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Hansel and Gretel is a musical adaptation of theBrothers Grimm story. It was directed byPaul Bogart and broadcast as a live television special onNBC on April 27, 1958. It is one of a long series of fantasies presented on television as musical specials after the enormously successful first two telecasts of theMary MartinPeter Pan. ButHansel and Gretel did not repeat the success ofPeter Pan or several of the other specials. It was shown only once, then lapsed into obscurity, although a cast album was issued. The album, also long forgotten, has recently been issued oncompact disc.[1]
The adaptation, like the telecast1957 musical adaptation ofPinocchio withMickey Rooney, features songs byAlec Wilder andWilliam Engvick. It introduces many characters not in the original story including a quartet of characters named, respectively, Eenie, Meanie, Miney and Moe. Moe is portrayed bySondra Lee, who played Tiger Lily inPeter Pan. Rather incongruously, thirty-nine-year-old comedianRed Buttons appears as Hansel, and then-new Broadway starBarbara Cook is Gretel. Other cast members includeHans Conried,Stubby Kaye, andRisë Stevens. The production's original sponsor wasRexall.
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