BROADWAY'S LOST TREASURES DVD

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.

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!!!

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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.

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

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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

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

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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.

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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...

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