So I am watching "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and the opening sequence (Kate Chapshaw singing "Anything Goes" in Mandarin in a nightclub) got me thinking that maybe Spielberg should tackle a movie musical next.
The cinematography was very Busby Berkley-esque (fitting with the 30s time period).
What movie musical should he try?
I was thinking "Nine", but that's already been tackled (hopefully well). Should be something with intelligence and a good sense of musicality.
A remake of "Little Night Music" perhaps? This time Liz can play Mdme. Arnfeldt...just kidding (can you imagine her rendition of "Liasions"?)
Spielberg directed HOOK, which was originally going to be a musical.
I think RAGTIME is a great project for him. In fact, I don't think I would want him to direct anything else. Perhaps THE SECRET GARDEN. Perhaps THE COLOR PURPLE. Slightly perhaps LES MISERABLES.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I'd LOVE to see a Spielberg "Ragtime". That idea has a lot of potential. The musical already feels so cinematic in scope that I think it would naturally lend itself to film.
Personally, I'd still rather see someone like Tim Burton or Baz Luhrmann tackle "Into the Woods".
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While the idea of a Spielberg PARADE is intriguing, I don't see him doing it as much justice as other directors could do.
Ron Howard I think would do PARADE better, but I still wouldn't want Ron Howard to direct it neither.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I've always thought "Parade" would be a terrific movie musical with the right director. With the subject matter tough, I can't see it being a big budget studio picture. I'd love to see an indie company take it on.
"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars
"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290
I'm curious to see what he would do with Miss Saigon, which I'm surprised has never come up nearly as often as some others in talks of potential movie musicals. When I listen to the cast recording I often visualize it far more as a cinematic piece than I do as a staged production. Imagine the long, slow pan from a close up of the statue of Ho Chi Minh to a great wide shot during the "This is the moment" after Kim shoots Thuy. Or the shots of the helicopter leaving the embassy. A talented director with a gifted cinematographer could produce a visually stunning movie with that material.
The opening sequence of "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" was actually supposed to be much bigger than what was filmed. Kate Capshaw had learned to dance for the number but when she got her costume they realized it was so tight there was no way she could dance in it. So, it was scaled down to what you see in the film today.
I think "Ragtime" would be a perfect vehicle for him. Though I wouldn't mind to see him tackle lighter fare. While his films are more serious he actually seems to have a "musical comedy" mentality about him. If you've ever seen him in "behind the scenes" specials you'll know what I mean.
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We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
Yeah, right, let's all hold our breaths until Mendes actually makes that film of FOLLIES.
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