A Tale of Two Dollys- Page 2

[NoName3]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 6:49pm

Dollypop, or anyone, would you happen to know why the commercial paperback version of the script, published in the early 1970's, has substantially different dialog than what's in the Tams Witmark sides? (Does Tams Witmark still use sides?) I assume the Tams Witmark version is the original, since it's much closer to Thornton Wilder (and much better). Every time I've seen Dolly over the years, both Equity and non-Equity, it's always been the Tams Witmark script.

I know that sometimes bits of business were added or adjusted for the ladies who played Dolly but I've never figured out those script differences or where or if that paperback version of the script was ever used. It really puzzled me all those years ago and nobody I've ever asked in person or on various Usenet groups/web forums since has known anything about it. I've read that David Merrick negotiated with Mae West at one point to play Dolly on Broadway but discussions ended when she insisted on rewriting her dialog and Merrick wouldn't hear of it.

Updated On: 9/1/13 at 06:49 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 10:52pm

I don't know why the dialogue is different. Sorry.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 10:59pm

"But Barbra didn't get much support from the cast, especially Walter Matthau. And I LOVE Walter Matthau. But not this time."

Walter Matthau HATED that Streisand Woman and while they were filming a scene in the feedshop he told her that she has "all the talent of a butterfly's fart"

That and the supposed dalliances that Gene Kelly was having with various chorus boys, led to the lack of chemistry between the leads.;

In my estimation it is one of the most disgusting films ever made.

[NoName3]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 11:21pm

Thanks anyway, Dollypop. You are the expert.

[jemjeb2]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 11:32pm

Streep played Cornelious in the strange production that starred Jeremy Irons in the title role.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 12:29am

I wonder how the proposed Broadway revival will handle the script. Whoever's in it, I'll be there.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 1:48am

I've never heard that Kelly "dallied" with any chorus boys and even if he did. how would that affect the chemistry between Babs and Wally?

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 9:39am

Dollypop, I've seen a lost worse films than this one.

As much as Carol Channing is forever my Dolly, for my daughter and a lot of the younger generation, Barbra is theirs. My daughter loves the film. She thinks Barbra is beautiful, funny and does a great job with the songs. She was thrilled when Dolly was featured in Wall-E.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 2:26pm

Arthur Laurents was pretty friendly with That Streisand Woman (well, it was an on-again/off-again relationship) and in one of his books he details that THE STAR was complaining that Gene Kelly was paying more attention to the chorus boys than he was to his duties as a director. She felt Kelly could have made her scenes with Matthau work if he gave them the time they needed.

Just for the record: I refuse to let my grandchildren see that sacrilegious crap that 20th Century Fox released. The television gets unplugged whenever I learn it's on. Seriously, it's the most dreadful movie ever made--even "Showgirls" had more entertainment value.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 3:41pm

Arthur Laurents was a lying old Queen. And paying attention to dancers as a choreographer is hardly dallying (unless you are Fosse).
Of course Babs wanted More attention, she always does.
I love her but her insecurities are infamous.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 4:01pm

He should have paid more attention to the film he was making. Really, Mrs Molloy's hat shop looks like a Viennese pastry salon and the 14th Street parade needs are some helium filled balloons to make it look like the Macy's Thanksgiving extravaganza!

I'll take your word about Laurents, though.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 7:43pm

Kelly was a strange choice to begin with. He had very little history as a film director to be trusted with one of the biggest Stage hits and Rising Divas of it's time.
Too bad Vincent Minnelli wasn't available.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 7:53pm

Agree. Not sure what Kelly brought to the table. Just sure what he didn't bring.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 8:08pm

Imagine what the film would have been like if Gower Champion was in charge? Aside from the casting mistakes, the film forgets that the story is a FARCE. By having Dolly manipulate the other characters to meet at the Harmonia Gardens, one of the key elements of farce (happenstance) is lost. Then there's the movie's pacing, which is akin to that of "Schindler's List".

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 8:09pm

Dollypop, to paraphrase, you have your opinion, I have mine.