Imelda Staunton/Bette Midler in GYPSY is streaming for free

I think it's a pretty good version - Imelda is a great Rose. 

http://filmedonstage.com/news/306-west-end-production-of-gypsy-now-streaming-for-free-starring-imelda-staunton

EDIT:

Bette Midler version:

http://filmedonstage.com/news/300-gypsy-starring-bette-middler-now-streaming-for-free-in-full-hd

Updated On: 9/11/20 at 01:41 PM

I thoroughly enjoy Gypsy, and watched when this was on PBS a while ago. I don't know how much I like Staunton as Rose. She plays her at 500% from "Sing out, Louise" to Rose's Turn. She's already at the highest of highs, so there is nowhere for her to go. The medium of film/television isn't great for this portrayal of Rose. Perhaps this is why Ethel Merman made so few movies...(it was said she was too big and loud for the screen).

If I need a filmed Gypsy, I go to Bette Midler...or other prohibited viewings.

I couldn't stand more than ten minutes of this production before I had to turn off. I thought she was going to start punching audience members in the front row. I grew up thinking Rosalind Russell was a great Mama Rose before I discovered her performance in Auntie Mame and then discovering much better Roses out there, so I thought I had a high tolerance for so-so Roses, but Staunton was just way too much. Watching her in various films, I think she's someone who needs to be directed carefully because her default is too much, and if given a little bit of encouragement to go in that direction and...well...like Joe Catalano said, her version of Hello Dolly! will be "something".

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "I couldn't stand more than ten minutes of this production before I had to turn off. I thought she was going to start punching audiencemembers in the front row. I grew up thinking Rosalind Russell was a great Mama Rose before I discovered her performance inAuntie Mameand then discovering much better Roses out there, so I thought I had a high tolerance for so-so Roses, 

I actually like Rosalind Russell as Rose acting wise, as does theater historian Ethan Mordden. But I just can't abide a dubbed Rose. I don't mind a dubbed Eliza or Anna Leonowen for some reason. Plus I'd rather they cast Ethel or Judy. 

It will be interesting to see Imelda as Queen Elizabeth, a subtle person if ever there was one. 

 

Fun fact is that Ellen M. Krass that got this one done was supposed to film the Patti revival (I even remember ticket holders being notified about cameras filming the show), but then producers decided to close the production a month early and couldn't care less about the filming getting canceled. 

i've seen 4 versions of GYPSY...Angela Lansbury live...Imelda and Bette on tv...and of course the Roz Russell film...I LOVE ROZ as Mama Rose...but she couldn't sing the score well enough...i loved Bette, even though she did seem manic in her own way sometimes...I HATED IMELDA as Rose...she was hyped-up on drugs it seemed, for the whole musical...lastly, i LOVED seeing Angela as Rose live on stage...a true stage star playing the greatest role written for a woman in a musical...