The Ghost of Tom Joad, on Stage

May 23, 2008 4:25 PM

Trying to track down a DVD or a digital download of the filmed version of the Steppenwolf production of The Grapes of Wrath.

My Google-Fu will, at the most, give me some still images from the play (from what looks to be a video tape), and the name of the production company (FNM Films).

It looks like I can watch the Henry Fonda version for free on Google Video, but I'm specifically trying to find the Gary Sinise version.

posted by thanotopsis to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

Well you might be able to watch a copy of the performance at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts. They have an archive of video taped productions from Broadway, Off-Broadway and beyond. These are research archives and you can only watch them at the library and they can be protective (there have been some past intellectual property theft).

You might also call Steppenwolf directly and see if they made an archive copy of the production, but again, you would have to probably go to the theatre to watch it.

The various theatrical unions and contracts are not conducive to taping productions and distributing them to the public.
posted by brookeb at 6:09 PM on May 23, 2008

Back when I used to teach high school English (ca. 1990-1994), we had a VHS copy of the Steppenwolf production that was recorded from PBS' .American Playhouse broadcast. Look at this PDF for more info on the stage production and its eventual broadcast on PBS. According to the PDF, it was aired on 3/22/1991.

Good luck -- it's worth finding. As much as I enjoy the Henry Fonda version for its power, the Steppenwolf version is much truer to the story that Steinbeck wrote. I'd also recommend seeking out the 50th anniversary text, which has an awesome forward by Studs Terkel.
posted by mosk at 9:17 PM on May 23, 2008

Updating my answer above with the following:

1) American Playhouse ran periodically from 1982 - 1994. It is no longer being produced.

2) As best as I can tell, the Steppenwolf production of The Grapes of Wrath that was aired on American Playhouse has never been offered for sale commercially.

3. Monterey Media sells videos of some American Playhouse productions. Unfortunately, (but consistent with the above comment) they do not currently offer The Grapes of Wrath.

4) According to this link from the Northwestern University library, "'American Playhouse' series information can be obtained by calling [phone]; video information is available at [phone]."

5) Your best bet may be to contact the English departments of various high schools in your area. Someone somewhere has a copy of this on VHS.

Again, good luck.
posted by mosk at 10:23 PM on May 24, 2008