Some (most?) movie stars do not have the stamina nor discipline to play 8-shows a week for a year or more. Most of them are ready to quit once the reviews are filed and grudgingly stay because they have a contract.
O'Connor had a very successful film career at Universal in the 40's and at M-g-M, Fox and and Paramount in the '50s. He made good money and enjoyed popularity on TV during his down time. He was also, sadly, an alcoholic. His drinking ended his first marriage and created problems with his second. He also became unstable and ultimately unemployable. True he got some dud vehicles: The remake of ANYTHING GOES (although he is quite good and charming in his sidekick role) and a deadly dull film inspired by the life of Buster Keaton.
He may have had problems with BRING BACK BIRDIE, but he did quite well in a revival of SHOW BOAT in 1983. In ,later years he did smaller club dates and enjoyed the nostalgia wave of the 70's/80's.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
Updated On: 11/3/10 at 10:50 PM
