BROADWAY'S LOST TREASURES DVD

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 9:39am

Is there already a thread on this? I can't find it, and really want to discuss it. I got my copy yesterday, watched it last night, and have comments. If any of you know where the thread is (if there is one), bring it to the top.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 12:13pm

Wasn't there talk of A Chorus Line being included as a bonus? Cuz I don't see it listed on Playbill.com. Is it there? That's a deal breaker for me whether or not I order it.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 12:19pm

Oh...it's such a dealbreaker!

ACL and the end of Act 1 from DREAMGIRLS were suppose to be on the DVD, but issues with rights clearances came up and poof...they're not on.

It's why I don't own it. BASTARDS!!!

[Horsey]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 12:32pm

This program isn't great. Most of the sequences look drab and dated and don't come-off well out of context. Although, the clip of Betty Buckley singing "Memory" is wonderful. Going from the banality of the Cats chorus doing "Jellicle Cats," to Buckley's true "star turn" as Grizabella performing at the pinnacle of her powers. Updated On: 11/13/03 at 12:32 PM

[orion59]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 12:51pm

Chorus Line was not included on the final cut.

I completely disagree with it being drab and dated. Yes the numbers reflect the time in which they were performed but, they are part of theater history. I think it's wonderful to be able to see Chita nd Gwen doing numbers from Chicago, The original cast of Cabaret, Patti lapone doing Evita, not to mention taht it captures such classics as Yul Brynner in TK&I, Paul Lynde from BBB and so many others. Some of the addoitional material that was added to the DVD Included Patti doing What's New Buenos Aires, A medley from Sugar Babaies with Mickey Rooney and Ann "how does her hair defy the laws of gravity" Miller.

It may be missing some of the exciting rock music and special effects that will appeal to some and therefore may seem old and dated but for anyone who loves classic BWAY, it's worth having.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 1:25pm

Some of the stuff is so wonderful, some not so wonderful!

Hilights

Patti LuPone BELTING the crap outta A New Argentina
Bonnie Frankline & Co. "Applause" from Applause (Such talented people!!)
Barbra Harris - from the Apple Tree (Amazing actress)
Andrea McArdle - "Tomorrow"
Joel Grey and Cast "Willkommen"
42nd Street - "Lulluby of Broadway"
Cats segment

I wish o I wish Jennifer Holliday was on it like planned, but no go. I was lucky enough that my friend had an actual copy from when it was aired and i watched it with him! WOW, she was amazing, she sang most of the song sitting at a table!!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 4:50pm

Paul Lynde looks so angry in that performance. I think the song is about aggravation not sheer anger.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 4:53pm

Someone stole his poppers.

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 8:57am

I really enjoyed seeing this DVD. I'm a sucker for seeing rare footage of performers in a theatrical setting. Some random thoughts:

What fun it was to see Barbara Harris do the Appasionella bit from APPLE TREE. I've always heard about this show -- hell, I've always heard about Harris -- but never seen either of them. [Oh, wait, wasn't Harris in FREAKY FRIDAY with Jodie Foster? I stand corrected.] From what I saw, it surely wouldn't be one of my apex theatrical moments, but interesting to see all the same.

Also great fun to see Bonnie Franklin and the cast of APPLAUSE do the title number. I read the script once, and the stage directions of that number in print are mind-boggling and make no sense. However, seeing it realized made perfect sense! Franklin, though I'm loath to admit it as I've never been a fan, was an attractive stage performer.

"You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" and "Tomorrow". I read somewhere about seeing McArdle's 13 year old self singing this song: how refreshing to see this performed and realized that it was once a major theatrical moment. And the orphans'number with the Gennaro choreography is charming. Wonder how many ANNIE choreographers around the community theatre country are going to be lifting that choreography?

Ann and the Mick doing the McHugh medley from SUGAR BABIES. Ah, I saw that show, and remember thinking how old Miller looked. Good Lord, she was a spring chicken, wasn't she? The hair is unbelievable, true, but for that kind of show and delivery, she certainly had that....er, MGM flair. And Mickey...what can one say? I remember his bio in the Playbill said something like

MICKEY ROONEY (Mickey) formerly Joe Yule, Jr. formerly Andy Hardy.

and that was it.

One thing I wish they had done in compiling this DVD collection of Tony numbers was to NOT include folks like Robert Preston doing "Trouble" or Brynner and Morrison doing "Shall We Dance?". We've got the films of their performances. I would like to have seen other, less "available commercially" performances from the 60s/70s.

And as far as not including the 75 Tonys with the opening of ACL, or the 83 Tonys with the Holliday number, that didn't bother me. I have both of those on video. The glory of black market, don't you know... :)
Updated On: 11/14/03 at 08:57 AM

[sheekala]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 9:16am

I think this DVD is a must have, and as for being "dated" most of the performances cannot be matched as far as sheer "star quality", watching Andrea McArdle belt out "Tomorrow" without a hint of the sugary sweetness most Annie's do nowadays is a reminder of how great that moment was, and Mickey Rooney, what can you say?The man was amazing in that show and was robbed of a Tony... word is he'll be headlining a Christmas Show in Atlantic City this holiday season, I will be front and center for that!

[orion59]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 9:49am

I suppose to younger audiences, a lot of the material on this DVD would seem dated, corny, etc.

They are dated but, still very valuable because they show a piece of the Broadway tradition and history. Many of these are people who studied their craft very carefully and brought amazing performances to the stage.

Shows like JCS, Hair and Godspell were once considered cutting edge, modern, speaking to a new generation. These shows even seem a bit dated when done in their original context. I'm sure that 30 years from now Rent, Taboo and many other plays popular today will seem dated to a new generation of theater fans

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 3:11pm

My birthday is this Sunday, and I made it a point to tell my sweetie that this DVD was at the top of my list.

EVERYBODY should buy this, if only to insure that future discs of similar material get released. (This sentiment echoed by me from Mandelbaum.)

I have all the Tony telecasts from 1985 to the present, except for 1986. (My damn sister-in-law taped a SOAP over it!!!) I treasure my Tony tapes, and plan to start transferring the musical highlights to DVD on my own as soon as I get a burner.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 3:28pm

I remember someone writing on here how awful Zero Mostel was doing '...Rich Man' when this was broadcast.

And you wonder why nearly every new show gets panned.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 3:49pm

The OBC Annie was the first show I ever went to as a kid...and I don't remember Andrea McArdle playing that role as anything but a brash, cocky but nice orphan ..not sticky sweet at all...

and the "Tomorrow" was sung... for all the belting...really quite simply...she just sang it...no gooey sugar coating...right in the middle of the stage...very little movement...

...by the time she got to the final "your only a day"...the house was already going nuts....

It was thrilling and even back then I knew this would not be the last Broadway show I would be attending...

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 9:35pm

Saw part of the show on NJ public TV the other night. Stars like that aren't in every cracker jack box these days. It's a keeper.

Speaking of McArdle's tommorrow.. it was amazingly "real". Speaking of ANNIE... this little gal in Philly's as close to McArdle vocally that I've seen in a while. We seem to forget a time when Preston, Chita, Buckley etc. were and still are in some cases, the best of the best. imho...

Updated On: 11/14/03 at 09:35 PM