I live in small town in Kansas. Last year, the local drama club put on a production of Gypsy at the performing arts theater. I have to say, the local production ran circles around this effort. I kept comparing the movie to the local theater and I was awed at how lacking the movie was in comparison.
I love Rosalind Russell from her time playing Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday. Her rapid fire dialogue with Cary Grant was perfect. She was good as Rose, but something just wasn't right about her portrayal. I struggled to accept that she was this cold-hearted. Her version of Rose PLAYED at being cold-hearted, she didn't SEEM cold-hearted. The scenes at her childhood home should have resonated and shown why she was so selfish and self-centered. They seemed to breeze through those scenes.
As an aside, there is a scene near the end of the movie where Rose is contemplating her life. She mentions coming from the wrong side of the tracks. In the local production, as the the actress playing Rose said this, a real train went zipping by the theater as if on cue. The entire audience broke out laughing in what was supposed to be a solemn scene. The actress on stage stayed in character, wept, and mentions so many trains leaving her behind. It was funny and bittersweet at the same time.
Karl Malden was great as Herbie. I was pleased by his performance. His Herbie had the right amount of sensitivity and love, while also eventually resigning himself to the fact Rose was never going to change.
Natalie Wood was a very good Louise. She was so beautiful and it was tragic that she died so young. Again, the actress in the local production had a much better voice, but Ms. Wood had a tremendous stage presence. Her Louise tried so hard to please her mother while knowing deep down, she never would. The scenes between Rose and Louise at the end crackled with emotion.
Paul Wallace as one of the backup dancer's, Tulsa, who Louise falls in love with, was completely wasted. It was obvious Mr. Wallace was hired for his dancing skills (which were awesome and his dance number with Ms. Wood was a delight) but his character is mostly under developed. Inconceivably, the movie version of June runs off with another character while it was Tulsa she departs with in the Broadway version, breaking Louise's heart. Ann Jillian did a really nice job as "Dainty June" considering she was a last minute replacement. Her voice is tremendous. The only awkward thing was having 24-year old Wood pretending to be younger than the 12-year old Jillian. Their dance number to "If Mama was Married" sounded amazing but visually it really stretched credibility.
The cast did a nice job and the movie was very entertaining. However, when it can't compare to a summer stock production (in my opinion), it leaves something to be desired.
I love Rosalind Russell from her time playing Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday. Her rapid fire dialogue with Cary Grant was perfect. She was good as Rose, but something just wasn't right about her portrayal. I struggled to accept that she was this cold-hearted. Her version of Rose PLAYED at being cold-hearted, she didn't SEEM cold-hearted. The scenes at her childhood home should have resonated and shown why she was so selfish and self-centered. They seemed to breeze through those scenes.
As an aside, there is a scene near the end of the movie where Rose is contemplating her life. She mentions coming from the wrong side of the tracks. In the local production, as the the actress playing Rose said this, a real train went zipping by the theater as if on cue. The entire audience broke out laughing in what was supposed to be a solemn scene. The actress on stage stayed in character, wept, and mentions so many trains leaving her behind. It was funny and bittersweet at the same time.
Karl Malden was great as Herbie. I was pleased by his performance. His Herbie had the right amount of sensitivity and love, while also eventually resigning himself to the fact Rose was never going to change.
Natalie Wood was a very good Louise. She was so beautiful and it was tragic that she died so young. Again, the actress in the local production had a much better voice, but Ms. Wood had a tremendous stage presence. Her Louise tried so hard to please her mother while knowing deep down, she never would. The scenes between Rose and Louise at the end crackled with emotion.
Paul Wallace as one of the backup dancer's, Tulsa, who Louise falls in love with, was completely wasted. It was obvious Mr. Wallace was hired for his dancing skills (which were awesome and his dance number with Ms. Wood was a delight) but his character is mostly under developed. Inconceivably, the movie version of June runs off with another character while it was Tulsa she departs with in the Broadway version, breaking Louise's heart. Ann Jillian did a really nice job as "Dainty June" considering she was a last minute replacement. Her voice is tremendous. The only awkward thing was having 24-year old Wood pretending to be younger than the 12-year old Jillian. Their dance number to "If Mama was Married" sounded amazing but visually it really stretched credibility.
The cast did a nice job and the movie was very entertaining. However, when it can't compare to a summer stock production (in my opinion), it leaves something to be desired.