Jane Eyre (Studio One)


"Jane Eyre" is a 1949 American television play adapting the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. It aired as an episode of Studio One and starred Charlton Heston as Rochester.

Premise

A woman, Jane Eyre, goes to work as a governess at Thornfield Hall, run by the mysterious Rochester.

Cast

Production

The episode was Heston's sixth appearance for Studio One. He had previously made "Of Human Bondage" for the show; like that, this was adapted by Sumner Locke Elliott.

Reception

The episode was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, whose biographer wrote, "From the start of the show to its end, Miner's influence is apparent: Schaffner's camera is constantly on the move; in a few years he would be known for his long and graceful tracking shots. Oddly enough, none of the other networks used a moving camera to any extent."
The Independent called it "moving and well integrated."
Producer Hal B. Wallis was so impressed by Charlton Heston's performance he offered him a contract and put Heston in Dark City.