THE PLAY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE CHILD JESUS (1952 TV-movie)

The story of the Nativity is narrated in a series of episodes which each begin as stagy and shadowy tableaux that come to life when lit. The first features the Virgin Mary, in a spotlight, being visited by the angel Gabriel who tells her she will bear a holy child. Later, a confused Joseph is visited by Gabriel, and when he asks whose child it will be, Gabriel replies, "God’s and yours." Mary and Joseph head to Bethlehem where she gives birth in a lowly manger. The other major plotlines of the story are then introduced. In his throne room, King Herod receives word of the birth of a king whom he assumes will be a rival for his power, and he eventually orders the slaughter of all newborn Jewish boys. We also see the Three Kings who see the Star in the East and go to Bethlehem to worship the child and give their standard gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Meanwhile, a small group of shepherds, wrestling and carousing, are spooked by the bright Star in the sky and an angel sends them to Bethlehem where they give the child simple rough gifts; a young and handsome shepherd has nothing to give so he says he gives Jesus his heart and suggests they sing praises to the Lord as they leave. Finally, an angel warns Mary and Joseph about Herod's wrath and sends them to Egypt to escape the slaughter.

This hour-long TV program, originally broadcast live on Westinghouse Studio One in 1952, would normally be out of the realm of the sort of films I review here, but I found it interesting and unusual enough to report on. We are told at the opening that this was "fashioned from" a cycle of English mystery plays from the 14th and 15th centuries. It's mostly rendered in verse and we are warned about the archaic language (probably middle English though pronounced in modern fashion) that is used because it adds to "the sense men once had of the majesty […] of great events." Between the language, the live TV staging, and the murky look of the kinoscope recording, this will not be everyone's cup of tea, and indeed most IMDb viewers, who have little sense of history, report being disappointed that this 70+ year old program is so primitive looking. For me, the look and sound of the play gave it an ancient and slightly otherworldly feeling that did successfully convey the feeling of "majesty" promised in the prologue, an old-fashioned somewhat stiff reverence which is the polar opposite of the messier, earthier tone that modern restagings strive for. I agree with Matt Page of Bible Films Blog who notes that the stark look of the proceedings, scenes "largely in darkness punctuated only by the occasional shafts of light," adds a great deal of effective atmosphere. Carols such as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming," "This Endris Night," and "Coventry Carol" are sung as background music by the Robert Shaw Chorale. The play is more staged than acted, and as is often the case with religious productions of this era, the actors seem too much in awe of the material to give actual performances, but the film was directed by Franklin Schaffner who went on to direct Patton and Planet of the Apes. Though the crediting is unclear, the show's creator Fletcher Markle, narrates, and Hurd Hatfield provides the voice of the unseen Gabriel. Sight and sound are affected by the poor quality of the version on YouTube, but actually that adds to the out-of-time feel of the play. [YouTube]