South Pacific 2008 revival- Page 2

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/5/13 at 3:09pm

Interesting you must have a version that I have yet to see--I just checked the DVD of my copy, there is absolutely zero audience applause or response.

[Holster2]

Posted: 7/5/13 at 3:10pm

That was a terrific show. That theater itself is wonderful, though. The space itself has this power of enhancing whatever show is in it.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 7/6/13 at 7:05am

Ericmontreal22, there are fuzzy parts of the show all over youtube with laughter, applause, even paper rustling. My copy is much clearer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGdp4nVItqM&list=PL42439FC4B5B72AE6

[gossipguy215]

Posted: 7/6/13 at 4:15pm

Here's what I found out about the video of the Original London Production:

"Urban legend (which may be true in this case) has it that this filming was completely forgotten about until someone discovered the original reels in an office at the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization.

This filming also circulates in a version in which an attempt has been made to improve the visual quality by trying to simulate closeups whenever possible, by putting it in letterbox format, and by inserting footage of Mary Martin performing "Wonderful Guy" from the General Foods special saluting Rodgers and Hammerstein while retaining the soundtrack from the London filming. Applause has also been added at certain points. There are synchronization issues in parts of this version.

At the beginning of the film, during the overture, the following text appears: "This positive print of the play 'South Pacific" is the property of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein 2nd for library purposes only and that the said print, or any part thereof, shall not be sold, assigned or transferred, by operation of law or otherwise, to any others whomsoever and shall not be distributed, exhibited or licensed for distribution or exhibition, either publicly or privately, through or by any medium, method or process whatsoever, now or hereafter known or devised, and regardless of whether or not any fee or consideration will be charged in connection therewith."

This was filmed at a special performance with no audience on May 6, 1952. There are few real closeups.

As far as we know, this is the only time that Rodgers and Hammerstein filmed a major stage production of one of their shows. The desire to have this particular staging preserved may have been because of a conflict that occurred between Rodgers and Joshus Logan when Logan restaged some of the show for the national tour. Rodgers protested the changes, insisting that what had worked originally should be maintained. Logan felt it necessary to alter the original staging to some degree to suit the different personalities of the different actors in the tour cast. Rodgers relented and allowed the restaging for the tour.

When it came time for the London production, Jerome Whyte (whom Rodgers trusted) was sent over to recreate the original Broadway staging, although Logan did arrive near the end of rehearsals. Somewhat different accounts of what happened when Logan arrived appear in books by Logan and Rodgers, but it does seem that Logan did not try to restage anything."

[allofmylife]

Posted: 7/7/13 at 2:31pm

That makes great sense. I tried to sit through the entire thing again last night (difficult to do after the novelty wears off) and then watch the Lincoln Center version.

You're right about the applause. It is canned clapping.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/7/13 at 2:45pm

Sorry for being argumentative--it's great to have that cleared up. I will say I found it exciting to watch just to see the original staging--but yes, the Lincoln Center one is a better filming, obviously.

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 9:55am

Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this? Preferably HD?

Updated On: 9/14/15 at 09:55 AM

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 8:21pm

It might have been the best night I ever spent in a theater. Ben Brantley wrote

I know we're not supposed to expect perfection in this imperfect world, but I'm darned if I can find one serious flaw in this production....

Notice, by the way, how Mr. Sher implicitly underscores the theme of racism by quietly having the few African-American sailors in the company keep apart from the others.

For me the score is the ultimate. I try in vain to think of another "show tune" as complex and evocative as "Bali Ha'i". By the same composer who wrote "The Lady is a Tramp."

[Jshan05]

Posted: 9/15/15 at 3:46pm

"Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this? Preferably HD?"

I second this request! Someone inboxed me one a WHILE back, but the link didn't end up working. Would absolutely love a link to watch it as I missed the initial broadcast!