Alfred Drake, a renowned and esteemed musical leading man, made a lasting impact on the world of Broadway. His remarkable talent and dedication to his craft led him to create iconic male leads in three groundbreaking musicals: "Oklahoma!" (1943),"Kiss Me Kate" (1949),and "Kismet" (1953). Despite his impressive stage presence, Drake never reprised these roles on the big screen.
A true aficionado of live theater, Drake's career was deeply rooted in the world of stage performances. He never ventured to Hollywood, except for a few select film appearances. His most notable film role was as the star of "Tars and Spars" (1946),a post-war comedy, and a small part as the President of the Exchange in the 1983 comedy "Trading Places", where he delivered the iconic line "Mortimer, your brother's not well" to Don Ameche.
In 1964, Drake took on the role of Claudius in a production of "Hamlet", which was filmed live in a Broadway theater using the innovative Electronovision process. This groundbreaking technology allowed the performance to be distributed in movie theaters across the country, and the film is now available on DVD.
Outside of these select film appearances, Drake's legacy can only be preserved through the memories of those who had the privilege of witnessing his enchanting performances on stage during the golden era of Broadway musicals. His iconic performances on Broadway cast albums only provide a glimpse into the true magic he brought to his craft, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of musical theater.
