Burton's B'way 'Hamlet' lives again on film

GOOD MORNING: With apologies to Shakespeare, alas, poor Richard, I knew him well. I'm talking about Richard Burton and his "Hamlet" of 1964 at the Lunt-Fontanne theater. It was Electronovision'd on stage by Bill Sargent and has now been given a life it never had via today's digitalization and super-sound processes. It was shown as the finale of the British National Film Theatre's Shakespeare Film Festival last week, and when Sally Burton arrives in New York this week, she and producer Paul Brownstein will meet with Alexander H. Cohen, producer of the original stage production, to set distribution. And Sally tells me she will show it to -- Ralph Fiennes, whose appearance in "Hamlet" should help interest in Burton's ... I remember when Sargent put Burton and company on film directly from the Broadway stage during June 30 and July 1, 1964, performances. The technical result was not overly enjoyed by Burton. But now, Brownstein and Sally Burton tell me it is up to the quality expected of a filmed production. Yes, it is in black-and-white, but Sally says there is no plan to colorize it --"This is aimed for a sophisticated audience." She was still a school girl when Burton was on the boards with the Bard, but she has always wanted to do right by his "Hamlet." They had been together four years when he died, having met during the filming of "Wagner." "Richard absolutely understood the role of Hamlet," she told me. "Now the technology is affordable to show it. I paid for some (most?) of it"-- the revitalization, that is. Brownstein says the film shows Burton as "the artist in his own right." It runs three hours and 10 minutes with an intermission. The Burton "Hamlet" was directed on stage by John Gielgud, who also voiced the Ghost. And Hume Cronyn was "a superb Polonius," said Variety's Hobe Morrison in his 1964 review. As for Burton, "He has fire, humor, variation, dimension, authority and real star magnetism." He also noted, "Audiences will be expecting Elizabeth Taylor to attend most performances, and that will also help business." P.S.: Burton's "Hamlet" was SRO 17 weeks.

UNAUTHORIZED FRANK SINATRA RECORDINGS were spotted at Tower Records in N.Y. by Sinatra's attorney Bob Finkelstein, who represents "the rights holders to the vocal performances of Frank Sinatra." In a letter to the RIAA, Warner, Sony, Capitol and RCA/BMG Records, Finkelstein said he saw 18 unauthorized Sinatra recordings (list was enclosed). "If a company as reputable as Tower has a catalog of 18 separate unauthorized CDs, we can only imagine the depth of unauthorized activity at less reputable establishments." He urged the companies to control this activity, as RCA, Columbia, Capital and Warner-Reprise are the only companies authorized to sell and distribute Sinatra's records. Retailers are to be forewarned. If it's happening to Sinatra, guess how many other artists are being ripped off ... Bob Wagner was exuberant about the reunion with Tony Thomopoulos, his former ABC network boss who brought "Hart to Hart" to the air -- where it played five years. Now he reteams with Tony on the Family Channel for three two-hour shows. "That's the place to be," Wagner said. He phoned Stefanie Powers at the Mount Kenya Safari Club to tell her the good news. He said it might be a good idea to do one of the shows in Kenya! Wagner credits Jimmy Varres for getting the series surfaced again -- and Rob Lee of the William Morris Agency for putting it together. Bob Papazian joins Jim Hirsch, Varres, Wagner and Powers as producers. The role of Max, played by the late Lionel Stander, will not be replaced -- however, the pooch, Freeway, will return -- Freeway Jr., that is ... The possessions of late director Jean Negulesco will be auctioned by A.N. Abell June 4. Negulesco, an artist in his own right, had a collection that included Toulouse-Lautrec, Henry Moore, etc. Negulesco had a wonderful sense of humor that was evident in his autobiography, titled "Things I Did and Things I Think I Did," which he also illustrated.

TOO BUSY. THAT'S LARRY KING and fiancee Deana Lund. So they'll delay their June 25 wedding at Connie Stevens' house. His sked's loaded with the 10th anni shows, his daughter's college graduation, etc. Lund's doing an infomercial. "And it was getting to be a circus," Deana said. "Maybe we'll just run off quietly and get married somewhere"... It's back to Branson for Wayne Newton, bowing Saturday at his own (named) theater. He and wife Kathleen will be there six months this time out ... Rodney Dangerfield and Andrew Dice Clay worked out at the Comedy Store's Main Room ... CBS senior VP Steve Warner and wife Jennifer welcomed son Elliot Allen April 26 ... Writer-director Tim Metcalfe and publicist Prudence Baird welcomed son Casey Walker April 6. Papa also "delivers" his first directed film, "Killer: A Journal of Murder," to Spelling this month. Jimmy Woods stars, Oliver Stone exec produced ... Eddie Albert celebrated his 86 th birthday at Madame Wu's ... Phyllis Wilbourne, Katharine Hepburn's longtime assistant and friend, died Friday -- services will be private.