Pearl Bailey's Hello Dolly- Page 2

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 1:55pm

Perhaps we're out-of-sequence here. It was JohnBoy who made statements he hasn't substantiated.

I agree with DAME's comments about THE WIZ movie.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 2:14pm

This thread is about Pearl Bailey, you nitwits.

Go threadjack your own threads.

[landryjames2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 2:21pm

I have an older friend who saw both Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey (and of course, the film)--and said that Pearl Bailey was by far the quintessential Dolly and none have come close.

About the movie version--was it really THAT bad? The Wiz bad? I don't think so. More than likely, a large percentage of people seeing the movie had no idea Streisand was "too young" to play the role. That is everyone's main gripe, correct? Although not an inspired performance, Streisand's vocals are stupendous in the film, and she does have some really funny moments.

The movie is entertaining and flashy and big--and I think that if one did not know the history behind the Broadway show or behind the scenes turmoil--then the movie stands fine on its own.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 2:48pm

Carol Channing, herself, admired Pearl's Dolly. She told me so herself.
Broadway's Living Doll

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 2:50pm

It was JohnBoy who made statements he hasn't substantiated.

What the hell are you talking about? Substantiate what? My opinion about the production design and choreography in the film Hello, Dolly!? That may be the most ridiculous thing you've said, yet! Whoever heard of someone substantiating their opinion? It's my opinion that the film version of Hello, Dolly! has the greatest production values and some of the finest choreography of any motion picture ever made. How many different ways must I say it? By your way of thinking, you need to substantiate your comment about The Wiz!

Updated On: 8/6/07 at 02:50 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 2:53pm

Please give an instance where the choreography was impressive.

I want specifics.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 2:57pm

Well, I was impressed with Michael Kidd's choregrapher in every single number. Pick one. I'm not saying you should be impressed. I was talking about my feeling about it, not yours. I love "Dancing". I love it. Every single step in it.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 2:58pm

How did they get through Sunday Clothes and Bailey ISN'T there?

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 2:59pm

Oh, and, less dancing, but no less choreographed, "Before the Parade Passess By. It's incredible!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:04pm

Another unsubstantiated statement: What makes the number "incredible"?

[DAME]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:14pm

Johnboy; I am not arguing your opinion. I am glad you enjoyed the film. I happen to own my own copy of it too.

But this Dolly lost a lot of money for the studio. It almost bankrupt 20th century Fox. The Wiz was also a HUGE failure. And for those people that loved the original Hello Dolly show..things turned out to be a huge disappointment with the film. Even those involved ( from Streisand to kelly) all have stated that the film was a let down.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:36pm

Excuse me, but was Pearl Bailey in this film version of Hello Dolly?

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:47pm

I didn't really enjoy the film. I think it's horribly cast and not well directed. All I was talking about was it's production design and choreography. Both of which, I greatly appreciate, as my very first post on the subject states.

Gene Kelly and Barbra Streisand are the two main reasons it was a let down. That they stated it was a let down doesn't absolve their guilt in making it so. By the way, HD was the 5th highest grossing film of 1969. The problem was that it cost way too much money to produce. But, as far as ticket sales go, it was a hit.

And, PalJoey, I wish Pearl Bailey had been in the film version of it.
Updated On: 8/6/07 at 03:47 PM

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:50pm

Oh, and it wasn't simply 'Dolly' that almost bankrupted Fox, it was the combination of Dr. Doolittle, Star!, Myra Breckinridge and Hello, Dolly! that did it.
Updated On: 8/6/07 at 03:50 PM

[D2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:54pm

The first time I ever saw HELLO, DOLLY! on stage was Pearl Bailey's 1975 revival. She was so good I stole my mother's credit card and bought a ticket for another performance. It was worth the trouble I got into.

(I'm trying, PJ.)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:56pm

Was Pearl Bailey in Dr. F*CKing Doolittle?

Was Pearl Bailey in Star F*CKing Star?

Was Pearl Bailey in Myra F*CKing Breckinridge?

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:58pm

I wish she had been.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:59pm

That clip was wonderful and to think the Tony Awards alotted 6 minutes to this particular show that wasn't even in the running that year.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 4:04pm

That was absolutley wonderful. Thanks for the clip, Joey.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 4:20pm

At a special performance of the musical, Hello Dolly! in Washington D. C., Pearl Bailey waved to President Lyndon Johnson in the audience, announced, “I didn’t know this child was going to show up,” and then playfully reduced the leader of the Free World to chorus boy, coaxing him to the stage for a reprise of the show’s title song.

It wasn't about holding notes for 45 seconds or riffing up and down the scale, or how high you could belt. It was about commanding the stage and holding an audience in the palm of your hand. That's what she did. Nobody like her today. Updated On: 8/6/07 at 04:20 PM

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 4:37pm

Although she was born in Newport News, VA, she moved to Washington, D.C., at a very early age. By the time she was 10, she was living in Philadelphia, which she called "home", until her death. The city has a marker where she used to live. In fact, the theater where she won her first talent competition was the Pearl Theater, in Philadelphia. The African American Museum in Philadelphia used to have a wonderful Pearl Bailey exhibit, with lots of her memorabilia. I would imagine it's still there.

Posted: 8/6/07 at 4:51pm

i remember those commercials with Pearl Bailey talkin about her "lumpitty bumpitty" cookies....

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 5:40pm

If you go to www.bluegobo.com you can see Pearl Bailey's "Before the Parade Passes By" from the Ed Sullivan Show.

She is excellent in the song and in the speach to Ephraim and she's incredible when you compare her to Ginger Rodgers, whose performance you can also see on bluegobo.com.

My only complaint with the "Bye, Bye, Dearie" clip is that the camera person seems to be sitting in the cheap seats!

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 6:51pm

Pearly Mae was supposed to be a holy terror to work with during her Dolly stint. Even Merrick schuttled the idea (and $$$) of a new tour with Bailey.

That being said.. the ol'gal sure could deliver the goods!

[Jon]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 7:20pm

My favorite moment from The Pearl Bailey cast recording is during "So Long Dearie":

"...AND ON THOSE COLD AND LONELY NIGHTS, HORACE...
...YOU CAN SNUGGLE UP TO YOUR OLE' CASH REGISTER..
...IT'S A LITTLE LUMPY - BUT IT RINGS!"

There's no white woman who can deliver those lines like that!