esrosedotblog

TRIPLE

Today's movie is a three bagger. Not only is it (one) a perfect Broadway musical comedy flawlessly translated to film; it is seen (two) in a year when the Red Sox beat the in-clutch Yankees and (three) at a time when the Washington Senators, the team featured in this musical, came home at last in the form of the Nationals. Too bad about the name.

George Abbott was the master musical maker and he is in rare form in this production of Damn Yankees (1958). He has used the original cast except for the addition of Tab Hunter as Shoeless Joe Hardy, the man who sells his soul to the devil to win the pennant for his favorite team. And, the great choreographer for the show Bob Fosse, dances in one number with Gwen Verdon. They were also married. Ray Walston is Applegate, the devil. He was later a martian or something.

The other thing; they have adhered to the book and, except for scenes on the playing field, the sets are very much like on the stage; just a little bigger. Same designers actually.

When you hear someone my age talk about the way musical theater used to be, you could take a look at this film to show you what we mean.

I saw this on the stage in 1954 or 55. My friend Jean Stapleton was in it. It was her first big break and she is in the movie. You can see the beginnings of Edith Bunker in her style; the comical sidekick.

The whole thing just rolls along; tight as a drum. The songs are great and everyone sings for real. I will give it a 5 out of Netflix5.