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Joel Grey in Cabaret

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#1

Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 9:08pm

I was watching 'Cabaret' the other night and a question struck me that I thought some of the more knowlegdable broadway folk on this board could answer. Why was Joel Grey cast in 'Cabaret' the movie? I don't mean this in a negative way, but after Julie Andrews didn't get 'My Fair Lady' and Carol Channing didn't get 'Hello Dolly' why did hollywood cast Grey. With hollywood's track record, I thought that they would have wanted a bigger star for the role?
#2

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 9:13pm

My guess is that they didn't want a star that overpowered Liza Minelli.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#3

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:01pm

I never really thought about that point...it is strange isnt' it? But for whatever reason, i'm glad he's in it.
#4

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:05pm

I never thought about this either, but like what was said, it might be because of Liza Minnelli.
If I heard the bells and the banjos ring
#5

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:06pm

I don't remember exactly, but I think one of the producers of the film insisted on Joel's being cast. Or someone insisted. I don't really remember who.
#6

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:08pm

Well, the Emcee isn't really a starring role. Grey was billed last, so I don't think they were looking for a star. If Jill Hayworth had been cast as Sally over Minnelli, that would have been different.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#7

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:11pm

Maybe because he's superb in the role. Thanks god no one else got that part.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#8

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:14pm

Just for fun, if not Joel Grey, who would have been cast?
#9

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:22pm

I agree he's great in the role and I love the fact that his performence was preserved for those of us who weren't first around to see it. Still it find it funny they didn't dump grey for someone alittle bit more hollywood. I don't know...
#10

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:36pm

I think it's pretty clear. When you have someone who nailed a role the way he did, why even bother with anyone else? They knew they struck gold with him. Good for those producers who knew exactly what they were doing.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#11

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:39pm

Jane2, I agree. Joel Grey is the ultimate emcee. I adore him in that role.
"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich

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#12

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:40pm

Oh good question
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
#13

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/4/08 at 10:45pm

Agreed about Grey in the role. He is magnificent.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#14

re: Joel Grey in Cabaret

Posted: 6/5/08 at 12:24am

Bob Fosse did NOT want to cast Grey as the MC, but the producers (I believe) told Fosse that CABARET came with Joel Grey, it wasn't a choice.
Grey really did the role to perfection. And he has great chemistry with Liza in the scenes they share.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

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