Martha Graham: Dance on Film

Film Info

United States
1959
93 minutes
Black and White
1.33:1
English
Spine #406

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.

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 and Miriam Arsham
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
Assistant to producer	Leroy Leatherman
Music composed by	William Shuman

Disc Features

SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET:

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
PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by dance critic Joan Acocella