One of Broadway's most venerable, respected musical leading men, Alfred
Drake created the male leads in "Oklahoma!" (1943), "Kiss Me Kate"
(1949) and "Kismet" (1953). Sadly, he re-created none of these roles on
screen. Very much a man of his beloved live theater, he never did go to
Hollywood, except for the starring role in "Tars and Spars" (1946) for
Columbia Pictures, a post-war comedy, and for a small role as the
President of the Exchange in 1983's "Trading Places" (the one who says
to Don Ameche "Mortimer, your brother's not well"). The 1964 production
of "Hamlet" in which he played Claudius was filmed live in a Broadway
theatre, was made in a new process of the time, (Electronovision) and
distributed in movie theaters in the 60s and early 70s. It is available
on DVD.
And so, apart from those films mentioned, as well as TV appearances
both in starring roles and as a guest star in episodic series, his name
and art can only live on in the memories of those who saw him work his
particular brand of magic on stage during the golden years of the
Broadway musical, his performances on Broadway cast albums giving only
a partial idea of just how potent that magic was.
The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus(1985)as The Great Ak
Spenser: For Hire(1985)as Roman St. George
Trading Places(1983)as President of Exchange
The Edge of Night(1956)as Dwight Endicott, Dwight Endicott (1982)
The Wide World of Mystery(1973)as Fred Carter
CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley(1979)
Mr. Mercedes(2017)
Brows Held High(2011)
The 25th Annual Tony Awards(1971)
American Masters(1985)as Self
The 44th Annual Tony Awards(1990)as Self - Tony of Honor Recipient
Hanya: Portrait of a Pioneer(1988)as Narrator
Rodgers & Hammerstein: The Sound of American Music(1985)as Self
Night of 100 Stars(1982)as Self
Michael Grade's Stars of the Musical Theatre(2014)
Great Performances(1971)as Self - Performer
Biography(1987)as President of Exchange
Broadway: The American Musical(2004)as Curly McLain, Petruchio
