Deuce on DVD

[ElizabethAngela]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 6:58pm

Does anyone happen to know if Angela Lansbury's 2007 play Deuce will ever be released on DVD or if there is a chance that it might be released? I know Sweeney Todd is the only play of hers that has ever been released on DVD, and I just wonder why that is. I would have loved to have seen her in Mame and Deuce. Deuce especially, I suppose because it is her most recent, not counting Blithe Spirit, which I'm hoping to see.

To see Deuce would be something special. I've only seen clips from it, hadn't, of course, seen it live, and would just be very much interested in seeing the whole show.

Incidentally, my favorite line from the show is when Midge says, "I never understood people who have difficulty in admitting their age!" To which Leona replies, "I admit it every morning when I drag myself out of bed and look in the bathroom mirror. I mean, it's reason enough to stop brushing your teeth. I stopped flossing years ago." That was so hilarious.

I especially loved it the way Leona talked about Midge becoming more refined by time and herself becoming "invisible." I would love to see the whole show, because it seemed like it touched on so many sensitive issues.



Updated On: 4/17/09 at 06:58 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 7:32pm

I suggest you visit the Lincoln Center library, where you can watch a video of one of the performances of DEUCE.

As for SWEENEY, a lot of Sondheim shows have been released on DVD. It doesn't happen with many other authors' shows. The would be no money in putting DEUCE on DVD.

Visit the archives at Lincoln Center.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 7:42pm

Despite featuring two of the greatest theatre actresses of all time, DEUCE is actually kind of a dud. The performances were good, but the play itself? Eh.

SWEENEY was only released to DVD because it was taped and broadcast as a PBS special. DEUCE was not.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 10:49pm

Just wondering .... is there any reason why, if a poster is ASKING A QUESTION, they don't use a QUESTION MARK in the thread title?

Your thread title implies that you have information to share, when that is not the case.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 10:57pm

Oh, c'mon. No one in their right mind would spend money to put Deuce on DVD. It was obviously a question.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 11:00pm

Well, to be fair, "Deuce on DVD" isn't exactly a question.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/18/09 at 1:54am

ColortheHours-
Actually, I think Sweeney was broadcast on one of the big 3 (CBS/ABC/NBC), and Hearn won an Emmy for it.

[ElizabethAngela]

Posted: 4/18/09 at 3:24pm

Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes were praised for the very reason that they were Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes, but as for the show itself, it seems I have read more critical reviews and critical personal opinions than honorary. Of course, these people are certainly entitled to their opinion, but in all honesty I can say that I don't let reviews and opinions determine whether or not I at least try and see for myself what I think of it. I prefer to be my own judge, which I think is fair enough. From the little bits I have seen, I think I would care for the show a great deal, not just for Angela and Marian, but for the whole point the show is getting across. In an interview, Angela herself said that the show is about how "some women become invisible after a certain age," and to me, who is fairly not quite yet "invisible" at twenty-five, I can relate to that aspect, as I am sure a lot of women could. Maybe Deuce appealed more to women, although I could be wrong about that.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/18/09 at 4:05pm

Actually, I think Sweeney was broadcast on one of the big 3 (CBS/ABC/NBC), and Hearn won an Emmy for it.

This taping of the US Tour of SWEENEY TODD (taped in Los Angeles) was filmed by and shown originally on Showtime in September 1982. It won several Cable ACE Awards. It later aired on PBS (in 1984) as part of their GREAT PERFORMANCES series. It was never shown on network television (CBS, NBC or ABC).

Since it aired on regular television (PBS), it was eligible for1985 Emmy consideration, hence its 3 wins, including George Hearn's for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. Angela Lansbury was also nominated but didn't win.

NOTE: this cable-first-later-regular-TV nomination is no longer done. Films can only be nominated for their first telecast -- either cable channel or regular network TV.

[ElizabethAngela]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 9:37pm

Someone put this on Flickr. A little Leona doll! It's so adorable! I think it's a wedding cake topper.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25869418@N02/2500240220/

[RockabyeHamlet]

Posted: 4/20/09 at 2:25am

I saw Deuce, and while I enjoyed Angela and Marian's performances, the show does not warrant a DVD release. Musicals by well-known composers have a very, very small audience. Spending money to put Deuce on DVD would be like throwing money down a rat hole.