Death of a Salesman

Been watching (or, listening, rather) to "Death of a Salesman" all
day. I've been through the 1951 version, for which Fredric March was
Oscar-nominated (as was Kevin McCarthy for his portrayal of Biff, and
Mildred Dunnock as Linda). The film itself was also nominated for Best
Cinematography. I wonder if this is the most well-known film version.
It's good, but I've always found the music (which was *also*
nominated) a bit overbearing. It's typical melodramatic 50's stuff,
and there's nothing wrong with it, but the dialogue is so rich that
any kind of music feels extraneous to me, and prominent music borders
on obnoxious.

I've also been through the 1985 version (Dustin Hoffman and John
Malkovich), which I quite like, though it's always bothered me the way
Hoffman mutters so many of his lines, making them barely decipherable.
It's particularly bothersome because the performance is a good one,
and feel like it's the most sympathetic portrayal of Willy Loman.
Malkovich is very good as Biff, but I've never quite been able to buy
him as a strapping football hero.

I think my favorite remains the *audio* version, starring Lee J. Cobb,
who originated the role on Broadway. It's such an aggressive, powerful
performance; heartbreaking, maddening and infuriating all at once. I
first heard this performance when I borrowed it from the "audio book"
section of the library years ago, and it deeply affected me. It must
have been something to see him in the role on stage. Apparently Cobb
revived the role in a 1966 television movie, which I'd quite like to
see, but apparently it's an abridged version of the play, which
doesn't sound promising. On the other hand, Miller wrote the
abridgement himself, so perhaps it's solid. I can't think of a single
scene I wouldn't miss, though.

-- 
-pcg
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