Midler Gypsy Movie- Page 3

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 11:35am

I don't loathe the Russell/Wood film as much as the authors do, but I think Roz' casting was a HUGE mistake. She acts the role fine, but the score DEMANDS a strong singer. And since so much of Rose is delivered through those songs, neither Roz's attempts or Lisa Kirk's disembodied vocals come close to making it work. Every time Roz opens her mouth to sing, the film just stops dead.

As for the TV version: Midler is the first to admit she can be a handful, especially if she gets scared that there is not someone strong in charge. It was just a sad state of affairs that Emile Ardolino (who also directed "Dirty Dancing") was so sick at the time that Bette didn't feel she had a strong director helping guide the performance -- so she just pushed along through sheer will and it shows in her performance. She totally "gets" the role when singing it (far more than Bernadette did, IMHO), but shows the need for a strong director in the scene work.

Also remember that since this was a TV movie, the budget was small, and shooting time was extremely limited. But it was a ratings bonanza when it premiered, and paved the way for the TV verions of BYE BYE BIRDIE, ANNIE and CINDERELLA.

After doing GYPSY, Midler was asked to to a TV version of MAME, to which she is supposed to have responded, "What do you want me to do? Remake every f****** musical ever made?"

We can only imagine what Judy Garland in her prime could have done with it.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 12:02pm

I agree 100% with PJ. Bette in my opinion just sings brassy through the entire score, practically every note sounding the same. I didn't think she added any sort of layer to the character at all, unlike BP who actually added some uniqueness to her role.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 12:33pm

Never seen it, but always wanted to. I have listened to the music and Midler sings the heck out of "Rose's Turn"

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 12:51pm

I love that film... thought it was way better than the current revival. Bette was fab I thought.
Just curious, who's better? Bette or Angela?

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 12:55pm

I saw the Lansbury revival twice and she was amazing. Anyone who says (including the author) that Bernadette was the first to use sex appeal in getting what Rose wanted is dead wrong.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 1:39pm

To those of you who haven't read Gypsy's Memoirs, should read it.

[Pippin]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 1:44pm

Just found out today that the Prince Music Theatre in Philly will be putting up Gypsy next season for the Holiday season. no word of casting that I know of.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:23pm

I thought Midler's Rose was sexy too. I mean how can the Divine Miss M not be? I also thought that Linda Lavin was pretty sexy in the role too.

Go with the Midler version as it is pretty much the stage production.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:25pm

We also have to consider it was a CBS holiday movie, so the network probably had a huge hand in making it brighter and cheerier than one would expect. Also take in the speed in which they had to make the movie. That said, there are some questionable casting and direction choices, but Bette shines throughout. Even Bernie P. wasn't strong and nuanced at early previews, but she had the benefit of being able to play the role eight times a week.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 3:39pm

Bette belts the crap out of Everything's Coming Up Roses, and it's a pretty amazing version.

I think it's a pretty good movie, now that I've been watching it more.

Her Rose's Turn is stunning.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 4:20pm

I love both versions. I wanted to stand and applaud after Roz's Rose's Turn, I love when all the lights blink with Rose's on the back part of the stage. Having them blink in many different forms, adds something to the song. But I do love the Bette version too. I couldn't choose. I love all the versions on CD, and I got to see Bernadette and that was my first glimpse into Gypsy and it's now become my favorite musical ever!

[DBillyP]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 4:32pm

I didn't realize that this is an old thread and kind of freaked when I saw convinceme2 on the first page ...

[Contributor]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 4:37pm

The DVD has an excellent commentary by the filmmakers...especially enjoyable for musical theater buffs. (Know anyone like that?)

Here is BWW's interview from last summer with Tulsa:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=4198

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 4:40pm

Did anyone get a chance to see Joyce DeWitt's Mama Rose? Was she able to pull it off?

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 4:46pm

Broadhurst looked very sexy in the movie as Tulsa.

And is still quite a good looking man.

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 5/18/06 at 6:15pm

I absolutely love Bette, and she sang that crap out of this score. I could totally picture Bette in Rose, because she tends to play characters like that, overbearing until they get what they want. As ljay said she does sing the hell out of those songs. I like it alot.

Posted: 5/18/06 at 6:19pm

I love Bette , don't love the movie. Still, I had to get it because I love Gypsy.

[WhenURScrap]

Posted: 5/19/06 at 8:02pm

I love Midler as Mama Rose ... why did they never cast her on Broadway?!