Question about CATS video recording

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:07pm

Okay, I am watching this right now and am doing research on CATS on my laptop. I was never really interested in the show until I first saw this video; I read on some sites that it is a recording like how LEGALLY BLONDE was for MTV and RENT 's final performance, and that it is a movie-musical, but actually set on the stage. What is the official story or what you all think? Is it a "entirety recording" or a "film"? Again, I don't know that much about the show and wanted some ideas. Thanks.
Updated On: 3/3/09 at 09:07 PM

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:15pm

The CATS recording is actually quite different than LB. It isn't a filming of any set production and was comprised of a cast chosen by Cam Mac. There were only 3 cast members from the US (Ken Page (Old D), Jacob Brent (Misto), & Michael Gruber (Munku)) in the whole video. John Mills (Gus) was never in a production, and almost legally blind, when they filmed it. This was one of the reasons "Growltiger" was omitted from the video. The entire cast was sent to London to film it at The New London Theatre over the course of 2 weeks. Another interested tidbit, the characters of Skimbleshanks & Jemima were dubbed over in "The Railway Cat" & "Memory" respectively.

[morosco]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:21pm

Wasn't it shot at London's Adelphi Theatre?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:22pm

The entire Growltiger sequence is left out which is a shame. They should have filmed Growltiger with a younger actor.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:27pm

Was it? It seems unnecessary when they had the London production a few blocks away. I am pissed that Growltiger got left out. I was young when I first saw the show & didn't remember, then I grew up on the tape. When I saw it again in 2004, freaked out when Gus ripped off his blanket & the music started up. It was traumatizing for a 12 year old.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:30pm

Thanks TimeSquare3! That helps... so I guess it would be considered a film. lol. I noticed that Growltiger was on the OBCR on iTunes and it was not in the movie. I ripped the audio from the DVD and don't wanna listen to the OBCR! haha. As much as I love fellow Fort Worthian Betty Buckley... IDK. I am not even sure if SHE is on it because I have not heard it.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:32pm

The audio to Growtiger is on Youtube. It starts out terrifying & gets very beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmSp73HVpcA&feature=related

There is a making of on the Special Edition DVD if you want it I can rip it for you.

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 09:32 PM

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:32pm

Was it recorded AT ALL for the video?

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:34pm

Nope, not at all. Which is stupid because they have another Gus playing him in the rest of the video. Not to mention that John Mills basically talk-sang his song.

There is a "making of" on the Special Edition DVD if you want it I can rip it for you.

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 09:34 PM

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:36pm

Yeah, I thought I would like "Gus, the Theatre Cat" because... well... of the TITLE. lol. I am in love with "The Aweful Battle of the PekEs and the Pollicles", though. It is stuck in my head all of the time. BARK BARK BARK It should be in EVERY production. It wasn't according to my drama teacher who saw it at Dallas Summer Musicals, but it was when my friend Karli saw it at Bass Hall a few months ago. Updated On: 3/3/09 at 09:36 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:37pm

He's like Joan Collins in that horrific Joseph DVD.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:37pm

It was filmed at the Adelphi not the New London. The video is not very complete. It's missing a lot of material most noticeably "Growltiger", but also some cuts during "The Old Gumbie Cat", "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" and "Mr. Mistoffelees". It also doesn't include the orchestral finale and the bows which includes a few reprises. Betty Buckley is on the original Broadway cast recording.
Updated On: 3/3/09 at 09:37 PM

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:40pm

I want to listen to it now, but I don't want anything to compare it with the video audio. lol. I get so used to a certain one, I can't hear others.

You can rip it for me! :) I would love to see how it came to be.

I always wondered what CATS was about because when I was a few years old, the trailer was on one of my Barney the Dinosaur videos and I loved the music. It took me 11 years to finally listen and watch it! lol.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:42pm

Gus The Theatre Cat is another reason to get the OBCR. It is really nice in a performance but John murdered it.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:42pm

Again, he's like Joan Collins. Did it as a favor to ALW, was horrific.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:43pm

"When I saw it again in 2004, freaked out when Gus ripped off his blanket & the music started up. It was traumatizing for a 12 year old."

So that makes you, like, the age of a fetus..?

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:48pm

jacob-
Betty Buckley is most certainly on the OBCR, as are a few others you should know:
Ken Page (Oogie Boogie in "Nightmare Before Christmas")
Terrence Mann (Javert in "Les Misérables," and Larry in the ACL film)

And, a few recognizable theatre names:
Harry Groener as Munkustrap
Anna McNealy as Jennyanydots
Scott Wise as Macavity

Buckley is worth the price of the CD alone, IMHO.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:48pm

That would make me 17, dip sh*t. Run along Michael Yo.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:48pm

Gus, the Theatre Cat is really a nice piece when done properly.

"I'd extemporize backchat, I knew how to gag, and I knew how to let the cat out of the bag". T.S. was brilliant.

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 09:48 PM

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:49pm

Respect your elders, kid.

Thanks.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:52pm

I don't respect anyone who can't add 12 and 5.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:55pm

= 18?

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:55pm

TimeSquare, looks like we have another song for TOODARNHOT: The Musical Experience!

Check out the "off-Broadway" thread.

[winston89]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:55pm

However, as Charlie has done a good job of showing us. Some elders aren't worth respect.


The video is something that I haven't really been able to get through from start to finish. I do know that it is up on Youtube song by song. I have liked what I have seen. I will admit that even though I do like Cats I can only take it in bits and peaces. I don't think that it is a CD or a show that I can listen to or see from start to finish. I do like some songs here and there though.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:59pm

Cats used to be my favorite show before I saw anything else. I'd still like to see it again.