Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television- Page 2

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 4:05am

Armstrong sponsored four musicals for TV altogether: in addition to Brigadoon, there was Carousel, Kismet, and Kiss Me, Kate, all with books that were somewhat inexplicably rewritten. The Kate (as you probably know) had particularly '60s arrangements.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 4:28am

When the show was announced for Encores! with Ebersole I was pretty disappointed, but now that the rest of the cast was announced and that I got my ticket, I actually can't wait. I honestly think the show is pretty mediocre (not bad, just not representative at all of the BRILLIANT film that inspired it). I also think that a show built around one of the most famous stars in the history of entertainment can be carried by...Christine Ebersole. We'll see. All I know is I can't wait to see Erin Davie singing "One Halloween"!!!
I wonder if Marshall will go the groovy way for the show or sorta modernize it.

EDIT: After watching the clips I must say I'm quite impressed with Bacall. I didn't know she had those legs. Wonder what she would have done with Phyllis in FOLLIES, for some reason, her presence reminds me a bit of Alexis Smith.

Updated On: 1/17/08 at 04:28 AM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 9:16am

ray-
I'd never thought of it, but she is kinda Alexis Smith-y.

I guess not being part of that time, I'm shocked at the gay innuendos that were allowed...granted the UK was/is more liberal. The cinematography is what's distracting to me, they like to do lots of "start back and zoom in on Bacall."

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 9:31am

I wish they had a decent performer do the "Applause" number. It'd be great to see either Bonnie Franklin, the original, or Pia Zadora, who was a replacement.

It is not a good show, imo, and perhaps the least deserving Tony winner for Best Musical.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 9:34am

Doodle-
I would disagree only to say that "Jersey Boys" and "Spamalot" were less deserving IMO.

[nmartin]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 9:35am

I've always considered Applause a guilty pleasure. I think whether or not a person likes it has something to do with having affection for that era.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 9:47am

It's a matter of opinion, husk, of course...but I think Purlie, while dated was a MUCH better show. My opinion is from seeing both telecasts for Applause and Purlie...and listening and friend's opinions.

I also think Jersey Boys deserved it's win over Drowsy, and I enjoyed Spamalot and loved most of Piazza (disliked the book) and consider that year a draw...Piazza won the tonys it should have.

Again, just my opinion.

[sparkleplenty]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 11:56am

Theatre is so often hard to translate to filmed tv (well, until Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods,et al) but I'm sure it would be odd to watch a Broadway musical with no reaction - empty auditorium, but at least there's a sense problably of what the show was. At the time of the broadcast I was thrilled just to see the thing on tv, having seen it on Broadway. I also remember being shocked by the Tony award broadcast the year Applause won because they showed the bare butts for that "Oh, Calcutta" moment. (Or am I crazy?)
THe show on Bway should not be judged by the tv version at any rate. The musical on stage was ELECTRIC and so contemporary at the time - Jane Fonda references, Lauren Bacall playing on her own image - 40's star years later - and was given a huge response the night I went. Standing ovation for Bacall of course. I was still in college - one of the first shows I saw and I was dazzled.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 12:06pm

Yup. That Tony Awards show performance of the "Applause" number did contain those "bare" butts and the entire number can be seen as a bonus performance on the 3rd volume of Broadway Lost Treasures.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 2:53pm

Wow! Excellent quality! Thanks!

Can you post the "Applause" number from your DVD?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 3:08pm

Do you want the original Broadway cast (with Bonnie Franklin) performing it on the Tony Awards or the version done on the 1973 CBS TV movie version?

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 3:33pm

The Tony Awards "Applause" number is already posted in a fine quality.

[morosco]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 3:50pm

I have to say that "But Alive" is one of my favorite theatre songs. I just love how it keeps topping itself during the progression of the song...just when you think it can't be ratcheted up another notch...it is! It's almost a frenzy!!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 3:52pm

Here's Bonnie Frankin and the original Broadway cast's 'gypsies' performing "Applause" at the Tony Awards.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Osjudd9Oyys

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 3:58pm

When I listen to "But Alive" in my head, it morphs into "Knowing When to Leave" from Promises, Promises. Know what I mean?

[DeadParrot2]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 4:47pm

I would certainly buy this show if it did get released on DVD, I just wonder if it hasn't shown up yet because it would be too expensive to get the rights, or if it has more to do with the perception that it wouldn't sell enough copies to make it worthwhile.

I wouldn't mind having Purlie either. While dated, it has some great music.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 5:57pm

I remember watching this eons ago when it was first broadcast. Watching the bits of it that are on "the site that shall not be mentioned" amazes me. I've bid up to sixty bucks for a bootleg of it on Ebay.

I'm amazed that they actually showed naked male buttocks on national television on the Tony Awards in the 1970s!!!!! (This may have started my life long love of naked male buttocks.) But not on the British television version!

And, GOD, does number not seem to go on forever?!?!?!?!?

I love "But Alive". I wish that there were still gay bars like that.

One thing that kills me about that number is that, in the musical, Margo is still a dramatic actress. I can't think of ANY dramatic actress since Tallulah, Bette or Joan who would get a reaction like that simply by entering a gay bar.

I mean, picture it. A croud of gay men that includes everyone from leathermen to twinkies taking a collective gasp and saying:

"Meryl!!!!"

It just wouldn't happen....

[allofmylife]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 6:07pm

What memories flood back. Been there, saw that. Thanks again and again.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 3:47pm

I've seen the Tony Awards number. I'd love to see the title number from your version.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 3:53pm

It'll get it posted in a few hours (when I get home).

I'll post the link here. Cool?

By the way... Debbie Bowen plays "Bonnie" in the TV movie. She has no Broadway credits nor any other professional credits post 1975, which leads us to a new thread:

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO DEBBIE BOWEN FROM THE 1973 TV MOVIE VERSION OF "APPLAUSE"?




Updated On: 1/21/08 at 03:53 PM

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 6:54pm

I thought the television version was bad when it originally aired. Perhaps that was because I saw the original stage production and thought that was great. By comparison, the TV version is fairly lame.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 11:18pm

I know Lauren Bacall wasn't at all happy with how it turned out - maybe she is the one holding it back from a DVD release.

The show has one of the best overtures.

[soubrette]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 1:50am

Seems to me that Debbie Bowen played Dainty June in Lansbury's GYPSY in London. Maybe you know that. According to Castalbums.org she also appeared in JEEVES in London in the mid 70's. That seems to be the period she did most of her notable work. Wonder what she's up to now...

[Scripps2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 9:32am

Thanks for posting the links - brilliant and funny, and such talented performers. I guess the gay references were there if you knew what to look for. My father saw the London production and I'm sure he wouldn't have had a clue. Somewhere I think I still have his programme, so will try and look it up to see if Larry Hagman was in it.

[RetroBoy]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 9:52am

That 'But Alive' number is CRAPtastic. I love it. Cheesy choreography, the gay guy gawking at Lauren Bacall in awe with the finger in his mouth is a hysterical sight. I could swear they were trying to slip in the phrase "Gay Power" in there among the neon letters up on the wall behind them. Very subliminal but clever. Overall a gay man's wet dream...I give it an 11 out of 10. Thanks for sharing.