1995 TV Movie of Bye Bye Birdie- Page 2

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 12:17am

I think the 1963 film is infinitely better than the original Broadway, or any other version of the show. There's just no topping Onna White's incredible musical numbers. The show always comes off like it has iron-poor blood, compared to the '63 film.

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 8:13am

Not to depart too much from the orginal thread, but they also made two movie versions of The Music Man. The newer one stars Kristin Chenowith and Matthew Broderick.

Personally, I like the new version of Birdie and the original Music Man.

Do you think with the revival of WSS there will be a new movie? I can't imagine a new WSS movie, but you never know...

[RetroBoy]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 9:36am

It's okay, but Chynna Phillips and Tyne Daly got on my nerves.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 9:40am

The TV movie is an accurate representation of the stage show. Nothing more, nothing less. It's a very enjoyable watch, but Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams are no Dick and Chita.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 9:57am

Actually, that's not true. It is something more. Granted, I haven't seen it since 1995 (once was more than enough), but there were at least 3 songs that weren't in the original Broadway show.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 10:09am

I loved it, and think it's a thousand times better than the painfully creaky and dull movie.

I do have special circumstances that heightened the experience, though. I got to see this TV version first at its premier on the "big screen" at the Motion Picture Academy on Wilshire (back then). It was a whole red-carpet thing with the cast in attendance. We went to the after-party too, and hung out with Billy Baldwin (Chynna's husband) who was a friend of a friend, while she "worked the room" a bit with the invited press. Great times!

I own the DVD and have watched it a few times since then, and I still think it's miles ahead of the film version, and a joy to watch.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 10:44am

At least the TV movie is faithful to the show. The movie is absolutely dreadful and bears little resemblence to the show at all.

[HeddaG]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 6:34pm

Haven't thought of it in years - I remember at the time turning it off. I wanted to like it - really wanted to like the cast and was excited about the "idea" of it. But couldn't stand the actual result.

[Amneris]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 8:32pm

I just got cast in this show tonight... Deborah Sue...a little crushed I didn't get Ursula..not gonna lie.. I want to rewatch this version of the movie though.

[kyleorlando]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 10:42pm

I just watched this on In Demand.

Maybe it's just me.

Maybe not.

I don't remember Conrad Birdie being a sexual predator. It almost seems as if Kim was even asking for it when singing "Got a Lot of Living To Do".

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 11:08pm

I liked the Ann Margaret version, but nothing compares to the stage show. Unfortunately, I had to buy this copy (with Williams) to research "Gloria", who wasn't in the Ann Margaret version. Or, maybe she was in it but somelines were cut- I can't remember exactly. The point is, I bought it to see Gloria's role....the rest of the movie was terrible. Williams was OK, but Jason Alexander and Chynna Phillips were...SNOOZE.....

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 11:10pm

I remember liking it overall but not liking the girl who played Kim. I thought Kudisch was great and liked Alexander and Williams, even if I was disappointed at a slightly more frumpy Vanessa. Daly was a hoot too.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 12:12am

As a gay man who finds "bears" to be very attractive, I've always thought that Jason Alexander, as he normally is, to be a cutie.

So, when I watched the film, I wondered why they felt the need to slap that silly toupee on his head.

[kyleorlando]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 1:08am

I was actually quite surprised by Jason Alexander's dancing. I know I know... he has a past in musical theatre. But still, I never expected him to be able to jump up three feet on to a plank on a during a song and dance number.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 1:34am

This TV movie is closer to the revival with Tommy Tune than the original production. "A Giant Step" is from the revival. "Let's Settle Down" and "A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore". A Rosie and Mae duet "He's Mine" was in the revival but was removed for the film. I'd have preferred that they have left that one in instead of adding "A Mother Doesn't Matter".