  in 1956, Laurence Oliviers 1955 film version of Shakespeares  "Richard III" had its U.S. premiere in New York City and its  television premiere on NBC on the same day. Like "The Pirates of  Penzance", "Richard III" was also a box office flop, but unlike the  former film, "Richard III" won universal acclaim from the critics,  became a film classic, and was not boycotted during its theatrical  run.