Bedknobs and Broomsticks- Page 4

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 10:42am

The "Solid Citizen" is a music-hall type number. It was written for Angela Lansbury to sing to distract the king while the medallion was stolen.

Part of the problem with Bednobs and Broomsticks is the whole animated sequence is a waste of time. (***Spoiler Alert***) They go all the way there only to come back empty handed. The sequence serves no purpose for the story.

Also, the other problem is that by the time the final movie came out, much of Angela Lansbury's music had been cut. So Emelius ends up with more music than Eglatine.

I think this show could work onstage, but they would have to do a major revision which would include balancing out the music and cutting the animation sequence.

Updated On: 8/4/11 at 10:42 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 10:45am

That animated sequence may ultimately be unnecessary to the outcome of the plot, but it's also the highlight of the movie.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 10:51am

^^^But it's awkward. Visually the football (I think in the movie they Americanized it and called it soccer) match is interesting for about 5 minutes. But it goes on too long. Children can watch Disney animals smash into each other, ala the Roadrunner or Bugs Bunny, all morning long but onstage that would never translate.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 10:55am

I agree with Goth. Even as a kid, I got bored during the animated sequence. I liked the all the magic bits, with things floating around. And I loved all the darker parts in London.

But I may have been a weird kid. I certainly am now.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 10:58am

Oh, I agree that it wouldn't translate. I said that much earlier in the thread.

That's why I don't think B&B would make a good Broadway show.

Mary Poppins was different. While some people (including me) think the animated sequence was a highlight, it wasn't THE highlight, because there were several other adventures that were equally good (the chimney sequence, the tea party on the ceiling).

In B&B you don't have 3 or 4 adventures like that. You have one when they visit the Island of Naboombu. Then you have the battle with the empty armor at the end against the Nazis for the big finale.

That's it, other than some cute hocus-pocus and a few nice musical numbers. Losing the animated sequence definitely impact the show.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 11:28am

I think there's enough material there to make a decent Broadway show. Remember when they go to London and need to find the other half of the book? The bookseller sequence should be built up to make him the antagonist. Tie the bookseller into the Nazi plot and boom, you've got a show.

The Portobello Road number is interesting because they have different styles of music within the sequence. It would make a great ensemble number.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 11:30am

Ugh. Portobello Road.

Ugh.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 12:04pm

Well it's not Mary Poppins, but it ain't half bad.


Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uqw7jn1oxE

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TOYaEcgQS4&feature=related

Updated On: 8/4/11 at 12:04 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 12:15pm

I actually like the idea of building up the bookseller's role in the narrative, Goth. I'm not familiar enough with the original books (I believe there's two of them), but I also wonder if there would be a way to go back to the original source material and draw a show up from that.

I do think the animated sequences were just a bit too long, but they were still a highlight for me as a child. The movie is one of my favorites, but it is pretty poorly paced.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 12:31pm

I'm still with Goth on this, but it's just my opinion, of course, and far from an expert one.

I honestly don't remember many of the plot points of "The Magic Bedknob"; I'm pretty sure all the WWII stuff was invented for the film. As I recall, "Bonfires and Broomsticks" had a time-traveling alchemist, so I doubt any of that novel could be worked into the plot if it otherwise follows the film.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 12:37pm

I read the books so long ago, but I do remember there being more adventures. Maybe that's the key ... go back to the source material and start over. They can use the movie songs if/when appropriate, but approach it as a brand new adaptation with a (mostly) brand new score.

Wouldn't that be novel?!

Don't just Xerox the movie on stage! Make it fresh, just like they did when ... or the other time when ...

Why is it that I can only ever come up with The Lion King as a fresh interpretation of a more recent popular movie?

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 12:42pm

I don't know how much it changed crossing the Atlantic, but the "Mary Poppins" I saw in London had lots of scenes that aren't in the film.

Not that I much liked them, but . . .

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 12:42pm

Didn't Mary Poppins take some material from the original books?


Like Reggie said...

Updated On: 8/4/11 at 12:42 PM