Film versions of musicals that are unfaithful to the original

[jasobres]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:25am

Of course, the very first one that pops to mind is Rent. But there have been many other film versions of musicals that aren't faithful to the original as well as vice versa.

Bye, Bye, Birdie
Annie
(Hmmm, all three of those movies I've previously mentioned were released by Columbia. You know, next time we see a musical released by Columbia, we should not see it, right?)

Anyone know of any others?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:26am

*headdesk*

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:30am

here we go again....makes me think no one ca come up with an original post.....Zzzzz

[twogaab2]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:34am

Whatever! This really the rule rather than the exception.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:35am

How about we stop the stupid list threads. What's gained from these? really?

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:37am

Considering Columbia also released the incredibly faithful "1776," why would you say that?

"Unfaithful" is in the eye of the beholder... I suppose you could say that if a "bad" movie was made from a "good" show, it's unfaithful to the original as well.

If you want to talk about plot, songs or other stuff, I can think of many. Some of these "unfaithful" films vastly improved the source material and some made it worse. Others, it made no difference. But here are some...

Chicago (it all happened in her head)

Cabaret (they threw out all songs that didn't happen "organically")

The Wiz (they threw the entire original concept out the window)

Funny Girl (they added back in the real Fanny Brice songs---something they wanted to do on stage as well---and cut the stage songs that had been written as replacements)

The Gay Divorcee - Fred & Ginger - (threw out all the songs except Night and Day, and changed the name of it from "The Gay Divorce" to "The Gay Divorcee")

On the Town (threw out nearly 3/4 of Bernstein's Broadway score)

Brigadoon (reinvented as a "dance musical" for Gene & Cyd, cut several key songs and expanded several others to add dance sequences)

A Chorus Line (added subplots to cut away from the main story on stage, cut a few key songs and moments)

Little Shop of Horrors (changed the ending, and added a new song)

Carousel (added the star keeper scene at the beginning, which changed the focus of the entire story)

I'm sure others will come to mind...

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:49am

With Little Shop, I LOVE the "alternate" ending (which is basically the original). I can't believe they changed it. It's especially good because it's in black and white and makes it look even more like a B-grade horror flick. I sort of wish the entire movie would have been release in black and white. Somehow, it was even more campy and horrifying at the same time. And I just LOVE the shots of the plant storming around NY like Godzilla. It's a SCREAM!!!!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:53am

this list is very easy to compile. simply list every movie musical ever made with the exception of the Bette Middler GYPSY...

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:53am

the original Little Shop was NOT a musical...see title of thread "Film versions of MUSICALS that are unfaithful to the original" The original was NOT a musical to being with.....

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:58am

I think that most movie musicals end up being a bit unfaitful to the original in some respects. It's a bit inevitable in the transfer from stage to screen.

Anyway, I could SWEAR we just had this discussion all of two weeks ago.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:09pm

colleen_lee,
So what if they just had this discussion two weeks ago? girl.. are you on the rag? You haven't stopped being a b***h in 3 days!

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:21pm

"the original Little Shop was NOT a musical...see title of thread "Film versions of MUSICALS that are unfaithful to the original" The original was NOT a musical to being with..... "

I think we all know that. What's your point here? There was a film version OF the stage musical (which, yes, was based on a original Roger Corman film). Most musicals are based on something from another medium. I'm sure you know that too.

We're talking about film versions of stage MUSICALS----Not where they came from or what they were based on. Read the thread title again, Elphaba.

...And I like the idea of releasing "Little Shop" (the MOVIE MUSICAL) in black & white... adding to the "B" '50s sci-fi camp value.

EDIT: I'm really tired of everyone pointing out that something has been discussed already. It's very narrow-minded... and redundant. Since there's very likely been a thread discussion on nearly EVERY topic imaginable, this is a really lame and whiny waste of energy. Most of you don't even realize it.

Updated On: 12/14/05 at 12:21 PM

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:56pm

The Sound of Music and West Side Story had some changes with the songs in their order and who sings them. In these two cases I would say the film versions easily surpass the stage versions.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:02pm

best12 -- thanks for beating me to the punch on the Little Shop thing. I really didn't know where THAT was coming from!!! LOL

If you haven't seen how the ending was originally shot for the musical movie version of Little Shop (hope that was completely clear), it's definitely worth trying to find. Audience response to everyone dying was bad and they reshot with a happy ending.

Go figure!

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:08pm

"Fanny" --- might be the strangest film version of a musical... they threw out ALL the songs and used them as instrumental underscoring in a non-musical film adaptation of the musical.

Hair -- they gave it a plot

Babes in Arms -- they cut several key songs, including "My Funny Valentine," and tailored the plot around Mickey & Judy

A Little Night Music --- they cut the Liedersingers (the "Greek chorus" quintet) who comment on the story, plus all of their songs, and "The Miller's Son" as well. They also moved it to Austria instead of Sweden, for no real reason.

EDIT: Hanna -- I've been dying to see the ending, but the DVD is very rare since it was pulled the day of release by orders from Geffen. It's very pricey on eBay every now and then. I do know people who saw it in advance screenings, and actually said it didn't work and dragged the whole movie down to a crawl. They were among the test audiences who suggested a new ending. I never saw it, though.

Updated On: 12/14/05 at 01:08 PM

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:14pm

"They also moved it to Austria instead of Sweden, for no real reason."

REASON: $$$$$
Updated On: 12/14/05 at 01:14 PM

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:15pm

Irma La Douce also tossed out the songs and used the show's score as background music.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:23pm

Marquise --- Forgot they did it with "Irma" as well. Thanks! What a strange concept.

Can you imagine making a non-musical film out of some of today's musicals?

A non-musical Mamma Mia? Rent? Millie? Yet stay faithful (enough) to the plot and characters.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:25pm

best12 -- I bought the DVD off eBay, because I was such a fan of the show. It was pricey, but I felt it was worth it and I'm glad I have it in my collection. I even got Ellen Greene to sign it when I went to her "Torch" show at Joe's Pub 2 years ago.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:39pm

I actually bought a near mint copy of A Little Night Music on ebay for $5! Talk about a steal!
Here are some other changes:
Fredrika's song "The Glamorous Life". It's actually a really nice song and it starts out the same way as the original. Also, if they are doing away with the Quintet, then this is a nice way to bring that out.

"In Praise of Women" and "Liasons" are both cut but there are portions where the music is played and where to songs would have been, so you do get a feel for them.

"Everyday A Little Death" has added lyrics. My guess is to bring out Diana Rigg's Charlotte.

"Now/Later/Soon" have some changes but are basically the same. I think 'Later' has the biggest cuts and appears after 'Soon'

They also change Henrik's name to Erik and Petra's name might have been changed too, but since it appears in lyrics, maybe not.

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:44pm

best12bars - - -

Well I can imagine MAMMA MIA!
I think it's original source material was the 1968 Gina Lollobrigida comedy BUONA SERA, MRS. CAMPBELL.

Updated On: 12/14/05 at 01:44 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:50pm

Marquise --- Wow, I never heard Mamma Mia was based on an established film plot... (but admittedly haven't really researched its genesis).

I feel dumb now. (...or at least ig'nant.)

Am I the only one that didn't know it was adapted???

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:53pm

I didn't know . . . but, honestly, I didn't care to know. Ten minutes into Mamma Mia, I was OVER the whole thing. SO overrated!

No offense to anyone who likes the show, I just don't understand why it consistently sells well and many other shows don't.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:58pm

Hanna -- -I enjoyed it enough... but not enough to defend it as any kind of high art. I was entertained though and had a good time.

Marquise --- I just read the IMDb.com synopsis of "Campbell" and I can totally see it. Perhaps so much was made of the ABBA music that it eclipsed the fact that it was based on a '60s film.

Back to thread...

Night Music was a disasterous adaptation from start to finish. Such a shame!

I also agree that the minor changes in plot or song for Sound of Music, West Side and Oliver! were all improvements over the stage versions.

Updated On: 12/14/05 at 01:58 PM

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 2:34pm

The Pajama Game: Cut several songs and totally cut out the "dark" side of Prez (no womanizing).

Forum: also cut some songs and retooled the story a bit. It also expanded the locale of the chase scene to more than just in and outside of the 3 main houses.