Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
#1Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/9/09 at 8:00pm
Reading about remakes of DAMN YANKEES and MY FAIR LADY, two very solid adaptations of their stage productions, I can't help but wonder why the powers that be don't spend their energy and talent on correcting past mistakes - good shows that were mangled on film.
A few suggestions for starters, all of which were badly served in their film versions:
A CHORUS LINE
MAN OF LA MANCHA
MAME
PAL JOEY
GUYS AND DOLLS
#2re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/9/09 at 8:03pm
Because film is about making money.
People are going to buy tickets based on having seen the previous version on DVD and liking it or not liking it.
If they liked it, they'll buy tickets to the remake.
If they didn't, they won't, and the film won't make money.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#2re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/9/09 at 8:27pm
If they are remaking hits someone should consider remaking Cabaret based on the Sam Mendes direction.
Not sure if Jesus Christ Superstar was considered a cinema hit when it 1st came out but I would like to see that remade as well.
#3re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/9/09 at 11:33pm
"If they are remaking hits someone should consider remaking Cabaret based on the Sam Mendes direction. "
I was about to say the same thing... or at least a film that stays more true to the show. Don't get me wrong, I love the film adaption of Cabaret, but it's too different.
#4re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/9/09 at 11:38pmI would love for there to be a remake of ACL that includes Sing and Music and the Mirror
#5re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 6:14am
"Because film is about making money."
And Broadway isn't? There'sa reason why it's called show BUSINESS. Don't oversimplify.
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#6re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 7:59am
I don't understand the dislike for the Guys and Dolls movie. I enjoy that one a lot. In fact, other than Gwen Verdon, I think the Damn Yankees movie is that great. I haven't seen it in a long time, but I seem to remember there being a LOT that was cut from the show.
As for A Chorus Line, has there ever been a MORE theatrical show than ACL? The show belongs in a theater and should stay there. Film the show if necessary, but another movie is doomed to fail just as badly as the one we already have.
#7re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 8:16amTo me, the best candidate is Mame. Also, I agree with Jason's comments about ACL not being cinematic at all. Hello, Dolly would also be a candidate, but flawed as it is as a movie, no one will ever sing those songs better than Streisand did, so a remake is unlikely. As for Guys and Dolls, I'd love to see Hathaway, Messing and Reilly from the proposed Broadway cast, and replace Wilson with Hugh Jackamn as Sky.
#8re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 9:43am
A Chorus Line (one of my favorite shows ever) is very much a product of the mid-'70s, and I'm not just referring to the pop-culture references, the leotards, and the music.
What was shocking and revolutionary back then is "old hat" today.
You can turn on any "reality" show now and see a group of people gathered together for a short period competing for some "prize" while they bare their souls and talk about what's important to them. Some laugh, some cry, some are silly, and some are touching.
ACL just comes off as "Reality TV - The Musical" today. It's all been trivialized. Sad, but true.
The only reason to remake any of these movies (of old shows) is if they were relevant today. And yes, that translates into box office. If the goal is just to make a better "museum piece," then there's no way they'll do it. It has to "speak" to today's audiences or forget it.
Or they have to load it so full of movie stars that they think people will actually buy tickets. That's the only way Guys & Dolls or Mame would ever be remade for the big screen, for example.
A show that I think is crying out for a remake (and a better film version) is Brigadoon. It has a message that is very relevant to today's audiences. Film it on location, update the modern framework a bit, and give it a solid cast, and I think it would work. It could be very powerful.
And there are other shows that still should be filmed for a first time, let alone a second. Ragtime and Big River are at the top of that list for me.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#9re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 10:16amAnd Follies. We need a Follies movie.
#10re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 10:39am
Couldn't agree more about Ragtime (especially!) and Big River needing movie adaptations!
Actually, I think In the Heights has the potential to be extremely successful both financially and artistically as a movie if they can get the right cast.
#11re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 11:08amIs the Guys and Dolls movie considered a failure? I mean, I get that not everyone liked all the cast, but for the time, the film adaptation is pretty faithful by comparison. I really love Jean Simmons and the fact that Vivian Blaine recreates her Broadway role makes the film invaluable. I think a remake of On the Town is far more needed than Guys and Dolls. What they did to that show was a crying shame.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#12re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 12:57pm
I want Miss Saigon made into a movie as well. I think it has great potential for it.
As for bad movie musicals, I'm not fond of the Carousel movie and would like to see that remade--but casting it is another story.
#13re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 3:26pm
From a money-making perspective, why would you try something again that has been a proven failure in the past? Isn't the definition of insanity trying the same thing over and over expecting different results?
Creatively it's what should happen, but the money has to come from somewhere...
MCfan2
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/06
#14re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 3:29pmIf I ruled the world, they'd drop the "My Fair Lady" remake and do "Camelot" instead. There's a musical that desperately needs remaking, if ever a musical did.
#15re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 3:42pm
Guys and Dolls wasn't considered a very good film when it came out.
Stilted, fairly bloated, and "unfunny." Brando and Simmons were both criticized heavily for their (bad) singing. And Sinatra was noted by all as a HUGE miscast, since he should have been playing Sky. Especially with that voice. Blaine's performance was generally noted as a pale imitation of what she had done on Broadway. They even said Stubby Kaye fell flat.
Such a shame too.
I personally can't get through the movie anymore. It's certainly not as painful as Mame or La Mancha. But it isn't even as good as MGM's Brigadoon (which is not good at all), and that's saying something.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#16re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 3:48pmI like the Carousel movie, if for nothing but Jones and MacRae and their gorgeous singing. I actually think the soundtrack to Carousel is one of the best movie musical soundtracks ever.
KrissySim
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/08
#17re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 4:24pm
""Because film is about making money."
And Broadway isn't? There'sa reason why it's called show BUSINESS. Don't oversimplify.
Well, yeah, foster is right. In film you are dealing with much larger sums of money. The stakes are higher, the gamble hazard is higher. Why recreate a failure? Especially a financial failure. It if made money, that's a whole different game.
Filmmaking today, especially Hollywood, is so much about anticipating the market demographic. It's not about theatre aficionados who live in or go to New York. Hollywood supports a tremendous infrastructure, just look at the film credits. Producers want reasonable assurance that the film will make money. The parent companies who own the Hollywood companies want to see profits. People don't invest on Wall Street to break even.
KrissySim
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/08
#17re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 4:24pm
Accidental double-click. (Double post.) Too many cafe mochas.
Updated On: 3/10/09 at 04:24 PM
#19re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 4:35pmI want a new Gypsy movie with Patti LuPone and the cast of the 2008 Broadway production!
#20re: Instead of the hits, why not remake the musical films that failed?
Posted: 3/10/09 at 7:22pmI agree that Guys and Dolls was a bad movie. I kept hoping it would get better, but it never did. I think my high school's production was better than that. I don't think too many people would be interested in it now though. I love the show though.
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