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Aussie_Seagull
Reviews
The Music Man (2003)
A pleasant musical evening
This movie never made it to network TV in Oz and has just reached pay-TV. Probably a good thing as it would be ruined by commercial breaks.
After the massive disappointments of recent TV versions of Cinderella and South Pacific I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was pretty legitimate to the stage production and on the whole very well done. Some bits were well thought out and better than the 60s movie. An entertaining musical package from start to finish.
Of course Broderick was no Robert Preston - and hardly anyone would be! Prof Hill's role to Preston is like the King of Siam to Yul Bryner. The female lead was OK but it's also hard to go past Shirley Jones.
More please! The Music Man has restored my faith.
Cinderella (1965)
The classic version of Cinderella
I've only seen the 1965 version of R&H's Cinderella once.
I'm not sure why it's listed as 1965 as I'm sure I saw it in 1964.
In Melbourne, our fourth TV channel was about to launch (the first three commencing in 1956). I can remember the launch of ATV10 vividly. I used to watch the test pattern before it officially went to air. For much of the time they played the 1957 CBS LP of Cinderella because the "new" version was in their first week of programming.
I was 15 at the time and managed to record the music on reel to reel tape. I loved all Rogers and Hammerstein's productions and immediately was attracted to the music and lyrics. And one could argue that because everyone already knew the story of Cinderella the entire production almost worked in one's own mind by simply listening to that soundtrack.
It was musically so well done in the original 1957 version. Several years later I found the LP and couldn't buy it quick enough.
I saw the "1965" version and was totally absorbed with it. Arguably it was the best cast to ever perform it. So many stars who were all well cast. Particularly Barbara Ruick and Celeste Holme.
The only bit I've ever seen of the 1957 production is a B+W clip of Julie Andrews singing "In my own little corner". My God I wish I'd seen it live - in colour. I saw it in the TV special : Rogers and Hammerstein - The Sound of Movies.
I enjoyed the 1999 TV version - but I don't think Brandy was strong enough musically - and frankly I thought she was miscast. I also didn't like some changes to the fundamental rhythyms that R&H created.
I can't understand why the R&H version of Cinderella hasn't become as popular as the story itself. I guess this has something to do with the R&H Organisation. It would be a wonderful show for school children to perform.
The 1957 soundtrack is one of my favourites. And I would love to see the 1965 version again. Maybe it wasn't popular in Australia because I can't recall ATV10 ever screening it again. But R&H were very paternalistic over their shows. Possibly too much.
I think R&H's Cinderella will live forever.
A Lovely Night ... indeed!
Gigi (1958)
How did it win 9 Oscars
I've just seen Gigi for the first time.
Musically the arrangements of Andre Previn were wonderful. Though some of the minor songs sounded like they had just been recycled from My Fair Lady.
Most of the cast was fine - except Louis Jourdan was very wooden but sounded OK.
It was done very well - but the story was unsatisfactory - particularly the ending. Gigi would have been better off dumping Gaston and finding a plumber - or someone not so totally conceited.
What amazes me is how did this movie win nine Academy Awards when South Pacific (the same year) only won one?
South Pacific had a far better score, was visually more spectacular, and had much more drama and comedy, plus a satisfactory ending. And Alfred Newman's orchestrations were outstanding.
Gigi - 7/10
South Pacific - 10/10