Noah and the Flood

In 1960 CBS commissioned renowned composer Igor Stravinsky to compose a new ballet composition, Noah and the Flood, that would be adapted for a TV special. The ballet told the story of Noah and the Flood with symbolic references to other biblical narratives. The choreography was directed by George Balanchine and the ballet was performed by the New York City Ballet. An addition to the performance the TV special also included an overview of Stravinsky’s career and an exposition of the biblical context. The performance was aired on CBS in 1962 with Breck shampoo as the sponsor, as part of the Breck Golden Showcase series.

Directed by Kirk Browning, Noah and the Flood leans on a strong ensemble — Sebastian Cabot, Elsa Lanchester, Laurence Harvey — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about music titles of 1962.