Movies that Were Better than the show- Page 2

[Muhlethaler]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 10:05pm

Updated On: 8/31/11 at 10:05 PM

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 12:00am

You have a problem with us branching out and including movies that became musicals?

The topic is called "Movies that Were better than the show." All three of those are shining examples of a movie that was better than the show. Who cares which one came first?

And just to jump around a bit:

"The term "I disagree" - That's the main problem with this board.
The topic is about a movie that you think is better than the show. If I think "Evita" is better as a film, that's my opinion, period. Your opinion about anyone's opinion is not part of the discussion. Just list the films you prefer over their stage counterpart and be done with it. Get it?"

...it's called a discussion board. Where people can discuss various topics all related to one general thing (in this case, Broadway). If you look at the person's post, they aren't bashing another person's opinion. They're briefly stating that they disagree, and then moving on to briefly explain why.

And we DID list films we prefer over their stage counterparts. You still bitched. Plug it up, Carrie, plug it up! Then move on.

[BlueRoses321]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 12:22am

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

[dayao]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 12:38am

It is very hard to say that a movie of a stage musical is better than the original as the two are completely different mediums. Nothing compares with the experience of live theater, even if the show and performances are marginal at best. But motion pictures are capable of two things that are impossible in live theater: the ability to allow a musical play to reach a much larger audience and also to record it for posterity, often with the same creative talents that made it so memorable in the first place.

That said there are some movies of Broadway musicals that I enjoy and prefer over the stage originals: Cole Porter’s SILK STOCKINGS, for instance. The 1957 film is much more enjoyable than the rather weak stage show. Ernest Lehman’s script and juxtaposition of certain musical numbers for the 1961 film version of WEST SIDE STORY make for a far more dramatic and concise experience than Arthur Laurents book for the stage version. The film version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is a vast improvement over the stage original, again because of a better script by Ernest Lehman and the inspired casting of Julie Andrews. The same can be said of Carol Reed’s brilliant film of Lionel Bart’s OLIVER. Bob Fosse’s completely reconceived 1972 film of CABARET is far more faithful than the stage original to its source material, Christopher Isherwood’s “I Am a Camera” and Liza Minnelli’s performance is simply exhilarating. The film versions of CALL ME MADAM, THE PAJAMA GAME, DAMN YANKEES, BELLS ARE RINGING and MY FAIR LADY preserve for posterity Ethel Merman, John Raitt, Gwen Verdon, Judy Holliday & Rex Harrison in their most polished performances of roles they originated on stage and no subsequent stage production can compete with these motion pictures in that important aspect.

Updated On: 7/31/08 at 12:38 AM

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 8:03am

I think the movie "Oliver" is 100 times better than the original stage show. The original lacked almost any aura of Dickens.
The movie corrected all of that. From the erie Sowerberries to the very sexy but deadly Bill Sikes, the movie was pratically perfect. Since then, revivals of the musical on stage have tried to change the book and the tone to make it more like the movie.

I also agree with "The Sound of Music" and "Grease",

[Muhlethaler]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 8:52am

Updated On: 8/31/11 at 08:52 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 9:08am

>Since then, revivals of the musical on stage have tried to change the book and the tone to make it more like the movie.<

But I don't think any of the revivals have instituted what is my favorite change in the movie version of Oliver! - the placement of "Oom-Pah-Pah". In the stage version, it is little more than a curtain raiser for the top of Act Two. But in the film version, it is moved to a very late point and is plot driven, with Nancy using the song as a diversion to sneak Oliver out of the Three Cripples without Bill Sykes catching on. So not only is it a rousing number that gives the film a bit of a musical kick late in the proceedings, it also has a dramatic tension driving it that makes it slightly unsettling at the same time. It's a brilliant, brilliant choice, I think.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 10:17am

This is the BROADWAY messgae board, not the MUSICALS message board.

No one ever specified that it had to be a musical movie OR show for that matter.

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 10:17am

The 'Rent' movie was flawless compared to the dismal 'Rent Remixed' they tried to shove down our throats in London.

[ecsnyc22]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 2:01pm

I have to say that after seeing the movie THE BIRD CAGE and loving it, I found myself completely underwhelmed by the revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES.

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 4:51pm

"SweeneyPhanatic, you are one shining example of an useless board member. Your lack of understanding shocks me to no end. Do I care? No."

F*** you, and check your grammar.

"This is the BROADWAY messgae board, not the MUSICALS message board. No one ever specified that it had to be a musical movie OR show for that matter."

Exactly.

"Your lack of understanding shocks me to no end. Do I care? No."

Likewise, a**hole.

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 5:59pm

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Singin' in the Rain

-- these shows don't work for me on stage as well as they do on screen. Especially Singin' in the Rain. I don't think it's possible to top the three leads.

I also think that the movie version of Godspell is perfect. And if they were more alike, I'd say the Cabaret movie is better than the show, but I don't feel comfortable saying that because they're two different creatures.