Story Theatre (1971– ) User Reviews (6)

A Nice Experience for only one season

[theowinthrop · 8/10 · 30 December 2007]

This show never got the audience it deserved. With a bunch of talented character actors led by Avery Schrieber, Bob Dishy, Gabriel Dell (whose name is not on the list on this thread), Valerie Harper, Hamilton Camp, Richard Libertini, and Alan Alda it lasted all of one big season on Saturday evenings around seven thirty for half an hour episodes. It was simple - dramatize various legends and fairy tales allowing the cast to act out their relatively simple parts but playing them with a subtext for the grown-ups to appreciate. And it worked.

In one episode, for example, Dishy plays a younger brother of two older and apparently wiser brothers (one is Peter Bonnerz) who are crippled in tangling with an ogre played by Dell. Dishy decides to even the situation and confronts the ogre, but pretends he is a simpleton who is there to serve him. Dell is willing to accept this (he is an egotist), but every time he gives an order Dishy somehow gums it up so that Dell is humiliated or hurt (but given that Dishy is supposed to be a simpleton, Dell can't retaliate!). In the end he traps Dell in front of his town, and Dell is forced to pay reparation for crippling the older two brothers.

It actually worked out pretty nicely, especially with a crew of professional actors who knew how to do the most with such material. But at 7:30 P.M. for half an hour on Saturday, it was in a slot that really did not invite an audience. I'm glad to see it has been saved on video.

It was fairy tales but far better than its Saturday Morning slot.

[cenlow · 9/10 · 1 December 2006]

It was fairy tales but far better than its Saturday Morning slot. This ensemble group, many who later became famous, reenacted fairy tales as a troop of itinerant troubadours. The actors were obviously having fun and presented the program with respect and responsibility rather than a throw away piece of Saturday morning fluff. As I recall they would occasionally interact with their audience, speaking to the camera. And the content of their little presentations brought insight to the well known stories. You wouldn't recognize Alan Alda when he later appeared in MASH. Most of the others have long careers as reliable character actors. I suspect it would stand the test of time if it were released for DVDs.

Imagination over budget

[raymond-andre · 9/10 · 23 July 2009]

As I recall it, the series was made with minimal costumes and props, no sets (a darkened studio) and first rate acting all around. It called on imagination over budget. The actors (dressed in black tights) mime their characters and many of the props. I recall horses done a la Monty Python (albeit without the coconuts.Nothing prevented an actor from becoming a stork or a fox before my very eyes. The stories varied in length from a minute to twenty or so.

This series brightened my childhood on Saturday mornings by allowing me to discover the wonderful stories of Lafontaine, Aesop and others. A whole generation of kids NEED to be shown this series. I really wish more of these were available on DVD. With extras please.

Story Theatre was part of my childhood

[devo-wallace · 8 July 2009]

My Dad was part of the crew for this show - floor director I think. They shot the opening (the caravan passing through the countryside, picking up stragglers like Hamid Hamilton Camp along the way, to the sound of "Why Don't We Sing This All Together" the Stones song, covered by a Vancouver group called Spring) in some farmland just near where I lived. The caravan crosses a bridge that has since been torn down, though the rest of the road is still there. There was a large canvas tarp with Story Theatre in a big circle printed on it which became a part of my family's camping tent. I also recall visiting the Burnaby studio where the stories were taped and my Dad showing me the set with the rock that Cuchulain couldn't lift but Finn MacCoul could - if I remember correctly. I've always followed those actors since then. It was a terrific show, and a terrific idea for a show. A major part of my childhood memories.

great character actors and great fairy tales.

[wabacher · 10/10 · 5 February 2008]

my son, Jeff, his mom, and I used to watch these interesting and terrific fairy tales in Odenton, Maryland. Jeff was about five years old then. We enjoyed the tales very much; and thirty or so years later I can still remember sitting in front of the television and enjoying them. My son had his Spider-man comics then, and I had enjoyed Turok Son of Stone and Blackhawk comics when I was a kid. But these tales on television were always an enjoyable way of spending a half-hour or hour. I don't recall which of the characters or tales Jeff or his mom, Terry, liked; but I can remember being captivated by Avery Schreiber, Paul Sand, and Richard Libertini. Also Richard Schaal and Peter Bonerz. It's also been nice whenever I've see any of these great character actors through the years in other shows or movies. It is sad, though, that Story Theatre is not on t.v. nowadays. Nor are the tales on DVD. I would love for my grandchildren, Samantha and JayJay, and their parents, Jeff and Alda, to be able to watch them.

inspiration

[jeannemc-51607 · 10/10 · 12 October 2016]

Each weekend night as we dressed to go out Story Theatre played, and I enjoyed it as much and more than our young sons. At the time I taught 2nd grade in a suburban school in CT where creativity was encouraged and supported. The 3 teachers at this grade level had to present a theater production each year. We decided to do a unit on Folktales. Each class chose a tale to perform each in a different style. My class chose "The Cat in the Hat". I can't recall the other 2 choices. Working on this production changed my life for the better. With the teamwork of teaches, parents and staff along with the Beatles and John Denver's "Sun" songs and wonderful use of the stage, the second grades took the prize for that year. It was a fantastic experience for all concerned. A wonderful actress from the neighborhood attended and loved it. We had an "overflow" audience.

All this happened because of Story Theatre. A few year's later I left teaching and joined MtV Networks at its beginning and enjoyed 20 years in the industry. Thank you, Paul Sills and everyone connected to this great show!