What I think I know is that the youtube / Christian Science piece was done a number of years ago to create a sizzle reel - designed to entice investment. He is now "touring" a staged version of the show to get public support and further his cause. I heard that he will be taking it to the east coast - to the DC area. Not sure though.

As for the 'dead' comment, I expected that response. My comment was meant as an expression of my own fears that Twain is underappreciated by younger audiences; maybe Kilmer is the person who can take him to the next generation. He has stated that as one of his objectives. Wanting to see a younger Twain may be an excellent idea. Is it time for another biopic? Would the younger Twain be able to speak about the same issues as the one who brings us the mature thinking? And will anyone besides Academics care?


On Aug 20, 2013, at 11:24 AM, Carl J. Chimi wrote:

> Well, I won't argue that Kilmer is a bad actor.  He isn't, but rather is a v=
> ery accomplished at his craft, and successful.  I will, perhaps, point out t=
> hat he is 53, and therefore somewhat older than Holbrook was 40 or so years a=
> go.  (I've seen Holbrook twice, both in the 1970s.   Had tickets to see him l=
> ast fall, but he had to cancel his show in Wilkes-Barre, sadly.)  And that, b=
> y the time I saw Holbrook in, I think, 1972, he had been taking on the role f=
> or maybe over 20 years.  Kilmer doesn't seem to have that sort of background=
> with Twain.
> 
> That said, all I have seen of Kilmer in the role is a short video on YouTube=
> .  I just couldn't find him convincing, but I can't say why right now.  I th=
> ink it is mostly because he really doesn't look like Mark Twain, even with t=
> he makeup.  Holbrook is not a dead ringer (Fredric March was arguably closer=
> in appearance with makeup), but he came close, even as a young man with goo=
> d makeup.
> 
> And, as far as I can tell, I am not dead, and don't expect to be for quite a=
> number of years.  So, I guess I can make comparisons for a while yet.  Holb=
> rook works, Kilmer needs work.  But I hope he matures in the role, as he is a=
> worthy actor and can perhaps get better prosthetics to help him create the i=
> llusion.
> 
> Just my opinion,
> 
> Carl
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Aug 20, 2013, at 9:15 AM, Alan Kitty <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> If you saw Holbrook 40 years ago you may be stating the case for Kilmer do=
> in=3D
>> g Twain at the same age. Ive seen clips of him as Twain and as a performer=
> h=3D
>> e is as capable.=3D20
>> =20
>> But he does not have to survive comparison if those who would compare the t=
> w=3D
>> o are dead. Then the only way to compare is recordings. I have seen Holbro=
> ok=3D
>> live four times and watched several recordings - both his and Kilmer - man=
> y=3D
>> more.=3D20
>> =20
>> Both have credibly interpreted the iconic original. The difference will be=
> t=3D
>> he material. This raises the question of audience. Will the sAme material i=
> n=3D
>> spire a younger audience - and will a younger Twain appeal to them more?
>> =20
>> As a Twain interpreter I am dying to see how it comes out.=3D20
>> Alan
>> =20
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> =20
>> On Aug 19, 2013, at 10:12 PM, "Carl J. Chimi" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> =20
>>> Hmm.  The difference between the lightning bug and the lightning...
>>> =3D20
>>> Personally, I wish actors would stop thinking the only Mark Twain worth p=
> o=3D
>> rt=3D3D
>>> raying is the iconic, old, white-suited Mark Twain.  I'd sort of like to s=
> =3D
>> ee=3D3D
>>> portrayals of him as he was in the 1860s, 1870s, and 1880s on the stage.
>>> =3D20
>>> Putting him in a white suit and old makeup just invites comparison to Hal=
> H=3D
>> o=3D3D
>>> lbrook, whom I first saw as Mark Twain on a stage in Boston over 40 years=
> a=3D
>> g=3D3D
>>> o.  No one is going to survive that comparison, not even a relatively acc=
> o=3D
>> mp=3D3D
>>> lished actor like Val Kilmer.
>>> =3D20
>>> My .02.
>>> =3D20
>>> Carl
>>> =3D20
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>> =3D20
>>> On Aug 19, 2013, at 8:31 PM, Dwayne Eutsey <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> =3D20
>>>> http://imgur.com/a/oVUBH/all

Alan Kitty
609-219-9339
[log in to unmask]
www.marktwainslaststand.com