Audrey Landers -A Chorus LIne- Page 3

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 8/27/10 at 8:11pm

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.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/27/10 at 8:56pm

This movie sucks. Pure and simple.

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.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/27/10 at 9:25pm

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.

[Nick2]

Posted: 8/27/10 at 9:39pm

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.)

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 8/27/10 at 11:28pm

Didn't Alyson Reed actually play Cassie on the road at one point?

ETA: Well yes, I did just answer my own question:
http://www.ovrtur.com/content/production.php?id=2886506 - International Tour
http://www.ovrtur.com/content/biography.php?id=10111728 - Alyson's page.

Updated On: 8/27/10 at 11:28 PM

[My Oh My]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 2:45am

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.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 3:46am

Slightly off-topic, but I finally got around to watching Every Little Step tonight and noticed something interesting during the credits.



Anybody else notice anything wrong here? Have I been wrong all these years in thinking the song was called "The Music AND the Mirror"?

I apologize if this is something that has already been discussed.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 3:49am

That's a new one on me, AEA. Good catch.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 10:12am

Wow, I didn't notice that when I saw the film.

I finished watching "A Chorus Line" yesterday and I think I have to agree with Best12.

Updated On: 8/28/10 at 10:12 AM

[artwhisperer]

Posted: 6/21/12 at 8:27am

Audrey tells the story of her audition in this interview. She's really a lovely woman.
Interview with Audrey Landers

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/21/12 at 9:50am

Dear Best12Bars

I completely agree. As a matter of fact I posted this same thought just now on ANOTHER Audrey Landers thread I saw before this one...

Slow news day?