Ca. 1950s Photograph of the soundstage of an experimental television production of “Trifles,” a feminist drama by Susan Glaspell.


Photograph of the soundstage and set of an experimental, early television production of Helen Glaspell’s one-act play Trifles. The 1916 play, based on a real-life murder, is set in a rural farmhouse kitchen, with the plot and dialogue exploring the social and psychological divisions between men and women. The play was previously filmed in 1930, starring Jason Robards Sr. and Sarah Padden.

The actors, including Helen Wesley and Arthur Geary, are gathered around the kitchen table in the photograph. The production crew, three television cameras, a boom microphone, and a hyper-lighting setup of over 65 lamps  are visible in the foreground.

The experimental nature of this production, noted in the caption,  likely refers to the uniformly lit set (ensuring consistent visuals) and the use of three cameras to capture the performance. These techniques were pioneered in the early 1950s by producer Jerry Fairbanks and his live anthology television series “The Silver Theater,” and by “I Love Lucy” cinematographer Karl Freund.


Description: Ca. 1950s Photograph of the soundstage of an experimental television production of “Trifles,” a feminist drama by Susan Glaspell.

[Np, ca. 1950s]. 8 x 10 inches. Number “9588-4” in negative. Ink circle on image; verso with pencil caption. Creases small tear and corner loss in left margin; very good.

[3733222]

Price: $75.00

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