Paul Giamatti Spars With Lincoln In 'Rivalry'
As presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain trade jabs in their final presidential debate Wednesday, another historic political debate will be under way across the country. In Los Angeles, actors Paul Giamatti and David Strathairn will be reenacting the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, as part of the play The Rivalry.
Though the seven-part face-off occurred 150 years ago — and the Norman Corwin play was written in 1958 — its content is pertinent, the actors tell Alex Cohen.
At the time, Republican Abraham Lincoln and Democrat Stephen Douglas were competing for a seat in the U.S. Senate. This was, of course, well before the days of televised debate coverage. Giamatti, who plays Douglas, says that likely worked in the candidates' favor.
"These two guys, they were physical freaks," he says, "Douglas was 5'4" and Lincoln was like 8 feet tall, and they both weighed like 90 pounds!"
But back in 1858, looks weren't as important as eloquence — and longevity. The debate format was very different back then, says Strathairn, who plays Lincoln.
"The opening speaker would speak for 60 minutes, the next speaker had 90 minutes where he could read his rebuttal, then after that the first speaker would have 30 minutes … These guys could go on for hours!"
Read entire article at NPR
Though the seven-part face-off occurred 150 years ago — and the Norman Corwin play was written in 1958 — its content is pertinent, the actors tell Alex Cohen.
At the time, Republican Abraham Lincoln and Democrat Stephen Douglas were competing for a seat in the U.S. Senate. This was, of course, well before the days of televised debate coverage. Giamatti, who plays Douglas, says that likely worked in the candidates' favor.
"These two guys, they were physical freaks," he says, "Douglas was 5'4" and Lincoln was like 8 feet tall, and they both weighed like 90 pounds!"
But back in 1858, looks weren't as important as eloquence — and longevity. The debate format was very different back then, says Strathairn, who plays Lincoln.
"The opening speaker would speak for 60 minutes, the next speaker had 90 minutes where he could read his rebuttal, then after that the first speaker would have 30 minutes … These guys could go on for hours!"