Sondheim's "FOLLIES", the movie

As diehard SONDHEIM admirers who live in GLASGOW SCOTLAND we are soon to enjoy a SCOTTISH "star" cast in a GALA CONCERT of this stunning score. It got us thinking about the Follies movie which was talked about in the 1970's and we just had to think about our ideal cast if the idea was revived. Haven't really decided yet but here as some suggestions:

Phyllis: CATHERINE ZETA JONES
Sally: NICOLE KIDMAN
Buddy: NATHAN LANE
Ben: ANTONIO BANDERAS
Young Phyllis: ANN HATHAWAY
Young Sally: CHRISTINA APPLEGATE
Young Buddy: EWAN McGREGOR
Young Ben: JOHN BARROWMAN
Carlotta: SHIRLEY MACLAINE
Stella: BETTE MIDLER
Hattie: DEBBIE REYNOLDS
Heidi: SHIRLEY JONES
Weissman: OMAR SHARIF

DREAM ON................................?

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Young Buddy and Ben aren't exactly that young...

There actually was talk of a movie. The Lincoln Center Library has two scripts for a proposed film in their files. The first resets the film on the sound stages of a motion picture studio being torn down. The second is a more traditional adaptation.

Nicole Kidman would be fabulous in Follies in about ten years...as Phyllis.

Sorry if my "fantasies" of a movie based on a show whose major themes include the passing of time involve actors who are age-appropriate or who at least will be one day. I mean, sure, if we had a de-aging machine- or better yet, a time machine so we could start Mr. McGregor on singing lessons early- those casting ideas might be possibilities. But as it is, there's only so far my imagination will go.

Updated On: 8/12/05 at 02:43 PM

My dream is to see actual Broadway performers do the show, not Hollywood actors who aren't half as good!

Bobby, then you must dream up an audience to go see a movie with no movie stars and an 80 million dollar budget!

Here's who I always wanted:

Phyllis: Goldie Hawn
Sally: Cher
Buddy: Victor Garber
Ben: Pierce Brosnan
Carlotta: Tina Turner
Stella: Liza Minnelli
Hattie: Shelley Winters
Heidi: Barbara Cook
Weissman: Bob Hope (when he was alive)

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GOTHAMPC you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT how could we not have LIZA!!!
She is ABSOLUTELY right for FOLLIES and indeed I think I could fit her in almost any role except young HEIDI!!

I'm just dreaming of her singing "In Buddy's eyes"!

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"There actually was talk of a movie."

Yes, there were plans to make a movie, but it was going to star a bunch of old broads who couldn't sing. I think Bette Davis wanted Carlotta and Joan Crawford wanted Hattie. Sondheim dodged a bullet on that one.

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Dead Dead Dead in the water.

CHER could be PHYLLIS or maybe CARLOTTA???? If I could turn back time she maybe would be young Phyllis!

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EGGBY, this is me in a light mood. Sometimes I just can't help that logic thing. Go ahead; indulge in your fantasy- that doesn't mean it has to make sense to me.

"Her plastic surgery for one. Her lack of vulnerability for two. Her voice for three."

plastic surgery - I'll give you that one.

lack of vulnerability - Cher can handle vulnerability

voice - gee I wish we had computers that could correct people's voices on film. Oh wait a minute, we do!!! How do you think Rene Z made it through Chicago?

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