tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post6440232560644404174..comments2024-03-29T03:05:28.466-07:00Comments on DREAMS ARE WHAT LE CINEMA IS FOR...: GYPSY 1962Ken Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-14502936230211858562023-03-13T12:51:02.051-07:002023-03-13T12:51:02.051-07:00Hello, Kip -
I love that you've been absorbe...Hello, Kip - <br />I love that you've been absorbed with Natalie Wood. I often have moments (usually after I've read a memoir or bio) when I watch several films by a particular actor. The most gratifying is when I go off a Glenda Jackson or Julie Christie kick. Most recently, I went on a Parker Posey mini-binge. <br />Your observations on the various requirements, compromises, and curiosities attached to adapting a successful broadway musical to the screen are thought-provoking. <br />With GYPSY, I know I never really appreciated the dubbing of Russell and Wood so much as when they released that special CD soundtrack album with the bonus cuts of the actors and their real voices. Good Lord! <br />And it made me appreciate how effective it is when the dubbing is done sympathetically to the actor's speaking voice (the work with Russell is stellar. I’ve always hated Marni Nixon’s voice in nearly every context. And one of my strongest shock dislikes I can recall is from the first time I saw HELLO, DOLLY! and they had that awful, sugary voice coming out of Marianne McAndrew. The same terrible voice they gave to Liv Ullmann in LOST HORIZON.<br /><br />I don’t know about you, but I’ve come to prefer a good “acting” singing performance in a musical over a “pretty” voice. Lucille Ball in MAME being a huge exception: hers was hard on the ears and not even well-performed from an Elaine Strich acting point.<br />I too, think Karl Malden (not one of my favorites) is good in GYPSY. And your take on the actor playing Tulsa is very interesting. I’m never heard anyone really comment on the role, and I think your points are fascinating. I don’t know that he ever registered very strongly with me, save that I’ve never been able to see him in this and not think of how I first knew Paul Wallace, as Bud’s friend in “Father Knows Best.”<br /><br />And I think you’re spot-on about the influence his early days on Broadway had on him. Last year I read his two memoirs and the fact that he learned his craft at a time when Broadway stars approached every role and every song in their trademark style…independent of the individual requirements of the song or the show…really seem to have inspired his character-driven music. <br />(I never heard him say much on the movie version of GYPSY. It seems he reserves his strongest opinions for the songs he supplied both the words and music for. Not overly fond of contributing lyrics to the music of others, Sondheim strikes me as having been refreshingly detached from those songs and what were done to them in the process of adaptation.)<br />I’ve seen perhaps three stage productions of GYPSY over the years, and one of them was truly outstanding, but Rosalind Russell hasn’t been topped for me, and Natalie Wood makes the most appealingly vulnerable and sexy Louise of all. <br />Thank you for sharing your thoughts again, Kip. Always good to hear from you!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-91077246838407654192023-03-12T01:31:57.314-08:002023-03-12T01:31:57.314-08:00Hi Ken.
On a Natalie Wood kick here. I'm not...Hi Ken.<br /><br />On a Natalie Wood kick here. I'm not sure I can recall another example of the songs in a Broadway musical adaptation being lowered several octaves for the vocally-challenged leading lady, and then have the actress dubbed by somebody else, anyway. A Merman or Patti Lupone-type voice coming out of Rosalind Russell would have sounded ridiculous, so I guess they knew what they were doing.<br />I must say the second half of this movie is vastly more enjoyable than the first half. Karl Malden is great throughout. Nobody's idea of a romantic leading man, he always had interesting chemistry with eccentric leading ladies: Russell here, Vivien Leigh in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and Carroll Baker in the glorious BABY DOLL. I found Paul Wallace as "Tulsa" kind of depressing. This was obviously his big break and he dances beautifully, but he seems to be pushing every line so hard, like he's desperate to steal the show. A better director would have reigned him in a little.<br />Finally, it occurred to me that working on the original stage version of GYPSY and watching Ethel Merman steamroll her way through every song the exact same way (listening to SMALL WORLD is especially exhausting) must have informed Stephen Sondheim's career ever after: he cast actors first, then wrote songs to fit their vocal abilities/limitations. Without Elaine Stritch there would have been no "Ladies Who Lunch", no "Send in the Clowns" without Glynis Johns and no "I'm Still Here" without Yvonne DeCarlo. Even if he hated the movie, I wonder what he thought of Russell's totally in-character performance. Hopefully, he liked it.Kiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10281290996597528859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-2465969446054161412019-12-27T19:39:38.317-08:002019-12-27T19:39:38.317-08:00make that Diane Pace in her only film; sorry Donna...make that Diane Pace in her only film; sorry Donna Butterworth!Joseph Kearnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03360334357262197758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-19299469270947843792019-12-04T02:37:00.884-08:002019-12-04T02:37:00.884-08:00Would love to have seen Peters on stage! And Donna...Would love to have seen Peters on stage! And Donna "The Family Jewels" Butterworth?Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-50126904309253812532019-12-02T22:13:37.805-08:002019-12-02T22:13:37.805-08:00Overlong and unpleasant with a strident, overbeari...Overlong and unpleasant with a strident, overbearing Rosalind Russell playing an overbearing woman is unlikable unlike the wonderful Bernadette Peters who essayed the role on Broadway and was wonderful both overbearing and likable. Donna Butterworth!?<br />Beneath comment. Natalie is good enough.Joseph Kearnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03360334357262197758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-55328596472595041132019-11-11T22:23:04.506-08:002019-11-11T22:23:04.506-08:00I know I already said so on twitter, but thanks so...I know I already said so on twitter, but thanks so much for the kind comments.GYPSY isn't perfect, but it's a perfectly delightful musical with much to recommend it. Not the least being the charm of Natalie Wood, and Rosalind Russell's powerhouse performance. And thanks for showing a bit of "Little Lamb" love here! I catch so much grief for it at home!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-86668514690329927562019-11-02T08:03:36.567-07:002019-11-02T08:03:36.567-07:00Hi Ken, adore your review and I love that Little L...Hi Ken, adore your review and I love that Little Lamb song too, Natalie is fantastic and I adored Rosalind Russell in this film. You described her perfectly with that quote. This film was captivating at all levels and beautifully cast.Realweegiemidget Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07112425802962283173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-38395910472339913772016-01-07T04:50:38.808-08:002016-01-07T04:50:38.808-08:00I didn't know "Gypsy" was on blu-ray...I didn't know "Gypsy" was on blu-ray! I can well imagine it looks spectacular.And thanks for the tip about "Sixpence." I've only seen a small bit of it on YouTube but I liked it. You can never tell from just 4 minutes or so, but it's what inspired me to get the soundtrack. <br />And maybe the overreaching Tommy Steele won't prove a problem, I'm one of the few who actually likes "Finian's Rainbow". <br />Thanks very much, Michael!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-78092272158840509542016-01-06T07:46:56.761-08:002016-01-06T07:46:56.761-08:00Thanks Ken! - BTW do you have the blu-ray of GYPSY...Thanks Ken! - BTW do you have the blu-ray of GYPSY? It's gorgeous! And if you're interested, HALF A SIXPENCE is available on Amazon and the WBShop.com - I'd be curious to see what your take on it would be. It was sadly written off by most critics as just another overproduced late 60s movie musical. It didn't do well in the US at all, but it was a huge hit in the UK. It's really quite lovely, but it does take some stamina to face Tommy Steele's energy (and I mean that in a good way!)<br /><br />Thanks again my friend!! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-37546171521207697402016-01-05T21:09:57.964-08:002016-01-05T21:09:57.964-08:00Hi Michael
Wow! I envy you for having seen "G...Hi Michael<br />Wow! I envy you for having seen "Gypsy" for the first time on the big screen. No wonder it made such a big impression!<br />I tend not to really mind when a favorite film is widely lambasted (any fan of "Xanadu" can't afford to be thin-skinned) but too often a single point of view is taken to be the ONLY point of view. <br />For certain folks, "Gypsy" has a lot to recommend it, not the least being the points you bring up: Russell's performance and Natalie Wood portraying so well the subdued and later self-assured Louise.<br />And yes, the dubbing job on Russell is remarkable. I remember being very surprised when I discovered she wasn't doing all of her own vocals.<br />I have never seen "Half a Sixpence" but I have the soundtrack, which I enjoy. <br />I'm glad you enjoyed this post and I know what it means to read a positive or supportive review of a maligned film. It's gratifying because it feels like a more balanced representation. Glad if my post on "Gypsy" provided that for you. Happy New Year, Michael! Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br /><br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-56970589074788326382016-01-05T11:48:14.060-08:002016-01-05T11:48:14.060-08:00Ken! I’ve been waiting for you to blog about this!...Ken! I’ve been waiting for you to blog about this!<br /><br />I *love love* the film of GYPSY. It truly has been unfairly maligned, mostly because of Roz (Arthur Laurents hated it, and so does Sondheim). <br /><br />I first saw it in NYC in January 1982 at a theater called the Regency, which showed revivals of older films. Until then, I’d seen snippets of it at various times on TV on local stations, and had of course heard about it since I was a little one. I was knocked out of my seat, I was so electrified.<br /><br />Roz is perfect. I agree with everything you mentioned about her powerful performance. She brings out every facet, and makes you even feel sympathetic for her – ironically, one reviewer of the home video back in 1984 said that making Rose a bit sympathetic was a BAD thing. As you said, “determination” alone does not make a fully rounded Rose. The singing was one of the best dub jobs I’ve ever heard.<br /><br />Natalie and Karl were also perfect. How well did Miss Wood show two completely different sides of Louise – and how beautiful she was!<br /><br />Thank you for writing this piece. I enjoy it so much when lambasted movies that I love get praise. Other film versions of stage musicals that I feel are treated harshly are HALF A SIXPENCE and HELLO, DOLLY! – they are both beautiful films that deserve more recognition (but I know that’s another thread!) <br /><br />Happy New Year, God bless! <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-31402210951170323562016-01-04T19:39:08.950-08:002016-01-04T19:39:08.950-08:00Hi George
Debbie Reynolds (who showed her hard sid...Hi George<br />Debbie Reynolds (who showed her hard side to great effect in "What's The Matter With Helen?") is a fascinating choice for Mama Rose! I think she would great.<br /><br />I too really got a lot out of the BBC "Gypsy"...it's just so refreshing to see someone play Rose so unsympathetically. I know an actor has to find the human within the monster, but so many Roses I've seen appear to be trying to get the audience to like them.<br />A very lively production that gave a very familiar show a great deal of zest.<br />Thanks for weighing in on the "latest" version!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-86634899072607934242016-01-04T10:12:28.288-08:002016-01-04T10:12:28.288-08:00One can ruminate for hours on GYPSY, and Ms. Staun...One can ruminate for hours on GYPSY, and Ms. Staunton has had me ruminating. The director's use of the text in Staunton's production was almost surgical and things in the text that I had never noticed before were identified and used effectively. Even in the first scene with Uncle Jocko, Rose interacts with each daughter in different ways. She's harsh to Louise in the kinds of things she says to her in front of a crowd of people, but coddles June. Staunton didn't shy from it. She's focused on June and what she can get from June. Louise is often more of an annoyance than a child loved and treasured. And that's the crux of the play, isn't it? It continues right through to the last moment. And Lara Pulver's Louise didn't abandon her character at the final moment. She walked off the stage first and walked out alone, leaving her mother to follow. So much better than having them giggle like best girlfriends, as if the previous two decades had not happened at all. <br /><br />This director highlighted something crucially important that I had never grasped. In the dressing room scene, Louise says, "Mama, you have got to let go of me!" The director allowed Rose to be a real C**T in that scene, which allowed Louise to get very angry and really tell her mother off, instead of just politely hold ground as many Louises seem to do. And then, in Rose's Turn, we get... "Mama's letting go... Mama's gotta go... Mama's got to let go." There it was, all this time. Sondheim and Laurents built it and Staunton really made something of it, and it was clearly in response to the fight she had just had with her daughter. I've never seen it capitalized on so effectively. Never. And I once got to see Joyce Dewitt in the role!<br /><br />One more thought. I always thought Debbie Reynolds would have been a terrific Rose, if she could be persuaded to act more and perform less. She had all the necessary hardness and the propensity to use charm to advance her cause. I can't imagine Carrie Fisher would disagree.George W. Tushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13050905945846094987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-2071048983436172262016-01-03T18:27:39.125-08:002016-01-03T18:27:39.125-08:00Hi Rick
I have to agree with you about the choice ...Hi Rick<br />I have to agree with you about the choice of LeRoy as director. He really doesn't bring more than competence to the table. My memory is terrible these days, but there was some mention in that Roz Russell bio as to why he was the choice. I believe it had more to do with some kind of professional connection to Russell and her husband than his being particularity right for the job.<br /><br />And your observation regarding FB, IMDB, etc. is one of the main reasons their comment sections have felt so valueless to me. Everyone is so invested in defending points of view as either right or wrong; the concept of "different" or personal preference means nothing to the contentious.<br /><br />I really enjoyed the Imelda Staunton version a great deal. Hope you get a chance to catch it sometime.<br /><br />And no, I don't know that bit about Cher. Or rather, I should say I didn't remember it, I watched all those old variety shows religiously. And I can only imagine what Gypsy Rose Lee would thing of Cher's revealing outfits (she certainly knew how to work that runway each week). <br />Thanks for the update, Rick. Interesting to know that the film didn't seem particularly weak to you after having not seen it since you were a kid.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-45707729069991152052016-01-03T12:14:55.638-08:002016-01-03T12:14:55.638-08:00Ken, just watched the '62 Gypsy and have to sa...Ken, just watched the '62 Gypsy and have to say it's much better than the reputation that hangs over it. <br /><br />The biggest debit for the film version, I think, is the director--Mervyn LeRoy. The movie's style is solid but kinda stodgy, and looking at LeRoy's credits is not exactly scintillating. Wasn't Stanley Donen or Vincente Minnelli available? <br /><br />On other blogs, FB, IMDB, and YouTube, people love to argue about who was a better/or should have played Mama Rose, Maggie the Cat, or Mame, etc. I always wonder why one or the other just can't be different, not better or worse? <br /><br />Just watched some YouTube clips of Imelda Staunton, a most ferocious Mama Rose!<br /><br />Bit of Gypsy trivia. Do you remember that the first song that Cher sang on her solo variety show was "Let Me Entertain You?" She later admitted that her legs were shaking so bad, she had to hold her knees together. That said, Cher still took off more than Gypsy Rose Lee ever did!http://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/https://www.blogger.com/profile/14243899548141583461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-87462670381189693992016-01-01T18:17:40.872-08:002016-01-01T18:17:40.872-08:00Wow! Watched the BBC "Gypsy" on New Year...Wow! Watched the BBC "Gypsy" on New Year's Eve, and today it's gone! Perfect timing.<br />What an outstanding production. I agree with you, George about the power of Stauton’s performance. Probably one the best staged and performed "If Mama Was Married" I've seen. And although no one can touch Natalie Wood's "Little Lamb", yes Gregory, it was so beautifully and sensitively performed. I just loved this production, it made it all feel so fresh. A very powerful Herbie for a change. His scenes with Rose were so touching. If it comes out on DVD I'd recommend it as a must-see.<br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-84052257771371749972015-12-30T13:03:58.038-08:002015-12-30T13:03:58.038-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Gregoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04072841840657518591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-25934844328714923372015-12-30T11:18:17.037-08:002015-12-30T11:18:17.037-08:00I watched Staunton's production. She's ma...I watched Staunton's production. She's magnificent. She started building her Rose with "For ME. For ME. For ME. For ME. For ME. FORRRRRR MEEEEEEE. And then worked backward to create the awful person who is so blindly narcissistic that she abuses and neglects everyone she encounters, even her own children. Which is, after all, what Laurents wrote. Brava, Ms. Staunton! George W. Tushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13050905945846094987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-29861398511963903462015-12-30T07:10:30.744-08:002015-12-30T07:10:30.744-08:00Whoa! What's going on? We're up to our hip...Whoa! What's going on? We're up to our hips in Gypsys!<br />Thanks for passing this on!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-50528534806399171682015-12-30T06:13:44.076-08:002015-12-30T06:13:44.076-08:00Holy Moley!
And here's Tyne Daly: https://ww...Holy Moley!<br /><br />And here's Tyne Daly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtmZ-QHxiEc George W. Tushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13050905945846094987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-36617576101550687852015-12-30T06:05:53.801-08:002015-12-30T06:05:53.801-08:00Let's hear it for someone liking the Midler ve...Let's hear it for someone liking the Midler version! The first I think. I largely credit Midler with making me appreciate Russell more.<br />And you got to see Patti Lupone as well! As I think I've said, my partner and I have seen this show more often than any, but never with a "name" Mama Rose.<br /><br />And as a fan of "You Gotta get a Gimmick" you'd appreciate that my partner designed the costumes for a production of Gypsy here in LA, and when the three strippers came on, the show almost stopped for the applause given the costumes. Most people rarely see productions where the costumes deviate significantly from the original designs, but in this instance he designed Miss Electra an electric outfit that had a flashing electronic RKO tower (complete with working lightening bolts and lit buildings) for a headdress. Mazeppa and Tessie were great as well. my favorite costumes EVER for this show.<br /><br />I laughed at your musings on Streisand taking up the role, but you do bring up a good point about the middle aged Rose thing. I've only seen it performed by someone who'd be the right age for a grown set of daughters, not kids.<br /><br />By the way, thank you so much for the links to the What's My Line? episodes. I've never seen them but I'll take a look after I get a gander at the PBS production you spoke about. if you don't already have it, here's the YouTube link for the complete show. I hope it doesn't get taken down too soon!<br /> <br />https://youtu.be/-V1_gBo78Uw<br /><br />Again, thanks very much, Joel. Your contributions are always so informative and personal. Much obliged!<br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-80116053462096500382015-12-30T05:43:37.581-08:002015-12-30T05:43:37.581-08:00Hi Joel
Wonderful thoughts presented on this movie...Hi Joel<br />Wonderful thoughts presented on this movie. So many here came across the film in similar ways (TV)- it's nice that young people nowadays can see all of these films (should they care to) in such pristine condition, letterboxed and no commercials. <br /><br />Love the story about Garland being late for a meeting held at her own home!<br />I too think that Garland's niceness always shines through in her film roles. One of the reasons it has always intrigued me to imagine what kind of Helen Lawson she would have made. it really would have been her first "meanie" role.<br /><br />I think I spent so many years thinking that Rosalind Russell was sub-par simply because I thought it was a given, nowadays I can watch "Gypsy" without feeling I am being deprived of anything. Russell's Rose feels very strong for me. Like different actors playing King Lear, I can now appreciate that each interpretation of Mama Rose can be different without necessarily being "better" than another. there are so many out now (the BBC one is now on YouTube), there's probably a Rose to fit every taste!<br />And of course, we are lucky to have Natalie Wood as Gypsy. She really is effective in a role that rarely draws much <br />I enjoyed reading your comments very much, Joel. I know visitors to the site must feel the same. Thanks!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-89273793364746916462015-12-28T16:52:56.691-08:002015-12-28T16:52:56.691-08:00I really like Karl Malden’s Herbie, he plays him w...I really like Karl Malden’s Herbie, he plays him with terrific sensitivity, but knowing that Jack Klugman played him on stage I can picture him doing an equally marvelous job with the role.<br /><br />So much sensational music but the highlight of the film for me is always You Gotta Have a Gimmick. It’s specifically these three performers who make so much out of the number, in all the other productions I’ve seen it never has the same sock. I love all the other numbers but as with your fondness for Little Lamb I’ve always had a soft spot for Small World since it provides a quieter moment for the larger than life Mama Rose. <br /><br />I really liked the Bette Midler TV version from years ago, she and Patti Lupone are the only actresses I’ve seen perform the role, and I’ve only seen snippets of Lupone on TV that had the vocal chops to sing the material with anything approaching Merman’s ability. I thought Bette did well in the part even if she was occasionally broad, she sang the hell out of Everything’s Coming Up Roses though, and she was close to the proper age for it. I’ve always found it odd that Mama Rose is inevitably played by a woman who has hit at least the 50 mark, probably because of Merman’s precedent, but while it makes sense for the latter part of the film they seem like they started having children awfully late to be believable as the mother of youngsters at the beginning. I don’t think her version is going to ever happen but the thought of the now over 70 Barbra Streisand trying to pull off that trick now is sad. There’s not enough soft focus and Vaseline in the world to make it happen!! And if they use CGI how true can the performance really be? She was actually offered a stage revival of it in the 70’s but since she hated the repetition of the stage she turned it down which is a shame. She would have been the perfect age for it then and heaven knows she would have handled the score beautifully. <br /><br />I have however heard nothing but the most lavish praise for the recent London production with Imelda Staunton, love her and she’s supposed to be riveting-not just nailing the acting but the songs as well. Sadly the producers decided not to bring it to the States but it purportedly was filmed and will be showing on PBS sometime next year. I’m waiting with bated breath!<br /><br />Be that as it may and despite its being reviled this Russell/Wood high quality production from the last days when the studios still knew how to effortlessly manufacture this type of musical is the gold standard as far as I’m concerned.<br /><br />Have you ever seen the two sisters, Gypsy and June Havoc that is, appearances on What’s My Line? A fascinating study in contrasts and similarities. June’s is actually one of the most enjoyable Mystery Guest segments I’ve ever seen, ironically one of the other bests is Rosalind Russell’s when Dorothy Kilgallen thought she was a man! Considering how they are presented in the play and film June comes across as relaxed and natural while Gypsy, fun and funny though she may be seems more regal and grand. Another cool thing which is mentioned in Gypsy’s appearance is that it took place only four days after the original production debuted on Broadway and they all wish her a long run! <br /><br />Here’s the links just in case you haven’t seen them. Each is the whole episode but of course you can jump right to them.<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyAcgQF5O-I<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31veZyzwYsw<br />joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-34048610727411202222015-12-28T16:51:40.165-08:002015-12-28T16:51:40.165-08:00Hi Ken,
Like you I fell hard for this film before...Hi Ken,<br /><br />Like you I fell hard for this film before I knew I wasn’t supposed to and by then it was too late! I also saw it on TV when I was just a young’un, in color but in the dreaded Pan & Scan, still it quickly became a favorite and I would watch it whenever I happened to run across it. Of course now I own the deluxe version with the excised numbers in the extras.<br /><br />As you pointed out it’s a movie with an odd trade-off. I adore every loud clarion trumpet inch of The Merm, Call Me Madam can be a bit much but I’m crazy for every overblown, garish second of There’s No Business Like Show Business, it’s a pity that her knockout stage performance wasn't captured on film and her vocal renditions are inimitable but I’ll admit she was never the most subtle of actresses able to convey delicate emotions. Therein lays the trade-off. Rosalind Russell may not have been an accomplished singer but she’s a far superior actress infusing the overbearing Mama Rose with emotional resonance. While she will never be a sympathetic character Roz is able to provide some insight and offers a little understanding into her mad drive. <br /><br />I do love Rosalind Russell and think that of all the possible actresses at the time she was the absolutely right choice when they decided not to go with Merman. I’ve read that the producers wanted Judy Garland, and were promised her when signing the rights over, but that an initial meeting with her went badly when she showed up three hours late. The kicker to that was that the meeting was at her house!! I could see Judy handling the songs brilliantly but I’m not so sure about her suitability for the role. No matter what she did on screen there was just something about her persona that read nice. Even in her final film “I Could Go On Singing” where many of the things she did were selfish and self-serving because of that innate vulnerability you couldn’t hold it against her. That’s a great asset but one that would work against a characterization of Mama Rose, you might understand and even sympathize at times with what Rose does but you don’t really like her.<br /><br />Roz on the other hand while still being likable was a tough nut and was unafraid of appearing so and was expert at both comedy and drama. I’ve seen her “Mourning Becomes Electra” which doesn’t thrill me. I think part of that has to do with the fact that I saw the PBS version with Roberta Maxwell and Joan Hackett first, which was a complete rendering of the play, and there’s just so much missing from the 40’s version. Plus the fact that Katina Paxinou is awful as Christine, they offered it to Garbo who at 42 thought it would be ridiculous to play 39 year old Rosalind’s mother. I’ve also seen “The Guilt of Janet Ames” which is so much psychobabble but adore “The Velvet Touch”. Claire Trevor, Sydney Greenstreet and Roz all slay in that one! Anyway she has the requisite balance of silk and sandpaper to make Mama Rose work.<br /><br />There’s no question the real Gypsy Rose Lee was more calculating and tough than she is presented here but that's an author's prerogative. I’m glad you mentioned how on stage and in other versions Louise seems a recessive character, necessary in the beginning but she should pop once she become Gypsy. Of the productions I’ve seen the actresses playing her have done good work but none have dominated and claimed the spotlight away from Mama Rose except Natalie Wood. She makes her beautiful, vulnerable and shimmering with star quality and while the character is really secondary until the great showdown scene once she takes over the role your eye is drawn to her. <br />joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-74689175870907630882015-12-28T10:25:37.234-08:002015-12-28T10:25:37.234-08:00Ken: I think you are remembering "Girl Rush&q...Ken: I think you are remembering "Girl Rush" correctly. The film opens with Russell's character as a child tagging along with her gambler father through carnivals and side shows. And I think the first musical number is a carnival barker singing "Take a Chance." (Even though I generally like the composers who wrote the score--Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane of "Meet Me in St. Louis" and other films and stage shows--the songs in "Girl Rush" generally don't get any better than the opener.)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02904043774881615645noreply@blogger.com