tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post6355438584520266738..comments2024-03-10T10:56:38.185-04:00Comments on the passionate moviegoer: "The Best Damn Musical!"/The First Fifty Years of the Fabulous "Gypsy." In Eight Parts.joe baltakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-60694316226784332922018-05-28T11:34:29.706-04:002018-05-28T11:34:29.706-04:00I agree, Ray Sharkey should have gotten an Oscar f...I agree, Ray Sharkey should have gotten an Oscar for his tantalizing performance in the IdolmakerBill from Phillynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-13286741675191730652015-01-24T12:48:00.019-05:002015-01-24T12:48:00.019-05:00David! I love it! I was aware of both bits of triv...David! I love it! I was aware of both bits of trivia but, for some bizarre reason, never cited them. Thanks for jarring my memory. BTW, . I’m impressed that you also got it right – the character is referred to in the play and movie as <i>Madam</i> Rose, never Momma Rose, something that apparently always annoyed Arthur Laurents.-J joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-44507974400485054392015-01-24T12:21:46.811-05:002015-01-24T12:21:46.811-05:00One interesting fact: June Havoc appeared with Rus...One interesting fact: June Havoc appeared with Russell in"My sister Eileen", and Gypsy Rose Lee appeared with her in "The Trouble with Angels" making Roz perhaps the only actress who played Madam Rose that appeared with the both the real-life Gypsy and Baby Junwe.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12663687803649291007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-8729514347667724312014-04-17T13:32:42.023-04:002014-04-17T13:32:42.023-04:00Vienna! Many thanks for the kind words. By the w...Vienna! Many thanks for the kind words. By the way, I adore your site Vienna's Classic Hollywood. Fabulous. Made it one of my cinéssentials. Also, loved that you identified Bess Flowers in that one still. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-69611858817853068302014-04-17T11:15:50.730-04:002014-04-17T11:15:50.730-04:00What a fabulous post. So much detail. Surely you w...What a fabulous post. So much detail. Surely you will write a book?<br />I think Roz is magnificent in the film. I always thought maybe the show/film should end with 'Rose's Turn' - what a climax.<br />I saw Angela Lansbury in London and thought she was terrific - first time I ever stood up in a theatre to applaud.<br />Also saw Tyne Daly in New York, but her voice wasn't strong enough.<br /><br /> Vienna's Classic HollywoodAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-43348029649104056532014-01-14T22:10:13.489-05:002014-01-14T22:10:13.489-05:00Jimboo! Such a nice comment. Many thanks. You h...Jimboo! Such a nice comment. Many thanks. You have a great memory. If you want to reach me directly, my email address is at the bottom of the left-hand side of the site, right above the photo of Cary and Roz, where I solicit questions - "Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?" -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-312991905362799422014-01-14T21:44:16.374-05:002014-01-14T21:44:16.374-05:00Years ago when you were a movie critic in Philadel...Years ago when you were a movie critic in Philadelphia I had the pleasure to meet you when you invited me to a couple of advance private screenings of movies. What struck me at the time about you, besides your gigantic mustache, was your passionate love of movies that it wasn't fashionable to like at the time. "Gypsy" was one of these, "The Landlord" was another. I so enjoyed reading your honest discussions that I was devastated when you left the city to work elsewhere. It's such a joy to find you all these years later still writing with the same passion about these unappreciated gems. Thank you for your continued devotion to the art of film.Jimboonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-86833170285428585282013-05-06T15:06:26.178-04:002013-05-06T15:06:26.178-04:00Right, Chris. But where did you get "Jullian...Right, Chris. But where did you get "Julliann"? Anyway, as I explained in my previous response to you, Ann's real name is Lithuanian. Jilliann was made up for her by director LeRoy and she later shortened it by one "n." Got that?joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-89725048270456990782013-05-06T15:02:40.600-04:002013-05-06T15:02:40.600-04:00Joe: Yeah, but in the article it's "Julli...Joe: Yeah, but in the article it's "Julliann." So I guess my correction was only partially correct. :) Chris Rainernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-38888246500917716162013-05-06T15:00:36.239-04:002013-05-06T15:00:36.239-04:00Amen to your comments on Streisand and all the oth...Amen to your comments on Streisand and all the other women-of-a-certain-age who have been cast as RoseSheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-5070777223277693302013-05-06T14:55:46.239-04:002013-05-06T14:55:46.239-04:00Not really, Chris. That's how Ann's name w...Not really, Chris. That's how Ann's name was spelled for the credits. Ann is Lithuanian and Jilliann (two n's) is a name Mervyn LeRoy conjured up for her. She changed it - shortened it - later in her career. Check out the credits for the film.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-21639777216663213892013-05-06T14:46:42.057-04:002013-05-06T14:46:42.057-04:00Makes me want to see it again right away.
By the ...Makes me want to see it again right away.<br /><br />By the way, McVay got Ann Jillian's name wrong, by the way.Chris Rainernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-4515134070412949252012-02-26T15:22:41.781-05:002012-02-26T15:22:41.781-05:00JOe! I am eagerly awaiting parts 9 and 10!JOe! I am eagerly awaiting parts 9 and 10!Johnnynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-79107236193309697282012-02-26T14:50:14.544-05:002012-02-26T14:50:14.544-05:00Saw Lansbury as Rose years ago, but there is only ...Saw Lansbury as Rose years ago, but there is only one Rose and it's Roz!Cherylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-45927854779283123712012-02-26T14:12:39.751-05:002012-02-26T14:12:39.751-05:00Michael! Plotzing? Yes. This sounds like a bad gay...Michael! Plotzing? Yes. This sounds like a bad gay fantasy that will never see the light of day. Only a 92-year-old - that would be Authru Laurents - would think that a 69 year-old - that would be Barbra Streisant - would be appropriate to play the mother of girls who are only around 10 when the show opens. And you know, if a miracle happends and it does get made, by the time that happens, Barbra would be pusing 71, 72.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-3793052380125378722012-02-26T14:05:59.526-05:002012-02-26T14:05:59.526-05:00One other thing. You must be plotzing that 68 year...One other thing. You must be plotzing that 68 year old Barbra Streisand wants to play Mama Rose...<br /><br />And, you're right. Mama is about 34 or so when the musical starts and about 46 or so when it ends.Michael Strangewayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352099687100280853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-62236391475059293112012-02-26T13:32:06.546-05:002012-02-26T13:32:06.546-05:00Great stuff!Great stuff!Nikkinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-2730030503559570232012-02-26T10:33:06.277-05:002012-02-26T10:33:06.277-05:00I've no idea what Mendes would have done with ...I've no idea what Mendes would have done with "Gypsy" if he hadn't been put on that short leash. I, too, was hoping for something more than another lacquered revival. It's a good show but it could really use a shot in the arm.Phyllisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-78834978102034474462012-02-26T10:05:42.933-05:002012-02-26T10:05:42.933-05:00Wow! Great post. Great, great, great!Wow! Great post. Great, great, great!Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697987947065329792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-17400634259796348252012-02-26T09:41:13.711-05:002012-02-26T09:41:13.711-05:00Thanks for finally clearing up who sang what in th...Thanks for finally clearing up who sang what in the "Gypsy" movie. Sounds like pretty intricate stuff. I personally wish that would have let Roz do more of her own singing. Like Audrey Hepburn in "Funny Face," I can live with the occasional bad notes.Ginger L.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-70889830061215200642012-02-26T09:18:14.743-05:002012-02-26T09:18:14.743-05:00Rosalind Russell and Fredric Brisson's son was...Rosalind Russell and Fredric Brisson's son was a member of the City of Los Angeles's Civil Service Commission in the 1990s. When I would appear on behalf of my department before the commission, I would have to resist the temptation to ask him if his mom ever talked about "His Girl Friday," or any of her other many movies I enjoy. Things like this are one of the funny little side effects of working and living in Los Angeles.wwolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-69875776644520778362012-02-26T08:23:18.723-05:002012-02-26T08:23:18.723-05:00Sheila: It means they don't stock it.Sheila: It means they don't stock it.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-58337529937203642202012-02-26T07:47:58.837-05:002012-02-26T07:47:58.837-05:00They list their stock online. No such name. I humb...They list their stock online. No such name. I humbly request a scan?Sheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-12737518509513475062012-02-26T07:30:02.318-05:002012-02-26T07:30:02.318-05:00Yeah, "The Idolmaker" rocks and, yes, it...Yeah, "The Idolmaker" rocks and, yes, it is almost exactly like "Gypsy." Good point.DAVEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-7583663043647440132012-02-26T07:00:03.357-05:002012-02-26T07:00:03.357-05:00Love the "Idolmaker"/"Gypsy" a...Love the "Idolmaker"/"Gypsy" analogy. Brilliant!brian b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07697987947065329792noreply@blogger.com