I am so disappointed that I caught the end of this special. They showed a scene from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof- Natalie was mesmorizing in that role. It looked like it was a filmed TV special. I would love to see that production in full- Olivier, Robert Wagner as Brick, Maureen Stapleton. I'll never forget when I learned of her death when I was at college- I was so sad. The special looked like it was taped in the 80's based on Liz Taylor's clothes and hair. Roddy McDowell was also in it. I'm sure they'll repeat it but you never know when it's on the local PBS stations. mom
I loved Natalie, not because she was a good actress (she was just okay) but there was something about her that just made you want to hang out. That Cat production was really awful. Olivier, especially.
I only saw a little clip of the Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with just Natalie and Robert. I liked the scene I saw but that's all they showed. That's a shame that it was an awful production. From the commentaries, I thought it would have been good. Oh well, thanks for your insight.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/1/07
I have this special on VHS. It was made in '84 or '85. It was really well done. The opening is a montage of Natalie in all her famous film roles set to the song "You're Gonna Hear From Me" from INSIDE DAISY CLOVER.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
When I was a young gay, I used to have a shrine to her in my bedroom.
I love the recording booth scene in Daisy.
"The circus is a wacky world - how I love it!"
Updated On: 11/1/07 at 11:52 PM
I agree that the television production with RJ and Natalie was awful. But then, I find every production, other than the theatrical film, awful. There's just no topping that cast! Everyone else just pales, by comparison.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/1/07
The cast for the film may have been impeccable but the liberties they took with Tennessee Williams' original work is laughable. If you want to see CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF the way it was *meant* to be seen a first rate theatrical production trumps the whitewashed film version any day of the week.
I must say though that Liz made a fetching Maggie.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
JohnBoy liked it because they cut all the gay stuff.
But I don't really care about that. In the case of the movie, the cast's the thing, not the play. I've seen the show, a few times, and I'm always left wishing I were seeing the film's cast.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/1/07
^^ Are you for real? Without a play there would be no cast! Liking the film's cast is one thing but the Richard Brooks/MGM version of CAT is *not* definitive....AT ALL.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/1/07
Tennessee Williams himself was quoted as saying:
"This movie will set the industry back 50 years. Go home!"
But I digress, back to the BEAUTIFUL MISS WOOD....
Updated On: 11/2/07 at 11:38 AM
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