Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical- Page 2

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 10:36pm

I have not heard the soundboard, Phyllis, (if you know how I can go about doing that I would be entirely grateful) but I have read both the original and revised scripts. Whereas the revised script IS more drab than the original, the original script is not very funny. Most laughs that the show got must have been due to line delivery, because there are very few moments that I, and many others I know who have read both scripts (and are far older than me, in case you were wondering if this were an age-bias), find funny. In addition, I think that only Sondheim's songs give real depth or warmth to the characters (with the exception of Sally's lines about not washing the dishes when she left the house at the end of the show).

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 10:46pm

It very well could be line delivery. I think the soundboard was a preview as well. I only have the revised script in print (I lost the original a while ago and haven't yet replaced it), but I think there are some variations between the soundboard and the published 1971 script. Not anything very drastic, though.

I don't think adding a titch more levity to the proceedings is a bad idea at all. I just hope that - if the damn movie really does get made - it's true to the original book, instead of trying to reinvent it.

I just HATE that the references to Sally trying to kill herself are cut. And I HATE the fact that the partygoers return at the end in the revised version.


Updated On: 5/6/08 at 10:46 PM

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 10:54pm

Follies is one of my favorite Sondheim score. If done right, I think it could be quite good. I hoped the book isn't drastically changed in order for it to be adapted to film.

[jam_man]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 11:29pm

For realz?

Or are they just being kind?

[lesmis]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 6:03am

I am reading Everything Was Possible right now. I would love to see this movie.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 6:41am

ive been daydreaming about what David Lynch's take on FOLLIES would be....

...at least, visually.

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 7:02am

I will reiterate my support for Vanessa Williams as Phyllis, and I think Kevin Kline would make a terrific Buddy. Might they drag out the likes of a Debbie Reynolds or Shirley MacLaine for some of the other roles?

Updated On: 5/7/08 at 07:02 AM

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 7:47am

Can someone ban Glenn Close from the production?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 9:27am

I'll drink to that!

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 9:56am

Dick Van Dyke with either Julie Andrews or Mary Tyler Moore for Rain On The Roof?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 3:05pm

Or maybe Steve and Eydie?

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 5:23pm

I was just thinking...can they transfer "Buddy's Blues" effectively onto film? It'd be a challenge, and I'd love to see it work.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 5:27pm

I don't see why not. I don't think it would be any more difficult than anything else in the Loveland sequence.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 5:28pm

True. I really would love to see them take advantage of the humor in that song, and have a male do all of the "female" parts. I believe it was originally done that way in the Boston Tryout, and it would be hilarious on-screen.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 5:41pm

'Buddy's Blues' could work on film. The easiest to transfer from LOVELAND will definitely be 'Losing My Mind' - the song could work in fantasy or real time.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 5:48pm

sondheimgeek-are you referring to two men in drag playing "Margie" and "Sally", which is what the original production did out of town, or the one man doing all of it ala Patinkin in the concert?

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 6:17pm

Wickedfan, I'm referring to the two men in drag, except now that I come to think of it, that would look incredibly bad on-screen. Perhaps a spin on the solo version? I think it could work as long as it's not Mandy.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 6:38pm

Ahh. Yeah, I never liked the concept of two men doing the two parts. The solo version could work if Buddy were sort of made up as a clown and it weren't done so maniacally as Patinkin. My guess, though, is that they're going to stick with the original with the two women filling in.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 6:41pm

That probably is the best way, but I can't help but wonder...

I wonder what would be cut from the show?

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 6:52pm

Probably some of the best songs for the sake of what will entertain the larger movie-going audience.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 6:57pm

I couldn't agree more.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 8:56pm

It's still far enough away that we can still dream, though. :)

I think a verse could be cut from Ah Paree and Broadway Baby, and most of the dance break of The Right Girl. Or that whole song. I just don't like it. Rosecoe HATES when I suggest this, I could see "One More Kiss" being cut. Yeah, it really hits the theme of the show home but you could lift it right out and be none the worse for wear.

I think the ghost/memories could be really effective on screen. Imagine the young four in a translucent black and white until Loveland where they pop in technicolor.

Speaking of the ghosts, I think the movie could really play up the what I think are the supernatural aspects of the show. Is the theatre haunted? Did Loveland really happen? Did the evening really happen?

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 8:58pm

I think most of the real time songs will survive

especially

- Don't Look At me
- In Buddy's Eyes
- Too Many Mornings
- Could I leave you?

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 8:59pm

"Imagine the young four in a translucent black and white until Loveland where they pop in technicolor."

What an idea! You have to get connected somehow to the film. From what I've read in the thread your ideas are not something to pass up.

I would hate it if 'One More Kiss' was cut, but I could definitely see why it would be. It does really add depth to the show though, and it's just an enchanting song.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 9:06pm

Just the other night I thought to myself, "Why didn't I freakin' go to film school so I could be the one directing the Follies movie?" Or at the least write the screenplay. Jeesh!

Thanks for the kind words. I got a zillion ideas about this movie.

I think since all the book songs are contained (unlike a show like Dreamgirls, which is heavy on recitative) that most of them SHOULD be able to survive.

As I said before, it's a musical! Let them sing. If the film has to be stylized (a la Sweeney) to "justify" the book songs, so be it. I don't want realism. I want grandeur and splendor.