Barbara Harris- Page 2

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 5:24pm

I have to agree with Dimitri - after re-reading this post, I pulled out a recording of Ms Harris singing What Did I Have That I Don't Have? and it was glorious - just the way a broadway star should deliver a song - people could learn a lot from that performance.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 8:37pm

Thanks Redhot, I like being "agreed with" even more than WISH likes being "right on"!...:) On a less personal note, since there are only really two shows we have that feature Barbara Harris, I'm as familiar with "The Apple Tree" as I am "On A Clear Day...". One thing I always regretted though is Barbara Harris' "eleven o'clock number" from "The Apple Tree" that was excised during its out of town run. It's called "I'm Lost" and can be heard on Bruce Kimmel's "Lost in Boston II". Since the show was overlong, it unfortunately had to go. But if you have the opportunity try to give it a listen. In the notes it's described as a Helen Morganish torch song with...lol..a soft shoe beat. One can only imagine what Harris could have done with this number.
Updated On: 4/1/05 at 08:37 PM

[alterego]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 9:05pm

So, just what happened or, where is Jill Haworth now? Anyone?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 9:22pm

Loved her in The Apple Tree . Regret I did not see her in On A Clear DAy as she was vocally great in that

It is a shame she disappeared from the stage so quickly

[tpdc]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 9:49pm

I love Barbara Harris. All of her film performances are wonderful. Even her brief appearances like in PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED or the John Cusack movie where she played his mother are terrific. I couldn't see the remake of FREAKY FRIDAY because even though I like Jamie Lee Curtis, I couldn't see anyone else doing what Harris did in the role. I love both THE APPLE TREE and ON A CLEAR DAY recordings. I particularly love her What Makes Me Love Him in APPLE TREE. I like Chenoweth but is she versatile enough to pull off these three roles in next month's Encores APPLE TREE?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 12:43am

Ms. Harris was amazing in "Apple" and "Clear"
Magnetic on the stage
'67 waited fer Her at the Stage Door
in the Rain
She was the Last to leave and She pushed me Aside
maybe with the drugs we have now
and in NASHVILLE!!!!!
so great
but Jill was limited
who worked longer ?

[wildcat]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 2:06am

But that's terrible! Pushed aside in the rain after waiting like Eve Harrington! My illusions are gradually being shattered.

[alterego]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 2:20am

...and still we don't know has happened to Jill Haworth?

Wildcat, 'Private Message'forthcoming...technical difficulties!

[wildcat]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 2:34am

Well, obviously that drug-addled Barbara Harris kicked her to death in some rain-soaked gutter...

[SweetOscar]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 10:01am

That comment and the last one on the previous page, were all but too facetious . Have some more respect for the women.

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 10:17am

I have spoken w/a friend & colleague of Barbara Harris (he was in On A Clear Day with her). Barbara was not on drugs....

Milla

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 10:25am

Barbara Harris is one of those talents that most directors, casting directors, and writers don't seem to know what to do with. She's an eccentric performer, and possesses a rare gift.

I'm glad we have glimpses of her in stage plays and musicals, and a few shining film roles to digest. I agree about her hilarious turn in "Freaky Friday." I also couldn't watch the remake of it, because Barbara had left such an impression on me in the original. Also "A Thousand Clowns" is one of my favorites. She was Oscar-nominated for "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?"

And she started out in the Compass Players (which later became known as Second City). It shows.

[roquat]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 10:38am

Barbara Harris is so vivid on the ON A CLEAR DAY cast recording that you automatically picture her delivering the songs as you listen. I too am disappointed that she wasn't given more chances to display her incomparable, uncategorizable talents. I compare her to Madeleine Kahn, another full-scale funny woman who was painfully shy and reserved on talk shows, etc. These women give so much of themselves onstage that there's nothing left in between.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 10:42am

eydie gorme's recording of "what did i have that i don't have" is one of my favorite things EVER--so over the top--it's heaven! however, nothing beats barbara harris for interpretation. i think he merrick meant julie harris re: sally bowles.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 10:44am

Harris performed "Movie Star" and "Gorgeous" brilliantly on the '67 Tonys. Not the slightest indication of being drunk or slurred speech, so I don't know what wickedfan is talking about. Her acceptance speech is indeed bizarre, exactly as Demtri describes it.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 10:45am

I think Merrick meant Phil Harris.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 6:49pm

Jill Haworth die a few years ago

Saw Harris in The Apple Tree but missed her in On A Clear Day

[cturtle]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 9:06pm

redhot, i agree with your take on barbara in FAMILY PLOT. i just archived that to dvd. hitchcock's funniest!

Posted: 11/8/05 at 9:12pm

I have had the great good fortune to hear a live audio recording of the complete performance of CLEAR DAY with Barbara Harris. The magic of her on stage is unmistakable.
Updated On: 11/8/05 at 09:12 PM

[bschneid76]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 9:14pm

Too bad that Barbara Harris couldn't of had a role in Dirty Rotten Scoundels, since she was in the film.

I love On A Clear Day, i would have loved to see her on B-way. My fave film of hers if probably Family Plot or Freaky Friday.

[Horton]

Posted: 11/9/05 at 5:42pm

I like barbra in Tree and she won the TONY for that

[jimmirae]

Posted: 11/9/05 at 10:39pm

So nice to see posters here that were out and going to the theater back in those days as well. I DO have one question - Since I never got to see ANY production of OACD except for the film, Exactly how is this done onstage? The film worked for me, But I know Mrs. Brolin is not a favorite of everyone. So, How is this piece done? I had to pass on tickets years ago (nat. tour) and as I recall it was Karen Black in the tour as Daisy/Melinda. Thanks All!

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 12:57am

It's nice to know that others out there know and love Barbara Harris, too. I never got to see her perform live, but I treasure my copies of "Apple Tree" (read Alan Alda's new book, "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed" he has some very nice things to say about her) and "Clear Day" (I read John Simon's review of the film version of "Clear Day" and he said that after seeing it he went home and listened to Barbara on the original cast album. He went on to write that Streisand is not only missing the other "a" in her name, but everything from "b" through "z".

[Flahooley]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 10:59am

Documentary film is gaining popularity these days. I would love to see some enterprising filmmaker tract down Barbara Harris and tell us her story. Think of the themes and questions it could cover:

The links between talent and eccentrity.
The links between Self-destructive behavior and success.
How much odd behavior are we willing to accept?
How much conformity has the theatre and film started to impose on itself?

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 11/18/05 at 11:55am

Be sure to rent Robert Altman's "Nashville" to watch Barbara Harris in action. She finally gets to sing at the finale after many mishaps, and just wails the house down! Incredible.