Your favorite Momma Rose... — Page 2

Maggie R., an unknown. She is a director I assist and do scenic designs for. I believe she is a reincarnated Mama Rose, you would say the same if you meet her. I am still trying to get to to put on a production of GYPSY so she could star in and I could direct.

But to go with the flow of the thread, BETTE MIDLER!!!

I'm sorry - but Roz could most certainly sing. She had a VERY deep alto, and Rose was out of her range. Roz did great with Ruth's songs in WT. She got a well deserved Golden Globe for her Rose.

Lansbury's "Rose's Turn" is quite amazing. I also enjoy Peter's and Merman's version of the song. And I think Roz acted the hell of the song in the movie.

ljay889 --

FYI, roughly half of Russell's singing in the movie was dubbed by Broadway actress/singer Lisa Kirk. I believe all of "Mr. Goldstone," "Small World" and the talk-singing moments of the score were Russell, most of the real, sustained singing moments were Kirk's (especially in "Everything's Coming Up Rose's" and the latter half of "Rose's Turn"). If you hear a deep resonant voice holding notes at any point in the film, THAT'S Kirk, not Russell.

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i absolutely loved bernadette's rose. i thought it was perfectly brilliant the evening i saw it.

I have to say I love watching Russell (admittedly in Auntie Mame mode) as Rose. For me, her interpretation is completely valid (even if she didn't actually sing large chunks of the score). Yes, Russell can "sing" (she had no range but decent pitch), but obviously there's an ENORMOUS difference between the demands of singing Ruth and singing Rose.

There are old-timers who saw Merman and because of that HATE Russell in the film. I wasn't even born when Merman did the show or when the subsequent film came out, so my opinion or Merman and Russell's performances are based of the video and CDs of each. To be sure, Russell certainly did "act the hell" out of the role and deserves probably a little more respect than she typically gets for her performance. But, for me, the sheer intensity and freedom that Merman brings to the part is still completely unmatched 40+ years later.

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"Daly was No worse than she ever was onstage. Onstage it didn't seem as bad because you were watching her act it. With the recording, all you have is the voice.."

Possibly but I had heard the CD before seeing the show and the day I saw it - the day before the Tony awards - her voice did not give out the way it does in places on the CD. (To be fair, she had missed many performances the week before the cast album was recorded.)


As for Russell, the new CD on Rhino has Russell's original tracks for "Small World", "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and 2-3 others. Even her pitch is unsteady. "Mr Goldstone" was a lively number with her racing around the room so pitch wasn't as essential. In teh move, she is great in the dramtic scenes but in some of the comedy scenes she sems to push too hard. As for her Ruth in WONDERFUL TOWN, sure she sounds fine singing those songs but they were tailored to her voice and limited range. Also she was 10 years younger then.

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I have to say Bernadette

Margo. On a Gypsy review on Amazon. Someone said they heard Merman would acquire a set of Roz's singing tracks and play them at parties, when the subject of Gypsy would come up.

I've heard about this. Is there any truth to it?

Also, I'm curious what you thought of Wood's Louise in the film.

Updated On: 7/16/05 at 03:49 PM

You know. I can understanding Merman being upset she didn't get the role in the film. It would've been great to have had her performance to watch whenever we wanted.

I agree. I really thought Natalie made the perfect transition from tomboy to sexy stripper.

For sheer entertainment value, no one beats Kay Medford's Rose.

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I think there is one Momma Rose and one only and that is Ethel Merman. That role was for her! It is like no one else but Yul Brynner will ever be the king in the King and I.

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I can only speak about the Rose's I've seen. I'm going to have to go with Russell (no disrespect to Merman).
Natalie Wood is my all time favorite "Louise/Gypsy". I don't think anyone can touch her in that role.