OLD MOVIE MUSICALS??? — Page 2

Jo,

Kiss Me, Kate (from your list) was also a stage musical first.

Ethan Mordden writes great books on Bway musicals. He breaks them down by decade, so there is a whole series. He hasn't been going in order, but I believe that he has gotten through the '70's at this point.

ABC is already in production for their newest musical remake, Fiddler. I trust it will be on par with their Music Man.

Instead of remaking classic films (musical or otherwise), I'd prefer to see rereleases of the best. It's much cheaper to do, so there is much better chance of making a profit for the studios. They've had some success with Vertigo and Funny Girl. I also like it when the Film Forum plays Kiss Me, Kate in its original 3D format!

Part of the problem is film directors ALWAYS think they could "improve" on a production cos of course THEIR input would make it so.Alternatively, Production co.'s like the idea of using already avail material and using contemporary performers to make the show "relevant" .It can work but "softly softly catchee monkey" When they did the Van Sant remake of Psycho while using Hitchcocks shot list it showed how BOTH concepts can fail miserably. I find if the director is familiar with the medium(live musical) there is a better chance of success.

Jo- also check out the store next to (or near?) the St. James Theatre. They have an extensive book and script selection. More so than most of the other Broadway shops.

Suleen, I have a hunch that the TV "Fiddler" is off.

And even though he's theoretically right for the role (being of Russian Jewish origin) I still can't envision hunk-a-licious Victor Garber as shnooky put-upon Tevye.

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