What Happened To The A CHORUS LINE Film?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:33pm

I haven't seen it on stage. I have seen the film which was broadcast on the AMC channel many years ago and it turned my away from the show completely, aside from a great, catchy score.

A year ago, I discovered that the show was completely different. That the film was drastically changed.

WHAT HAPPENED that turned this legendary Broadway show into a flop movie?

I cannot wait until the Broadway revival for next season. I'll finally be able to see what the rave is all about.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:35pm

One of my favorites! The movie most certainly didn't do it ANY justice!

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 12:32am

The movie has some good stuff even though its not exactly like the stage version.

I like the movie version song of " Dance 10, Looks 3" aka "Tits and Ass" better then the stage version.

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 12:52am

I don't know what happened specifically with that stage-to-film transformation. I loved the stage show and was disappointed with the movie, but it's been so long since I've seen it that it's difficult to comment. However, they are such very different mediums that I think it's always tricky to pull off, especially with something as theatrical as A Chorus Line. What's hardest seems to be the "showstopping" number, because you can't stop a movie (in that way) and the audience knows that its response makes no difference.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 1:01am

I saw the DVD in Duane Reade tonight for $9.99. Not a good sign.

[pab]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 1:08am

The following website has some thoughts on the this subject:


Link

Updated On: 4/25/05 at 01:08 AM

[TonyBWay]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 1:56am

When you are doing a show that deals with actors and the theatre it is very hard to transfer that to a screen, big or small. Seeing A CHORUS LINE in a live theatre, you feel all of their stories (and songs for that matter) in a true arena.

The movie had several flaws. Numerous bad actors, sloppy cuts, the fact that it was an 80s movie (I should stop there), and a large part dealt with it taking the heart out of what the story is about. It truly is one of the worst movie musicals to date, but many find it to be a guilty pleasure. (VHS was going for $2.99 a while back)

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 1:55pm

the opening number worked surprisingly well in the film, I thought.....and then it was very disappointing. The director, Richard Attenborough, was clearly NOT the person to bring this to film. The "script" changes (the Cassie arriving from the taxi-kinda "star like,"----Which had been in the workshops at the Shakespeare festival and quickly dropped--------Donna McKechnie said, "If I enter after everybody else with a mink coat on and stuff, the audience will hate me!" She was right. As we know, Cassie is there when A CHORUS LINE begins onstage. Foolish of them to change that in the film.)
Also, just poor choices in many places.........Losing the montage...Hello 12, Hello 13 in favor of that song "Surprise," losing THE MUSIC and The Mirror and adding a song, Let Me Dance for You(was that the title?) -- Why on earth would they cut The Music and The Mirror from A CHORUS LINE?? how odd......They turned What I did For Love into a kind of love song to do with Cassie and Zach. Yuch, how foolish. In the show What I Did For Love is about love of dance, performing and theater......
Tons of bad choices in this film. Hopefully a superior film version will be made some day.:)

Updated On: 4/25/05 at 01:55 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 4:53pm

Well; Donna happens to be a client and long time friend of mine. I have never heard of this story.. but that does not mean it is not true. Can you please tell me where you heard this?


And by the way all you New Yorkers ; Donnas cabaret show is currently running in NY at a place called AU BAR thru May 1st. Check it out and tell her the hussy sends her a big kiss.

[magruder]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:00pm

Looking on the bright side, at least the film shows off the interior of the Mark Hellinger Theatre.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:03pm

It makes one respect chicago even more

[DAME]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:08pm

Oh god I miss the Mark Hellinger. The last thing I saw there was Grind which was awful. I also got to attend the tonys there the year Me and My Girl was nominated and Angela Lansbury hosted.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:17pm

It also shows the marquee for the original production of La Cage aux Folles...but that's about the only positive thing I have to say about it. I saw the tour as a 12 year old and cried. I saw the movie as an 18 year old and laughed.

[magruder]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:20pm

Ah, Grind. That show was not without its virtues. I wouldn't call it awful. It was ambitious, had some attractive songs, and was beautifully designed, with first-rate orchestrations by the late Billy Byers. (When the set spun around for the first time after the opening number, to reveal the entire backstage of the burlesque house at once, my jaw hit the floor.) It was very oddly constructed in that almost nothing happened in Act One, and then EVERYTHING happened in Act Two, to the point of ridiculousness, including Stubby Kaye's character's suicide, and the IRA bomber subplot. Still, I won't ever forget it.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:32pm

A CHORUS LINE was part of my bad movie musicals festival this past weekend.

[Marquise]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:40pm

I read the Donna McKechnie story in the book: "A Chorus Line and The Musicals of Michael Bennett" by Ken Mandelbaum.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 6:02pm

It got butchered

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 6:48pm

i kind of liked the movie...not the singing so much...but the acting! can't wait for the pre-bwy tryout in SF!!

[jam_man]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 6:54pm

Hi! I've been reading a lot of stuff on this site for a while, but I just joined after seeing this thread.

One of the biggest reasons the movie for A Chorus Line is so bad is because Micheal Bennett walked out. He was given little to no artistic say in the movie, until one day, he was so mad, he left a sign on his door saying 'Out to Lunch,' and never came back.

[Justice]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 6:59pm

Most vignette shows like A Chorus Line, or even Hair, don't transfer too well on film. Same thing with Sarafina - although I love that movie, I would have rather seen it on stage.

[CJR]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 7:01pm

Ugh-- the only reason to even consider watching ACL: The Movie is for Vicki Frederick as Sheila.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 7:10pm

The main flaw is that they took an ensemble show and turned it into a star vehicle. The show is about these dancers and "what they did for love," but when they make it about Cassie and Zach getting together (and her gross crazy wig in the flashback) it ruins what the show is about. It's MY opinion why when a regional company wants to do the show they're basically required to keep the show the same as it was on Broadway. All the songs they added were second-rate, the orchestrations are AWFUL, and the heart of the piece just isn't there anymore. If only Michael Bennett was still around so that he could direct it the right way, with original choreography.

[Justice]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 7:29pm

Personally, i like that movie. I always feel sorry for the ones that get cut. Sure, it has some bad moments, but let's not leave out the greats like Pam Klinger (very nice person who I met while she was in Tommy), Janet Jones* (married to Wayne Gretsky, and does some great gymnastics in "American Anthem"), and Bob Fosse's daughter, Nicole.
Yes, it is a guilty pleasure of mine, and I can find many faults in the film, but I still enjoy watching it from time to time.


*Edited for correction

Updated On: 4/25/05 at 07:29 PM

[DTBG2]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 7:30pm

I liked the movie also...and i love Marquise's Mariah icon.
Updated On: 4/25/05 at 07:30 PM

[CJR]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 7:33pm

Jennifer Jones (married to Wayne Gretsky, and does some great gymnastics in "American Anthem")

You mean Janet Jones.