassurance once you are gone. Regards Capitalism, I think it works on a regional/national level, but once you get to international capitalism then you are talking about a different game altogether. What I mean by regional capitalism; always has there been a "rich man"/capitalist, the one with the money and power, but not so many years ago those people had businesses in and around where they grew up and lived. With that you had people who were then, if only partly, had a more positive conscious feeling on a social level to those around them. Take parts of the West Midlands, West Brom to be precise, that area was "made" by those men who lived locally to that area and though I am sure normal people had it tough back then, they did still benefit (certainly their future ancestors) and so the benefits of capitalism offered itself and trickled down to those in need. Now we have people from other countries owning businesses in parts of the world they have no interest in - it's now VERY much so all about the dollar $$. How to make it better? Only wish I knew. Still, I believe it to be the best system we have.
@@eugenenewton3296 That's what I meant by how people have lost their sense of regional responsibility. It needs a reset, but I do not see communism being the route to take to for the betterment of society.
So much wisdom here. I am letting my unfulfilled ambitions, which i have no control over, affect my mental health and my family life. We are not doing bad, just not as good as people around us.
Hey, you got your limbs and your senses? You wake up with someone in your bed? You got kids down the hall and a steady check? A solid roof and reliable car? That's it, you're winning. You're in the endzone
Lee J Cobb was being investigated by House of Un American Activities Committee and was punished by being denied the chance to do the film version. Later he did this version on TV.
Fredric March played Willy Loman in the film version. March also played the God-Father figure John Antrobus in Thornton Wilder's 'Skin of Our Teeth' on Broadway. Just trying to see March physically and emotionally shrivel down to the body and soul of a Willy Loman----pure Hollywood casting indeed.
We read this in my technical theater class and now I'm writing a super late character analysis of Willy, and God is this one of my favorite plays. Something about the convergence of past and present and the parallels between Willy and his son's, each set up as a foil to the other-- honestly masterful storytelling. Miller was a genius in economic criticism and in play writing.
@garyabbott3861 Ah, we mostly only got to analyze plays in between one act and spring play season. Did a couple of cool projects to practice prop making too. It was definitely a lot of fun, and having a good theater teacher made a huge difference. Sorry yours wasn't more involved, but maybe you could do that sort of thing now instead. Analyze a play on your own, find some people to talk to about it- it might be even more interesting to do it on your terms, rather than for a class :^))
I absolutely love Lee J. Cobb's portrayal. I remember watching the Dustin Hoffman version thinking Hoffman's portrayal was too over the top. Cobb brilliantly played a man defeated.
I saw the Hoffman version in college in the early 2000s, and watched it yesterday too. I looked for another version to compare, and found this one. I liked the Hoffman version, but Lee J Cobb better represents what I picture Willy would look like physically. Also, I agree, Hoffman was an over the top yelling nut in that version.
There were promises made in this office ! The office scene, brutal, heartbreaking. I first 'heard' this play in the early 1970s on a long playing record in English class. It was an audio recording of this great production and I remember being very moved by it and Lee J. Cobb's performance. When NBC aired this I would have been too young to have understood it. Now it is with me for life as it will be with all who see it, for it will most certainly live forever. Thank you Eric so much for the gift of it now. Lee Cobb, Volcanic, beaten and yet, beacon of light. Willy Loman raised high.
So happy to see this production. Death of a Salesman to me is the singular greatest written form of art America has produced. It is perfection from the opening scene to the final curtain. The skill that Miller used here to move from the weight of the present moment to the hope of the fever dream pass is so well done, I marvel ever damn time I see this play. America has produced some of the world's best playwrights and here is its zenith.
You're only saying that because you're American. Yet American drama is nothing compared to centuries of European drama. Even in American drama A streetcar named desire is superior to this piece.
@@kevinrhatigan5656 it’s ALL good compared to todays challenges? No time to pick nits. Grateful to all the classic art. I’ll watch Streetcar Named Desire next and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - thanks
@@pattyjacobson Films or plays? If it's films I'd recommend watching any of the classic Italian neorealist films, that is, almost anything by Fellini, Pasolini, Rossellini, De Sica, Visconti, etc. My personal favourite is Fellini's La Strada which is a very touching film.
Thank you, Eric, for presenting this. Arthur Miller was a genius. It's excruciating to watch but a masterpiece. Cobb as Willie, the actors playing the sons are spot on, especially Hap. Fascinating to watch Wilder, too! Only character I never understood was Charley; his deliberate buffoonery, regardless of his ultimate kindness...
at the premiere of the play in the theatre after it had ended grown man sat on their chairs and wept. This was told by Arthur Miller, so it is true. Lee J. Cobb I mean no words for his ability to play. Thanks for upload!!!!!
Just finished the book. And now this film...absolutely amazing! I had also just watched "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?" with George Segal as the younger professor in that. Fantastic acting all around! Both films 1966.
Had never seen Lee J Cobb. I'm not sure I've seen more natural delivery before. (as an actor, I truly admire his conscious shifts from thought to tought -- intercepting movements and new discoveries as if the lines aren't learned. Just as it should be)
An outstanding cast lead by Lee J. Cobb. Arthur Miller’s Dad was a salesman, and anyone who has ever tried being one realizes how true to life this incredible play is.
People’s lives were much harder. Much tougher living conditions, and worse healthcare (for example no antibiotics in those days). People wore out quicker.
Lee J. Cobb and George Segal were the most outstanding performers in this play in my opinion. I really love the other performers as well, but Cobb and Segal were amazing.
Thank you, Eric, for downloading this classic. I remember seeing this show when I was fifteen. I didn't realize that the tape still exists. Thank you again.
35 years ago I went with a college English class to see this in the round in Minneapolis. I thought it was boring and irrelevant. Now...in my 50s, hits way too close home. I guess this is a classic.
I too saw this as a child, and thought it was a masterpiece. Lee J Cobb was a screen legend! Dustin Hoffman s Wiley Loman was good, but more of a little man .
What a masterpiece of theatre and television; the acting and staging were brilliant; if this was performed on stage and televised with these same actors and actresses today the accolades of praise would rain down on them, justifiably so; I understand now why this book and adaptation is so highly regarded; thanks Eric for sharing and posting; feel so fortunate and blessed to watch this on RU-vid at home in bed, the cast and crew performed this just for me, I gave them a standing ovation.
This is a remarkable bit of Theater History. Lee J. Cobb leads a brilliant cast in an ultimately dark and depressing story. Fun to see familiar faces like Gene Wilder, Seigfried (Bernie Kopell) Cyrano Jones (Stanley Adams) and Mildred Dunnock who got thrown down a flight of stairs in a wheelchair by Richard Widmark in Kiss of Death... of a Salesman.... Young Segal and Farentino acquit themselves well in the presence of greatness like Cobb. I remember seeing Hoffman a few years back and wasn't all that impressed. I am going to revisit that version and see how I feel now that I am older (and wiser). I am curious to seek out Brian Dennehy's performance as well. George C Scott played Willie on Broadway. Don't know if it was ever recorded, but that would be an interesting watch as well. The problem is, it is such a damned depressing tale... I don't know how many I can take!!
Pretty sure people understand what Arthur Miller was. You aren't some lone genius who cracked the nut. God damn it never fails to amaze me how self absorbed people can be.
Wendell Pierce's turn as Willy Loman opens in two days on Broadway. I really wish them well. It's purported to be another fantastically moving portrayal of Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman.
What a brilliancy in portrayal...especially willy loman....❤❤❤...all artists done their part very well in expressing the agony and frustrations...espevially Willy❤❤❤❤❤❤we love u willy...
As often as I've seen DOAS, no production surpasses this one. Brilliant cast, stage design, even the music worked. Fascinating too to see actors known for their television and film work especially in comedy - Wilder, Andrews, Koppell, even Segal (I saw him on tour in ART with Wayne Knight and Buck Henry). And when the tape recorded played, I thought, Wait, that's the voice of June Foray - better known as the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel and a host of other cartoon characters! Thanks for this great upload.
And George seagul here too I this drama. It's because it's from a wizard Arthur Millers powerfull stage play. There's nothing better then seeing a live stage performance you just can't get out of films.If you can't find a good film to watch then go to a stageplay as they never DISSAPOINTED the disappointed veiwers.
Thanks a lot for this upload. I always wanted to see Lee J. Cobb's original interpretation of the role. The only one who came close in later years was Brian Dennehy.
@@kaysanmohamed6586 I never read the book Kansan but 40 years in Sales I saw many men in tears and popping pills to stay in the race . Selling is the Highest paid job in the world if you are good at it and the worst paid job in the world if you are bad at it . In the Film there are so many bitter Truths . In the film he was working every hour God Made , I was mostly Top salesmen in the Companies I worked for But was only doing 20 hours a week as I had two children to bring up as a single parent ,
This is (as far as I can remember) the first time i really cried watching a movie. Never got to see it in school as I didn´t grow up in the us and I definetly don´t regret catching up and finally watching a version of this Play.
🇺🇲🗿🎭😠👵👨🦰The great stage wrighter Arthur Miller I agree This feels more like a stage play then a movie. It was originally intended as a stage play. Stage plays hold so much of attention .They are power houses looking forward to listen to this. I HAVE ONLY BEEN TO ONE LIVE STAGE play before that was in in London I think it was in the eighties some time I forgot the title of of the drama quite an evenings entertainment it was about the Bosnia war in yugoslavia . When there was a revolution in the counrty and the army had taken over the country ftom the goverment of the time. with the three pro goverment people holding out in there house knowing the revolutionaries were closing in on them.🇱🇷 reminds me of Harold Pinters work.
I loved that book in highscool('76), that and "catcher in the rye", what a melodramatic punk I must a been! What a sad story, it still gets me, guess I'm still sentimental. They had a losing attitude from the get go,eh, food for thought young people!
Thanks so much for this. My God, the authority that Mr. Cobb gives to the role, what with it (likely) being written with him in mind, almost twenty years of experience with it and knowing that it 'belongs' to him.
What I said also holds for Mildred Dunnock. I was fascinated reading about the auditions for the original production where they made it absolutely clear they were not interested in her for the role, but she wouldn't take that for an answer and kept showing up until she wore them down. Inspiring! She was also the first Big Mama in 'Hot Tin Roof', also directed by Kazan. Williams had written the role for a heavy lady and changed his text for the original production, removing the 'fat' references.
George Segal, James Farantino, and Gene Wilder so young here. And Gene and George we lost just recently. Wow the color quality and sound on this isnt bad for nearly 60 year old production. Edward Andrews in a dramatic role? WOW hes good. I remember him from a lot of TV and Movie Guest Appearances and commercials...mostly comedic (Molly Ringwald's grandad in SIXTEEN CANDLES)
I've heard about this play for a long time. I just could never watch it in movie form. But, I sure am glad I watched it with such great talent playing the roles. What a great written play, so American. I saw another video that says that this is not about the American dream. What B.S. It's about the stresses of obtaining the American dream.
People don’t work as hard now as they used to . We have cars and hoovers and washing machines and better living conditions etc. So we don’t wear out so quickly.
2022 march 8 very fine Totally agree correct isa this is an Exceptional play with superb performances from all the actors. one of the greats of american thearta staged plays .So glad that I found this to watch.A mile stone of thearta production and acting as .much better then movies
Lee J Cobb played the role of Dr. Dozous in "Song of Bernadette" with Jennifer Jones in 1943. He was only 32 years old but looked much older. I think he had a mature quality, even as a young actor.
This literary/dramatic masterpiece has been translated into literally hundreds of languages and performed in almost every country on the globe, so devastatingly universal are its themes. Once you know the play, you could attend a performance in a language that you don’t understand and still be swept away in the story, such was Miller’s genius. I had the privilege of acting in this(playing Happy) 20 years ago at a small theatre company in San Francisco, we ran it for 9-10 weeks, 4-5 shows per week, and not a single actor got bored taking the stage every night. 5 minutes into every show we were all completely swept away in what we were creating & participating in, like “magic dust” in the air every night…🙏🎭
Life is always the same, while the values change. It's harder for the older generation to accept the changes, while the younger one don't know the past. The wonderful truth is we all have to go through the dilemma. We must be proud to be grumpy old men.
Yes the thearta sorts out the wheat from the chaff the men from the boys im a great fan of Russian authors and there stage works checkov cherry orchard many others
Cobb did this on Broadway, he said it was one of his greatest achievements. There's also a Fredric March and Dustin Hoffman version. Cobb, always gruff and a bit of a loudtalker.. On the Waterfront, Come Blow Your Horn, 12 Angry Men, Coogan's Bluff, Thieves Highway. Farentino went off the deep end and got in hot water regarding his Tina Sinatra relationship.53:00>Very sad.Guy is on knees. Getting the bum's rush and swept under the rug.
shoutouts to Happy for dealing with neglect from just about everyone shoutouts to Biff for keeping that secret for 17 years shoutouts to Bernard for somehow surviving a fist fight against Biff, who at the time was in his prime as a football player
Cobb would probably never have been asked to do the 1951 film, because he was not a star like Fredric March. When he got his chance to do it on film here, he was the correct age for the character.
Interesting how Willie praises Chevy as the best car ever made, then almost in the same breath calls it junk when the smallest flaw or repair is mentioned. Reveals a lot about his character.
Examples of that almost throughout the play where Willy contradicts himself, as in when he's speaking about the refrigerator or son Biff. An interesting character trait. The obvious answer is that Miller is demonstrating Willy's onset of dementia but I suspect it may be deeper than that.
I don’t think the writer intended those contradictions to represent dementia. In fact, I don’t think Willie has dementia at all. He is just very tired and very depressed. The reason he contradicts himself is that he is desperately trying to lift his own spirits by pretending everything is ok (eg that he has hard working, talented sons) and that historically he made the right decisions (eg that he bought the best brand of refrigerator) - but then reality and depression keep creeping back and the truth leaks out (ie that his sons are lazy and that the fridge is junk). EDIT: Also, when his late brother and younger versions of his sons pop up in the scene and talk to Willie, that is not dementia. They are part of Willie’s internal monologue. It’s all about regret and shame and guilt and fear and resentment and unexpressed rage and envy and loneliness and lost opportunities and failure and depression. Memories that you suppressed many years ago, can no longer be suppressed when you are old and not fully occupied with a job and you have no company other than your own thoughts. Those conversations that Willie has with his brother etc, are suppressed memories creeping back. Not dementia.
I've taught this to summer school students the past few years, focusing on how it's a dark look at the American Dream, how if a person values style over substance they're eventually exposed, and how it's important to value what you have. As a way to wrap the unit up, I pair it with Rocky and compare that look at the American Dream (much more positive) and you'd be shocked at some of the parallels students draw. I do agree, though, that as an adult it definitely hits different.
Wow that was really good. Its nearly 60 years old. I am not American but can understand a father who has slogged his guts out providing for his family and expecting great things but couldn't deal with the fact they didn't live up to his expectations. The visions he had were just a symptom of his inability to cope with it. And ultimately he just lost it. Very relevant to this day. He obviously was suffering from some sort of mental health issues and possibly dementia. Very sad. There is a dearth of older men who commit suicide and those who are left behind wonder why? I'm 63, the same age as the character but I just let my children go their own way. I wouldn't even think of telling them what to do. It is what it is, just make the best of it. Very well written play, much better than the movie.