Where Richard Attenborough first went wrong was deciding the show was about kids trying to break into the business.
I believe Kelly Bishop says it best: Bishop says she rememberes watching when a television interviewer asked Attenborough why he didn't use the original cast. "He said, 'Those people are all in their late thirties by now, maybe their forties. This show is about kids breaking into show business.' I almost ruined the television set! I jumped up and stomped around the living room. Breaking into show business? Breaking into show business! He doesn't even know what the show's about!"
That said, I do stand by the film. It's a relatively decent adaptation with several major mis-steps (no pun intended.) And like I said earlier, in early drafts they did leave in "And" and most of the montage, and part of "Music and the Mirror." However, they also were doing them in strange 80s music video mode. During Judy's section of "And" she was going to be chased around like a Pac-Man monster...so we should all be glad we got what we did.
It might even be the best example I can think of for turning brilliant source material into complete dreck. From such theatrical heights to such depressing cinematic lows. I have tried to find a bright spot in the manure.
And the closest I get is friggin' Audrey Landers singing Dance Ten, Looks Three.
That says it all.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Hey, at least the versions you're describing (that I would LOVE to read) seem to have some sort of vision. The movie sets you up not to care about most of the people who aren't going to make the cut. All the cutting away from the introductions, the downright painful scene with Kristine and Al, etc, etc.
And to this day, I still don't understand what "Forget about it - we did it in the graveyard" is supposed to mean.
Check out the horrible, horrible film "Manhattan Merengue," in which Alyson Reed has a featured role as a dance teacher/former Broadway star. Photo stills of her as "movie Cassie" appear twice in the film. Anyway, you'll feel much better about the ACL movie after seeing Merengue.
As for me, I always loved the ACL film. Sure, it's not the Broadway show, but I am grateful to have that Gregg Burge dance on film (Miss him!) and still get caught up when Zach cuts off Cassie at the end of "Let Me Dance for You" Montage." Reed beautifully dances what little choreography she was given. (Tho, my fondest memory of the film was trying to convince my mother that Cassie wasn't performed by Bette Midler.)
To those of you who loved the film: were you introduced to the musical first via film version or stage?
I didn't know anything about the show when I first saw it in 1997. Rented the film shortly after and I just about died from what I saw. Gasped in horror when I saw Bennett's thrilling choreography reduced to shimmying and seductive glances. I wanted Cassie to trip over her own leg during her dance, I wished for the rope to snap and for Mike to be sent crashing into the orch pit, and "Surprise" made me want to die.
I'm glad it inspired many dancers and I respect their approval of the piece but, personally, it left MUCH to be desired.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.