Martha Graham: Dance on Film
One of the great artistic forces of the twentieth century, performer, choreographer, and teacher Martha Graham influenced dance worldwide. Criterion presents a sampling of her stunning craft, all collaborations with television arts-programming pioneer Nathan Kroll. A Dancer's World (1957), narrated by Graham herself, is a glimpse into her class work and methodology. Appalachian Spring (1958) and Night Journey (1961) are two complete Graham ballets, the first a celebration of the American pioneer spirit, scored by Aaron Copland, the second a powerfully physical rendering of the Oedipus myth. These are signature Graham works and tributes to the art of the human body.
Special Features
- New, restored high-definition digital transfers of three films: A Dancer's World, Appalachian Spring, Night Journey
- Martha Graham: The Dancer Revealed, a 1994 documentary produced for PBS's American Masters series
- A comparison of Appalachian Spring with an archival performance, by dance critic and historian Deborah Jowitt
- Excerpts from a television pilot featuring composer Aaron Copland discussing his work on Appalachian Spring
- A visual essay on working with Graham, narrated by Nathan Kroll
- New interview with Museum of Television and Radio curator Ron Simon, discussing Kroll's work and legacy
- Interviews with the films' editors, Eleanor Hamerow and Miriam Arsham
- New interviews with six dancers from the films: Mimi Cole, Mary Hinkson, Linda Hodes, Stuart Hodes, Yuriko Kikuchi, and Ethel Winter
- Excerpts from a 1975 filmed technique demonstration by Graham's company, narrated by Graham
- Footage of Graham's company from a 1954 European tour
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: A new essay by dance critic Joan Acocella
New cover by Rodrigo Corral
Special Features
- New, restored high-definition digital transfers of three films: A Dancer's World, Appalachian Spring, Night Journey
- Martha Graham: The Dancer Revealed, a 1994 documentary produced for PBS's American Masters series
- A comparison of Appalachian Spring with an archival performance, by dance critic and historian Deborah Jowitt
- Excerpts from a television pilot featuring composer Aaron Copland discussing his work on Appalachian Spring
- A visual essay on working with Graham, narrated by Nathan Kroll
- New interview with Museum of Television and Radio curator Ron Simon, discussing Kroll's work and legacy
- Interviews with the films' editors, Eleanor Hamerow and Miriam Arsham
- New interviews with six dancers from the films: Mimi Cole, Mary Hinkson, Linda Hodes, Stuart Hodes, Yuriko Kikuchi, and Ethel Winter
- Excerpts from a 1975 filmed technique demonstration by Graham's company, narrated by Graham
- Footage of Graham's company from a 1954 European tour
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: A new essay by dance critic Joan Acocella
New cover by Rodrigo Corral
Cast
- Martha Graham
- Bertram Ross
- Yuriko
- Helen McGehee
- Ethel Winter
- Stuart Hodes
- Gene McDonald
- Ellen Siegel
- Paul Taylor
- Miriam Cole
Credits
- Director
- Nathan Kroll
- Dances conceived/choreographed by
- Martha Graham
- "A Dancer's World" directed and photographed by
- Peter Glushanok
- Editing
- Eleanor Hamerow
- Music composed and played by
- Cameron McCosh
- Producer
- Nathan Kroll
- "Appalachian Spring" directed and photographed by
- Peter Glushanok
- Cameraman
- Stanley Meredith
- Music as originally scored by
- Aaron Copland
- Settings
- Isamu Noguchi
- Orchestra conducted by
- Eugene Lester
- "Night Journey" directed by
- Alexander Hammid
- Cinematography
- Stanley Meredith
- Editing
- Miriam Arsham
- Assistant to producer
- Leroy Leatherman
- Music composed by
- William Shuman
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