"julie harris and christopher plummer "

Al Hirschfeld’s final drawing of Julie Harris appeared in conjunction with Ben Brantley’s article, “When These Two Chat, an Era Is Speaking.” During the run of The Gin Game, and the run of Barrymore, which starred Christopher Plummer, The New York Times brought both actors together in a hotel suite overlooking Central Park to reminisce about their work together and about theater in general.

Brantley wrote, “In an era of mumbling naturalism, they continue to ply their craft with the heroic presence and ringing enunciation that they believe the theater demands. Ms. Harris has said that there should always be ‘glory’ in the theater; Mr. Plummer, that he has spent much of his life ‘trying to pretend the ordinary doesn't exist.’ And after a half century apiece of performing in it, they both still think of the theater as a home, a religion and the place where they are most comfortable.”

This work was their last Hirschfeld drawings. Julie Harris had been drawn 27 times over 48 years all but two in the theater; Plummer was drawn nineteen times over 42 years, all but one in theatrical productions.