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#51

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 1/27/08 at 10:26am

That number is just too "clown gay" for me. I love the song, but that guy with the finger in his mouth gawking? That's the gay equivalent of a caricatured shuffling slave in the South.

Ick. And no thanks.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#52

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:15am

"Gay Power" is definitely in there but obscured during filming by the light/swing. Did gay men really know how to play snooker/billiards/pool back then? I can't even chalk up a cue!

And men dancing around each other doesn't imply anything. After all they did that in On The Town and I'm sure no-one in the Navy is gay.

(British humour creeping into the above message)
#53

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/19/08 at 11:21am

I think that few people are taking on board that this programme was made in 1973. I know that there is no canned laughter or Applause but then there are none of these things in On The Town, West Side Story, or any of the big musicals that have been done over the years. This was a time when people were still coming to terms with the freedom to show nude body parts and to openly show gay men, and as such is a part of history. This seems funny now but there was a practice at this time to have one set of costumes for the UK and another for the US, any costume that showed too much cleavage was filled in for the US.

Updated On: 5/19/08 at 11:21 AM

#55

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/19/08 at 6:14pm

Did gay men really know how to play snooker/billiards/pool back then? I can't even chalk up a cue!

I don't know if they were actually using it to play pool or not, but if you watch the documentary "Gay Sex in the 70s," they mention how all the New York gay bars could be identified by, among other things, the "ever-present pool table." It's available to watch online on Netflix if anyone's interested.
"I just want a story and a few good songs that will take me away. I just want to be entertained. I mean, isn't that the point?"
#56

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/19/08 at 7:34pm

APPLAUSE needs a major book re-write, MAJOR, in order to work and if someone wanted to tweak (and by tweak I mean change 80% of the score) that'd be great. There are a couple great moments but the book is so far-fetched and odd, and what worked for ALL ABOUT EVE does not really work for this.
I would love to see an overhauled revival though, especially if Megan Sikora put on her dancing shoes and stopped the show with her renditions of "Applause" and "She's No Longer a Gypsy," to me she stole the show right from under everybody else on that stage, even Ebersole.
"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"
#57

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/19/08 at 10:42pm

I too would love to see an overhauled revival, one that is more true to the film and not so 1970's. I'm a big fan of period pieces but my god...I'd prefer it be subtley set in the 50's. The only good songs, I feel, in the show are "But Alive", "Welcome to the Theater", "Applause", "One Halloween", and maybe "Something Greater". The rest of the score should be re-tooled.

Also, I would love to see Lauren Bacall's version of "Welcome to the Theater" from the television version on YouTube.
You look absolutely terrific, honestly.
#58

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/19/08 at 10:46pm

I would add "She's No Longer a Gypsy" to that list, haddaddy. The only problem with that song is that ummm, Eve was NEVER a gypsy! That is one of the many problems of the book, it would make a lot more sense if Eve was a chorus girl and the song would take on a new significance. Either way I'm glad it's there because that meant that Sikora got to stop the show not only once but twice at the Encores! concert.
"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"
#59

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/21/08 at 1:46am

Agree that Megan stole the show both times.

On the subject of up-to-date versions of All About Eve, did anyone else watch the season finale of The Simpsons on Sunday? Called "All About Lisa," the whole thing was a very close All About Eve parody with Krusty as the Margo Channing-like character hiring Lisa as his assistant. It's online too now.
"I just want a story and a few good songs that will take me away. I just want to be entertained. I mean, isn't that the point?"

Updated On: 5/21/08 at 01:46 AM

#60

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/21/08 at 3:47am

It was my first show also. Although I saw it with Anne Baxter. Loved it.
If I heard the bells and the banjos ring
#61

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:25am

How can you not love a show that has a song that mentions "You're gonna get an invitation to Truman Capote's balls?"

As a historical note, I feel I should mention to some of the kids on this site who don't know that Truman Capote, who sort of served as "America's Homosexual" during the 1960s and 70s was famous for a legendary masked Black and White Ball which he hosted for those whom he considered the creme de la creme of society at the Plaza Hotel on 19 November of 1966 when he was at the height of his fame/notoriety following "In Cold Blood."

The line in Applause got great guffaws from some in the audience and snickers from others for its twin meanings.
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Updated On: 5/21/08 at 05:25 AM

#62

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:18am

I'll post "Welcome to the Theater" sometime later this week on YouTube.com.

Any other requests for me to post on YouTube.com?

#63

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/21/08 at 4:03pm

Allofmylife, I knew Truma Capote was sort of a famous NY socialite (apart from a renowned writer of course) so I figured the line from "She's No Longer a Gypsy" connected back to that, but thanks for explaining the exact details of that allusion. I guess the show it's quite a product of its time, I don't really remember anyone's reaction to that line at the Encores! concert.
"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"
#64

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:06pm

I knew of TC from the films CAPOTE and INFAMOUS, but before seeing those films I had no idea what that line meant.

Okay so about the songs with the gypsies...

I'm sure Megan Sikoura was thrilling as Bonnie as many have said. I just don't get the point of those characters. As Ray said, they don't make sense. You never really see them other than at the bar and do nothing to advance the plot. I think they're only there to make it more '70s. The only reason I would keep "Applause" is because it's the title song...but even that being in the bar has no significance.

I'm sure most of you have seen the movie "All About Eve" which is so incredibly perfect. The idea to musicalize it sounds amazing but the complete product that was produced almost 40 years ago does not even compare.

There is no mention of chorus people in the film (I can't remember, is Margo in a straight play in the musical as she is in the film?), it's just Eve wanting to be a star - she's the only one with ambition, which makes you feel for her to begin with. With all the gypsies in the musical, though, it's like, "Oh, well they want to be stars too...so you're not all that special. Why is Margo taking you under her wing?" All of the gypsies in the bar stem from Eve herself. I'll explain:

Instead of the horrible song "Fasten Your Seatbelts", Margo just said the classic line in the film - a line which the song ruins. Further, Eve, sort of in a trance, delivers a wonderful speech about what it means to hear applause:

"Eve: Imagine... to know, every night,
that different hundreds of people
love you... They smile, their eyes
shine - you've pleased them, they
want you, you belong. Anything's
worth that."

That line is what the whole song "Applause" is based on. It should really be her song, and it should be sung at the party while Margo is having her drunk tantrum instead of the awful "Seatbelts" song. Instead they added a whole other plot element with the gypsies, taking up a whopping two scenes and having nothing to do with any of the main characters. From what I heard Erin Davie didn't give all that steller of a performance, so if there ever was a revival or a re-tooled version (probably not any time soon because of the flop I've heard Encores was), maybe Megan Sikoura could replace her as Eve and get more of a chance to shine.

I wish I could make my own version of the musical based more on the original screenplay - including the few good songs from the seventies version - and adding other better ones. However, since I am only 16 and nobody would listen to my ideas, someone else has to got to make a better musical out of the wonderful film. Or it should just be a straight play - left alone - in its perfection. I mean my gosh - that "Good Friends" piece of nothing replaces Margo's amazing speech about working at being a woman..."That's one thing all women have in common, being a woman. Eventually we've all got to work at it." How could it get any better than that? It can't. And Bette Davis? Good Lord...

Sorry for the long rant, but that's just how I feel. The movie is one of the best ever made, and the musical is just...not. You might all think I'm totally wrong. Who knows?
You look absolutely terrific, honestly.
#65

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:14pm

I'm sure it went right by. The other thing is that Tru was one of the most complex people you could ever meet (I have friends wh say he wasn't. They just say he was a little s**t. Guess it depends on your perspective).

Truman was friends with just about every rich society dame in the city. He was a sort of gay father confessor/fashion consultant/walker/party starter. (Thank God, the image of the gay man has so moved on from the Trumans of the world.) At any rate, he announced he was going to have this incredible party where everyone had to wear black-and-white only and fabulous masks, then he didn't hand out the invitations. He drove these celebrity women (who he called "Swans") crazy. They would read about the ball in the columns but their invites never came.

He made them come to him. And they did. All of them.

I've seen photos of the Ball and it was incredible (although some said the actual event was a letdown).

Eventually, Truman wrote a novel in which he fictionalized many of these grand dames and they never, ever forgave him for the vicious comments.

As I said, complex guy...

My worst nightmare was to have to moderate a debate between Truman and Wm. F. Buckley. Those voices haunt me to this day. (Tru was a great writer, BTW)
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#66

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/21/08 at 8:24pm

"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. "

I think it's actually the first volume of the series.

Not too much noting on the third volume except for Angie doing "everything's Coming Up Roses", but not even in context of the scene...
Xanadu! Can't cry on cue!
#69

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/22/08 at 12:10am

I sorta guess that the reason the "gypsies" are there is to sort of contrast how hard-working people who paid their dues get absolutely no recognition while Eve simply comes out of nowhere and climbs her way to the top.
Thing is Eve was NEVER a gypsy, she wasn't even in the ensemble of a play, so that song makes NO sense in terms of the context of the show. Thank God it's such a good song, and thank God for dear Megan Sikora (Mario Cantone was good doing his same ol' shtick but Megan upstaged him in every way).
I agree that the fact that Eve is not even part of the title song is horrible. She doesn't even react to the song. There's no moment we see something inside Eve sort of clicking. Ideally she would sing the song herself (though the song is somewhat too joyous to suit Eve's persona), or Eve would join in at some point and perhaps sing it with a darker tone? Something! But as it stands the song is completely and entirely pointless.
Oh, God, and yes "Good Friends" is just...laughable in so many ways, and each of those ways is completely unintentional.
I think Kander & Ebb would have been perfect to fix the score, I can't really think of any current composers that could make it work. Rupert Holmes perhaps?
I thought Davie was great as Eve, but the role is SOOOOOOOOO underwritten that she didn't get to really show much of anything. "The Best Night of My Life" has to be one of the most annoying, awful, ridiculous songs written for a principal character in any musical. Seriously.
"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"
#70

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/22/08 at 12:51am

Not to threadjack, but just how bad was the Stephanie Powers revival?
"A coherent existance after so many years of muddle" - Desiree' Armfelt, A Little Night Music "Life keeps happening everyday, Say Yes" - 70, Girls, 70 "Life is what you do while you're waiting to die" - Zorba
#71

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/22/08 at 2:54am

The whole original cast posed sitting down for a nude photo, just tastefully (and in a few cases risquely) covered in the checkered tablecloths. And by whole cast, I do include Betty Bacall who is covered up. Robert Mandan is the n udest of the bunch (but his Tony isn't showing).

I am looking at the photo right now and it's a gas.
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#72

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 5/22/08 at 4:26pm

Please inform us when "Welcome to the Theater" from the TV production is posted so I don't have to keep checking YouTube for it daily. Thanks so much!
You look absolutely terrific, honestly.
#73

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 6/17/13 at 8:11pm

I was watching the bar scene on YouTube and happened upon this thread. I have a question about the 1973 telecast. Who played the bartender? Just wondering.... RC in Austin, Texas
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#74

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 6/17/13 at 8:23pm

I remember seeing this on television in Melbourne [Aus] as a test telecast for the transition to Colour in 1974?. And I think 2004 It was shown on Foxtel I haven't had Foxtel since '05 so I don't know whether it had bee re-telecast
#75

re: Lauren Bacall in Applause was on television

Posted: 6/17/13 at 8:23pm

I was very young and remember watching it on television. That's when I was "bit" and had to have the stage as part of my life. Great show.
Nice is different than good.

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