esrosedotblog

WELL, MAYBE NOT NEVER

I aroused some comment with my remarks about movie remakes of Broadway hits. I have to step back.

There are some good movie transfers. One mentioned in the comment is How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

OK.

Also, maybe West Side Story.

My own list would include Damn Yankees.

Interesting that these transported almost all the elements of the original show; cast, directors, music.

Another thing. If you never saw or heard the original show (on record or DVD) then there is no point discussing it. And, it is all subjective.

Usually the transfer problems are the same: substitution of stars for box office purposes, over production of the music from the pit band arrangements to stringy echo chambered full orchestras, dubbing, taking the show 'outside' off a stage which strains the suspension of disbelief even more.

Incidentally, there are some movie musicals that did not successfully move to Broadway!

Singing in the Rain comes to mind. And most recently a Disney transfer flopped; Tarzan with an American Idol guy who was really something to look at.