Bette Midler in Gypsy

[wiggum2]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 7:31pm

HI
I was wondering how you liked Bette as Momma Rose. I personally loved her, I thought she did a great job. I've only seen BP live but saw Tyne Daly, Roz and Betty Buckley on tape but I think I might like BM the most. It may be because the tv Gypsy was the first Gypsy I saw.
I've read that Laurents and Sondheim didn't like Bette. I wonder why though. How about you guys?

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 7:35pm

I own the cd of Gypsy with Bette i like Bernadette better.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 7:39pm

I hated her. Her performance was one dimensional and basically she reminded me of every other Rose I had ever seen. Her performance offered nothing new. Her Rose's Turn was laughable. In general the entire television movie was horrible. Completely glitzed over eye candy. Every moment of it was painful.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 7:42pm

I saw it with Tyne Daly. Bette could obviously sing the role much better. Daly couldn't sing the role and what's the point of doing the show with someone who can't sing the role?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 9:09pm

I enjoyed her performance. I enjoyed the entire production.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 9:20pm

I liked the TV movie, and thought Bette did a great job. She sang the role quite well, and was really driven. I enjoyed the movie- I got a kick out of the 3 strippers and I really enjoyed the Louise n that version as well. Overall, it was an enjoyable movie.

[BroadwayNYC]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 10:23pm

I didn't see the Gypsy movie with Bette Midler. I'm trying to find it on DVD but haven't had much luck. Apparantly, amazon doesn't have it. Any suggestions?

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 10:28pm

I love her as Rose. I wish she had played it on Broadway.

[Qfan]

Posted: 2/7/04 at 11:23pm

ive seen the movie and i've seen bp as mama and BP is in my opinion the way mama should be which is sexy so she could get her ways.

[cbrown828]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 1:13am

hey broaddwaynyc i dont think its on dvd try vhs. a friend is a big bette fan and i bought it for her a few years back.

[PJ]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 1:19am

There was a DVD, but it's no longer being made.

And as for Ms. Midler. Mediocre performance at best. Tyne Daly may not have been Merman, but I'd take her "I was ill at the time" cast recording over Bette and her stinkin' movie any day. Bette didn't act. When you watch the movie, you're seeing Bette playing Bette, not Bette playing Rose. Vocals? Ehh...her "Some People" was worse than Roz Russell's in the '62 movie version. And her "Rose's Turn" was almost laughable. If she would have acted or showed some characterization, I would have enjoyed it a little better.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 1:19am

I totally agree with bestofbroadway. Her acting was terrible. You couldn't see any vulnerability in her Rose. And the guy who played Herbie. What moron casted him? He had ONE facial dumb-found facial expression in the entire movie.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 1:29am

I felt Bette was brilliant in the role. She epitomizes Rose to me...
Just one gay boy's opinion.

Love,
Joshie

[PJ]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 1:35am

I suppose if acting isn't needed for that role, then yes, I suppose her performance was phenomenal.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 1:48am

Nicely put PJ...some people seem to miss the key component in a musical theater performance. The ACTING!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 1:57am

Umm - the SINGING is just as (if not more) important as/than the acting in a MUSICAL Theatre Performance. Not saying that acting isn't important; however, at least she didn't struggle to sing the role (as some others have).

Love,
Joshie

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 5:54am

Josh, you are quite wrong there. Ask any actor. Singing is 100% secondary. A less than spectacular singer can act the hell out of a role/somng and really sell it to the audience. A singer who can't act can SING the song, but can't find the character and therefore bores the audience. And what about those little breaks in between songs.. those minor, insignifcant things we like to call scenes and plot.. where there is NO singing.. you need an actor for that.. not a songer.

Example -- Elaine Stritch. Not teh greatest singer out there, but she knows how to sell a number when she needs to.



I persoanlly find one major fault in the Midler Gypsy.. the lack of David Burtka Updated On: 2/8/04 at 05:54 AM

[BillFinn]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 9:17am

I dunno Ryan, the tall twink they had in the movie was fine to me. I agree about the concept that acting is more important than the singing in musicals.

Updated On: 2/8/04 at 09:17 AM

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 12:37pm

I'm not an idiot. Of course the singing is important, but the acting is key to playing a role like Mama Rose. And in my opinion the acting is more important for a role like Mama Rose. I don't want to go to a theater and watch an actress show of her vocal prowess (ie Sherrie Rene Scott). If I wanted to do that I would go to a cabaret. Updated On: 2/8/04 at 12:37 PM

[BroadwayNYC]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 1:48pm

Cbrown828, I'll try to look for the video then. For the past three years I have been collecting all my music videos/concerts/musicals/movies on DVD and I hate to have it on video!!

I'm also collecting every video/cast recording of GYPSY! Can't you tell how much I love it?!

I have the book and the music selections (both with Bernadette & Bette Midler) and I want to buy the Angela Landsbary & Tyne Daly cds. Just my favorite musical of all time :)

[broadwaysweetheart]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 7:57pm

Try looking on ebay for the dvd! I think 2 of them are listed right now.
I liked Bette, I think she was good, but I think the really greats of that movie were Linda Hart as Mazeppa, Lacey Chabert as Baby June and Anna McNeely as Electra, uhh and Christine Ebersole!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 9:22pm

Comapare two Roses on tape.

First watch Roz Russell in the railway scene leading up to "Evereything's Coming Up Roses". Concentrate on her face. It's a study of a hundred thoughts running through her mind. Then, of course, she breaks into song and the scene falls apart.

Now, do the same with Bette. What's on her face? NOTHING!!! She may be trying to internalize things here, but it doesn't work. Her interpretation falls apart.

However, Bette sings the part more effectively than Roz Russell/Lisa Kirk.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 10:06pm

Now don't chew my head off DollyPop...but if there was role I could see Mrs. Midler playing it would be Dolly Levi. By this post I don't mean to say that Mrs. Midler has no talent, simply that she is not a strong enough actress to pull off Mama Rose. But the woman has great comedic timing and quite a voice. I think her Dolly could be sensational.

Hey DollyPop- what would you think of Bernadette as Dolly Levi? Not saying I think it's a great or even good idea. Simply what are your thoughts. What about Faith Prince?

Updated On: 2/8/04 at 10:06 PM