tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post1415526554993749676..comments2024-03-23T21:46:50.843-04:00Comments on the passionate moviegoer: the turner validationjoe baltakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-56738925936199749352018-11-12T23:57:53.648-05:002018-11-12T23:57:53.648-05:00The story I had heard was the Sinatra was hired, b...The story I had heard was the Sinatra was hired, but when he went to record the songs someone (probably Lerner) tried to tell him how to sing and he bolted. As much as I love other Lerner and Lowe scores, this movie has never worked for me.bufffilmbuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15454063008795323255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-27434169136836131152018-11-12T21:04:33.367-05:002018-11-12T21:04:33.367-05:00In his memoir, Donen wrote that Frank Sinatra want...In his memoir, Donen wrote that Frank Sinatra wanted to play the role of the pilot in "The Little Prince," but Donen didn't want to work with him again. He wanted Gene Hackman for the role. That would have been interesting. Richard Kiley, of course, ultimately played the part.b. sandersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-58313742385467567612018-11-12T20:54:17.244-05:002018-11-12T20:54:17.244-05:00I've read that "The Little Prince" h...I've read that "The Little Prince" had a bumpy production history. Alan Jay Lerner reportedly disapproved of how the score was treated. I do know that the film's brief 88-minute running time has always been suspect.Sheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-39062326341446914932018-11-12T11:29:04.667-05:002018-11-12T11:29:04.667-05:00James- Stanely Donen and Elaine May have been a co...James- Stanely Donen and Elaine May have been a couple, reportedly, since 1999. May's screenplay that you mention, once slated to be directed by Donen, was announced back in 2002. But nothing came of it. Too bad. I would have loved to experience this rare collaboration. Donen is now 95, I believe, and it's unlikely that he will direct another film. Again, too bad. He is one of my favorites. BTW, I also saw "The Little Prince" at the Music Hall's 1974 Christmas show; perhaps we saw it on the same day! (I still have my Radio City Showplace program, along with the souvenir program for the movie itself). I like the film, largely because of the source material. Donen was going for something small and arty, which I appreciate. My favorite sequence in the film is the Gene Wilder bit as the Fox. I like Fosse's number, too, but by that point, I had grown weary of his Jazz Hands signature moves. I preferred his choreography when it was less mannered. But that's just me. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-61423447481996053442018-11-11T17:29:31.339-05:002018-11-11T17:29:31.339-05:00Not a fan of THE LITTLE PRINCE except for the Foss...Not a fan of THE LITTLE PRINCE except for the Fosse number. It was the attraction the one time I have been to Radio City Music Hall... a very long time ago. It played with the Xmas show which certainly compensated. I read a rumor recently the Donen now lives with Elaine May and that she has written a screenplay for him to direct. The latter would be very unlikely, but who knows? May is appearing on broadway in a play.bufffilmbuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15454063008795323255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-12636300089594611502018-11-09T10:37:36.999-05:002018-11-09T10:37:36.999-05:00James- Apologies for the tardy reply, but I've...James- Apologies for the tardy reply, but I've been busy checking to see if my interview is available on-line. It ran in 1974 and appears to have not made the on-line archives yet. I may still have my tearsheet of it. If I find it, I'll post it. Donen and I discussed a lot about his lengthy career at the time, but the focus, not unexpectedly, was on "The Little Prince," the reason for the interview. At this point, I can't recall if his reminiscences about "The Pajama Game," "Damn Yankees" or even "Singin' in the Rain" that it into the published interview. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-57332380166256387362018-11-07T23:12:29.327-05:002018-11-07T23:12:29.327-05:00Interesting. Would love to read that interview wi...Interesting. Would love to read that interview with Donen. Is it available online? I think THE PAJAMA GAME is pretty much perfect... the only thing about it I wish were different is that it was shot in WarnerColor, which drops the visual quality a bit. This one is certainly long overdue for a blu ray release.bufffilmbuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15454063008795323255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-85248374762842588682018-11-07T06:10:57.915-05:002018-11-07T06:10:57.915-05:00Hi James- I understand your misgiving. I interview...Hi James- I understand your misgiving. I interviewed Stanley Donen during the 1970s in conjunction with the release of "The Little Prince." He told me. We discussed "The Pajama Game" at length. If you listen closely to Day's songs, particularly "I'm Not at All in Love," in the film - and especially when isolated on the soundtrack album - you will hear ambient sounds which would not be present if she had pre-recorded. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-80022885465952110522018-11-06T22:56:50.520-05:002018-11-06T22:56:50.520-05:00While I share your enthusiasm for PAJAMA GAME, our...While I share your enthusiasm for PAJAMA GAME, our tastes otherwise are quite different. But where did you get the information that Day sang her songs live? This seems highly unlikely. After the initial years of sound pretty much all songs were pre-recorded and filmed with play back. The only musical I can think of that did have live on set recording was AT LONG LAST LOVE and much was made on Bogdanovich's insistence on doing so. bufffilmbuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15454063008795323255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-25644727205340189272018-11-06T07:46:22.276-05:002018-11-06T07:46:22.276-05:00Joe- Speaking of The Castro, it's interesting ...Joe- Speaking of The Castro, it's interesting how you've mentioned a lot of movies that the Castro could incorporate into their monthly programs like "Damn Yankees" but don't. I think a lot of it has to do with whether people grew up with or know of such films. Just wondering.....<br /><br />Walt <br />Waltnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-5297671538484676152018-11-06T06:41:56.210-05:002018-11-06T06:41:56.210-05:00Only in San Francisco, friend! -JOnly in San Francisco, friend! -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-40823002207580728662018-11-06T06:34:46.043-05:002018-11-06T06:34:46.043-05:00Hi, Joe- Great column. A quick FYI: The Castro The...Hi, Joe- Great column. A quick FYI: The Castro Theater in S.F. had a tribute to Tab Hunter in September and showed "Damn Yankees" (on a double-bill w/"Plyester"!)Buñuelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-49341903066348171022018-11-05T19:38:10.911-05:002018-11-05T19:38:10.911-05:00some interesting titles in here for me to research...some interesting titles in here for me to research and see!Lorenanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-14640341179137699562018-11-05T19:38:06.615-05:002018-11-05T19:38:06.615-05:00Hi Joe…
I too just discovered "Mardi Gras&q...Hi Joe…<br /><br />I too just discovered "Mardi Gras" and noted how much of it in the second hour looked and sounded like scenes and songs from the 1969 "Hello Dolly."<br /><br />I think someone at Fox in prep for "Dolly" clearly looked at "Mardi Gras" and noted possibilities, and then ensures that "Mardi Gras" could be back-shelved.<br /> <br />There’s even a Harmonia Gardens restaurant with a fountain, and from-the-stage songs which sound like "Ribbons Down My Back" and "It Only Takes a Moent."<br /> <br />Whilst Pat Boone was good and Gary Crosby scarily/tragically shackled by his looks to Bing, it was Tommy Sands who was the pre-Avalon standout.<br /> <br />"Mardi Gras" from 1958 had a major influence on 60s stage and screen "Dolly" and Sands could have been Frankie’s brother. <br /><br />It would have been a terrific Elvis musical had they gambled on him then after "Flaming Star" <br /><br />Aussie TV just ran "Girl Happy" which also had Gary Crosby with Elvis. I think it is the only Elvis movie where Elvis appears in drag. At the end in the jail.<br /><br />-Paul from Australia<br />Paul B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-80402564482028725012018-11-05T19:31:41.753-05:002018-11-05T19:31:41.753-05:00Peter- Thanks for the tip, but "The Pajam Gam...Peter- Thanks for the tip, but "The Pajam Game" is readily available on home entertainment. My point is that it is missing from the Turner library even though it's the perfect Turner title. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-44831803039301955732018-11-05T19:30:38.587-05:002018-11-05T19:30:38.587-05:00Paul- The DVD of "Half a Sixpence" is th...Paul- The DVD of "Half a Sixpence" is the complete roadshow version. I agree with you about the brutal hatchet job that Paramount did to the film for its wide release. And, yes, Steele and company begin to sing the word "Economy!" in preamble to the song "All in the Cause of Economy" and then - poof! - there's an abrupt cut to the next scene. Very awkward and, frankly, unprofessionally done. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-67395934976723459312018-11-05T19:27:17.816-05:002018-11-05T19:27:17.816-05:00Mike- Thanks for the insight into the intricacies ...Mike- Thanks for the insight into the intricacies of movie licensing and programing. -J<br />joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-26734495469742198442018-11-05T17:31:09.293-05:002018-11-05T17:31:09.293-05:00A pristine print of Pajama Game can be found here:...A pristine print of Pajama Game can be found here:<br /><br />https://ok.ru/video/272177367715Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-58757483547013803872018-11-05T17:03:19.309-05:002018-11-05T17:03:19.309-05:00Interestingly, as you're talking about the &qu...Interestingly, as you're talking about the "definitive" version of Half a Sixpence...<br /><br />I remember seeing the reserved seat "roadshow" version of the film at the old Randolph in center city, Philadelphia. It was everything you said it was, a wonderful musical. Sadly, the wide release version of the film cut several songs completely and a couple of others partially. (A hint of what was to come was when the (very funny) song "All in the Cause of Economy" ended AFTER THE FIRST WORD! <br /><br />Luckily, the dvd is (most of) the roadshow version.Paul Margulieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357628086168148184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-34155515246853970752018-11-05T16:25:03.783-05:002018-11-05T16:25:03.783-05:00Well, you have to remember that films not actually...Well, you have to remember that films not actually owned by Turner have to be licensed from the other studios, and their budget for "outside" movies is somewhat limited. That would explain why there are fewer pictures from, say, Columbia, Fox, Paramount or Universal than there are for in-house labels. <br /><br />Also, the rights for some pictures have expired, which is why you won't be seeing, say, THE DEVIL THUMBS A RIDE or NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE again anytime soon. Both PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES are out of service because said rights reverted to the George Abbott estate. ANNIE GET YOUR GUN was out for many years until a petition started by Cinecon finally persuaded them to get the Irving Berlin estate to make a new deal, so it's possible PJ & DY may return someday. (Thank God I have them on DVD. As I allus say, if you can't hold it, you don't own it.)<br />mike schlesingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15824197221204862706noreply@blogger.com