It’s called “Send in the Clowns” because in a circus, if an acrobat falls during their performance and most likely dies the ringmaster will yell “Send in the clowns” and all the clowns would go in to distract the audience while the acrobats are carried away. Sondheim used that phrase as a metaphor to show how Frederick and Desiree were riding a trapeze with their romance but it’s all came crashing down
She acknowledges that, but she states that modern audiences won't understand this, and equate it instead with the red-nosed orange hair variety instead.
I always understood the phrase "send in the clowns" to mean that a circus act had gone horribly wrong and the clowns would be an easy, palatable distraction
I'm surprised you didn't mention one of the worst sins this movie version committed: setting it in Vienna instead of Sweden (hence the name change from Henrik to Erik), therefore taking it out of the country of the "midnight sun" and trashing one of the CENTRAL CONCEPTS of the stage show. (Which was also why they had to give "Night Waltz" an entirely new set of lyrics.) One other saving grace of this version--the new version of "The Glamorous Life", with its mostly new melody and entirely new lyrics. I fell in love with this song when I first heard it on the reissued OBC. It actually might make a little sense that Anne seems more "repulsed" than frightened by Frederik's advances, since he was her father's friend, her "Uncle Frederik" who read her fairy tales. She married him because she felt sorry for him in his loneliness and didn't know what else to do when he suddenly started approaching her as a lover instead of an uncle figure. Now she can't reconcile her old view of him with the new role she's supposed to accept him in.
Jennifer Schillig Yeah, unfortunately I couldn't find a good way to discuss the random and inexplicable setting change (or Taylor's weight issues, another commonly cited problem with the film). Sometimes a movie's problems are more than I can deal with in a single episode. Good points re: Anne, although I think her portrayal in the movie isn't nuanced enough to convey that. Anne is one of those hard characters to get right, because for all that she is very immature and more than a little self-absorbed, she also has to be likable enough to believe that Frederik could care for her enough that he wouldn't want to break her heart for the sake of following his own. I didn't get that here.
They also moved the Night waltz from a humorous Act 2 opener to an unnecessary opening number. But I actually think if they wanted to keep the song melody in the film, that was the only way to do that, as in musical films, two back-to-back numbers like a A weekend in the country and the night waltz wouldn't work without intermission.
It's doubly funny because the day-for-night shots are awful, but they had the perfect excuse to shoot the whole movie during the day, and they threw it away.
Sondheim has said in an interview that the phrase “Send in the clowns” doe refer to actual clowns. He said that the clowns show up at the very end of the act in a circus to represent that the night is over and send everyone home with a good laugh. In other words, Desiree is saying that her “act” with Frederick is over, there’s no saving grace. So she sings that to say she’s not going to pursue him anymore.
In the Agatha Christie thriller EVIL UNDER THE SUN she plays a diva who tells her surly teenage stepdaughter, "If you want to have fun, go play with the jellyfish!" (The kind of line only Diana Rigg can deliver...)
I like "Send in the Clowns" as well for clarinet part that ghosts the melody at the beginning and end of it. As someone who's played the instrument for many years, rarely do I get to hear a simple, yet melodic part given to a clarinet in its warmer, lower register. It's a shame Liz Taylor wasn't up to the vocals. Her voice is too breathy and girlish for the song; its bitterness requires some force behind it, something that Glynnis Johns, despite her vocal shortcomings, clearly gets in the clips shown here.
Exactly! Glynis didn't exactly have an impressive range when she played the role, but her performance conveyed raw emotion that perfectly complemented the simple, bittersweet melody.
15:22 I can imagine the fact that The Simpsons (and probably some other media as well) had an actual clown sing this didn't help matters, especially given The Simpsons' impact on popular culture.
Couldn't agree more. A wonderful property mostly ruined. Why on earth was Liaisons cut? The colour is totally bland and who on earth thought it was a good idea to dub Elizabeth Taylor in the opening scene?
@The Pikachu Brothers the film is pretty difficult to find online. It's not available for streaming anywhere, and there's only a few DVD's and video cassettes available on Amazon. It might be that the film's never been properly restored. Given that Sondheim is the only member of the creative team still alive, and he's not too fond of the finished project, he's probably fine letting it slip into the ether. The other thing is I think the camera work just results in the fact that Hal Prince, a stage director, tried directing for the screen, and he didn't understand the medium. All the shots are shaky and flat, making it look like a filmed play rather than a movie.
I assume that you mean something like Upstairs Downstairs? I couldn't agree more. Fun fact Lesley-Ann Down was also one of the characters in that series
I think Desire means the term "Send in the Clowns" with sarcastic irony. I think Sondheim was aware of how the term has changed over the years and the term "Send in the Clowns" to mean "We were idiots, come and laugh at us."
janeyrevanescence12 Yes, that's exactly what she's saying. But Sondheim would also know that for an early 20th-century actress like Desiree, the words would have different meaning for her than they would for us--namely "bring on the comic relief, because the leading lady is bombing."
janeyrevanescence12 Perhaps, but Sondheim tends to be very particular about character-specific lyrics. (He's often said that he's not fond of his work on West Side Story's "I Fell Pretty" because he feels the lyrics are too elaborate to come from a young Puerto Rican immigrant who's still learning English.)
pete hill It's just kind of...meh. I mean, parts of it do work (can't go wrong with "Springtime for Hitler" especially with John Barrowman singing it) but on the whole it just didn't translate from stage very well.
I played Henrik (Erik) in a production of this, and despite this being one of sondheim's more gorgeous scores, it doesn't get produced a whole lot. Including the one I was in, there were only like 4 or 5 amateur productions that whole year in the United States
That may be because it's very hard to do, and even if you can do it, hard to do properly. Difficult for professionals, let alone amateurs. 'Sweeney Todd' is also monstrously difficult but even that's done more often than this one.
Even if the audience is thinking in terms of circus clowns, the metaphor still works. Still, I think modern audiences get that she's singing about clowns in the sense of people who should know better but go ahead and do it anyway. Only problem here is that Taylor is flat through most of the song and ruins it. Where's Peggy when you need her? By and large, it's a terrible, interminable production, and Prince is the biggest clown for doing it. Maybe some day someone will do it right. It is sorta screaming for one of those LIVE ON TV productions.
One other cute three we get - though it's optional - is that Fredrika tend to join the dance with her mother and Fredrick at the end. It's a cute moment, this little three person waltz.
Had the movie not been a musical, Liz Taylor is perfect for Desiree. She does act well in the movie, but the singing should’ve been dubbed instead of Liz’s own vocals; it’s kinda embarrassing when opposite musical theatre talent like Len Cariou (since he originated his role on Broadway and was the OG Sweeney Todd opposite the wonderful Angela Lansbury)
I absolutely love the show, and would love to play Anne someday!! (Soon actually got me cast in Sweeney) but this movie does it no favors, it needs to be on stage, and just couldn't work on screen
This review is perfectly on point. I saw the original show and it was enchanting. This film does have several of the original cast members and the original director which should make the Broadway snobs stand up and take notice. Rigg is a delight. I saw this film when it first opened and I could believe they left in the line "If she'd only been fat". The audience howled. The only miss here is the criticism of the title Send in the Clowns
I wonder if “send in the clowns” suggests that Desiree thinks the two of them are so pathetic and incompetent at love that it’s almost funny, and that she wishes she could bring herself to laugh at their situation, but she can’t.
I actually enjoyed the films soundtrack quite a bit, until I discovered the Original Cast album! So many amazing songs were just cut out, and this film isn't even that long! They did keep the most important stuff in (Now/Soon/Later, you must meet my wife, A weekend in the country, send in the Clowns etc.) But they left out some equally as breathtaking songs. The blissful nostalgia of "Remember" (I know that one was sung by the chorus, but they could have it being sung by Frederick and Desiree) The almost triumphant denial of "In praise of women" (which would have made establishing the character of Carl Magnus much easier just by it's inclusion) Liasons (aka. now missing Ma'am Armfeld character development) the sun sit's low (a fun, interesting opening to the second act, that the film didn't really need, but still) and the Miller's son (aka. Now missing Petra character development)
I earnestly despise Ann's character in this. Like, to an unhealthy degree. I cannot for the life of me understand how she's supposed to be the slightest bit likable.
While the movie has obviously much bigger issues, I find it odd to cast two blond men of a similar age as two male leads, then style them virtually the same, giving them the same facial hair and similar attire. I know that it was the 19th century, but some distinction could have been done.
I saw the original B'way production with Glynis Johns. Having taken the overnight coach from Montreal, I was a little "stoned,' but still enchanted by the production. Beats Rodgers an Hammerstein any time.
Not every Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The ultimate success of any musical is the adaptation of the material and the perspective that the composer/lyricist bring to the project. Perhaps being stoned and as a foreigner in America helped. I never need pot to appreciate ALNM.
+Elizabeth Power For reasons unfathomable, the film version moves the setting of the musical from Sweden to Austria, and some of the names where changed to fit--Henrik/Erich is the most obvious, but Carl-Magnus and Charlotte's last name is changed from Malcom to Mittleheim, and Fredrik's name is slightly altered to Frederick. (Fredrika/Fredericka follows suit in this.) I didn't address it because I couldn't think of a good place to work it in, but yes, it is odd and rather irritating if you're familiar with the original. (Not to mention we lose the whole "perpetual anticipation" theme in the second half along with Sweden's never-setting summer sun....)
What I find so intriguing yet disturbing, is how could Hal Prince who directed the stage version so brilliantly, believe for one minute that this film version was remotely acceptable? Did he not see error upon error being committed?
@@MusicalHell in the liner notes for the soundtrack cd to the film,its mentioned that the reason they switched locations was due to money..i think it was just not in the budget to film in Sweden..
Great review! And definitely a messy movie. I remember the poor editing as well as the bad lighting and the boring sets and the dreadful casting (save Dames Rigg and Gingold). I saw a wonderful production in the '80s with Patrice Munsel, so I know what it's supposed to be like and the film ain't it!
Yes to all of this. But I think you forgot a sin. While I understand paring the soundtrack back to make it more compact, removing Madame Armfeldt's song Liaisons, while still having the melody underscore her scenes just to remind all of us who knew it that it wasn't there, was absolute blasphemy. It Hermione deserved to deliver that on film (and to perform the death at the end).
I admit that I have not seen this - or even seen Liz Taylor in very much. Her liveliest was in The Flinstones for me ... and I've seen North and South in which she had more of a repeating cameo than a role... I've seen a large chunk of Cleopatra... I don't quite get her acting appeal ... but that could just be me. No doubt my mother was named after her for a reason. She isn't BAD, and she WAS gorgeous... at least her eyes were.
You not only are blind but an idiot if your only reference to Elizabeth Taylor is “The Flintstones”. “A chunk of ‘Cleopatra’”; Do you eat films? If your mother was named after her, Why don’t you ask your grandmother and mother about her appeal instead of making stupid TH-cam postings.
"Glorious Lives" sounds a bit like that one song sometimes used for the background of Markiplier and Ethan's now-deleted collab TH-cam series that was set to go on for exactly a year. Bless you, TH-cam preservationists, you guys are the real heroes!
It looks like the clips used here are from the old VHS tape. I wonder if a remastering and proper aspect ratio would improve this movie's look at all. It still is a somewhat waxworks staging with muddy sound - the songs on the original cast album have a wonderful crisp chamber-music quality.
When you give favorite artists punishments like Hal Prince's, you're practically begging the folks downstairs to send you worse crap-both as punishment and to make sure you judge their even less-capable artists more fairly. Or at least harshly.
The Diva seems to think this was Hal Prince's first movie. "Something for Everyone," anyone? Vincente Minnelli should have been the obvious choice, but even he was long past his prime. Of course, if The Diva had really wanted to stick it to this movie, she could have summed it up with the shot of Len Cariou singing "Embarrassing" in the opening number.
15:57 You know, it's such a shame you didn't do this review five years later. It would've been way more sick if you used that scene from the 2017 It film where the Skarsgard Pennywise danced in all of those freaking flames, or even a scene of the Phoenix Joker Also, you forget to put "It (1990)" in the credits of this video
Call me a psycho, but I actually like the sound quality in this film. It's so delightfully vintage and makes it seem like you're listening to an actually old movie from back when musical cinema was great. It certainly makes up for the God awful visuals. I really do blame the print a lot though. Some moments of this print are so bad that in one scene you can see a black slash across it in marker or paint right across Len Cariou's face! It's, as he would say, "emBAAAAArasing".
I know this was several years after but I keep thinking of Extras; you expect Ricky Gervais to sidle into shot before the director shouts 'Cut!' Ashley Jensen as Maggie could have played Lesley Anne Down's part.
Yes. Originally that spot in the play was for Frederick to tell Desiree it was overt but the spot was given to Desiree. Sondheim knew her vocal limitations and wrote it in Boston.
I like to cast in other movies like In Encanto Julieta Madrigal as Desiree Armfeldt Agustin Madrigal as Fredrik Egerman Alma Madrigal as Madame Armfeldt Isabela Madrigal as Anne Egerman Felix Madrigal as Carl-Magnus Malcolm Pepa Madrigal as Charlotte Malcolm Camilo Madrigal as Henrik Egerman Dolores Madrigal as Petra Mirabel Madrigal as Fredrika Armfeldt Mariano Guzman as Frid In Barbie as the Island Princess Danielle as Desiree Armfeldt Peter as Fredrik Egerman Arianna (Even she’s a bad person) as Madame Armfeldt Rosella as Anne Egerman Frazer as Carl-Magnus Malcolm Marissa as Charlotte Malcolm Antonio as Henrik Egerman Luciana as Petra Gina as Fredrika Armfeldt Julian in Pink as Frid In Les Miserables Fantine as Desiree Armfeldt Jean Valjean as Fredrik Egerman Baptistine/Sister Simplice as Madame Armfeldt Cosette as Anne Egerman Javert/Thenardier as Carl-Magnus Malcolm Mme. Thenardier/Touissant as Charlotte Malcolm Marius as Henrik Egerman Eponine as Petra Azelma as Fredrika Armfeldt Enjolras as Frid In Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses Isabella as Desiree Armfeldt Randolph as Fredrik Egerman Princess Book as Madame Armfeldt Genevieve as Anne Egerman Fabian/Desmond as Carl-Magnus Malcolm Rowena/Ashlyn as Charlotte Malcolm Derek as Henrik Egerman Fallon as Petra Lacey as Fredrika Armfeldt Golden Prince as Frid
This is a fair review, I think. I often defend the film and that's partly because it has the reputation as being THE worst movie adaptation of a stage musical--which I would say it assuredly isn't. I think it is very well cast (yes even Liz and Lesley-Ann), what is kept (and added) to the original score is superbly done (even with the same women doubling for Anne, Fredericka and, half the time, Liz)--even shuffling Now/Soon/Later works, as does cutting and giving a bit to Mme Armfeldt for Weekend and the new Glamorous Life is sublime (and I disagree--one part where the film comes to life), Diana Rigg is outstanding, the Weekend in the Country section is another part it comes to life (apparently Sondheim helped plan the edits). But for such a cinematic stage director, the tired and oddly lifeless way that Prince films it sinks the whole project (as does the low budget but that's what you get with Roger COrman's company.) Actually I prefer Prince's earlier, and only other, film the great black comedy Something for Everyone--also filmed in Vienna, with a score (no vocals) by John Kander and a script by Night Music's Hugh Wheeler-finally coming to DVD this Fall. It also suffers from that kinda lifeless style Prince shows on film, but less so. Anyway, I do go back and watch this every so often. And, when I don't want to listen to the full score or am in a rush (ha) the Soundtrack album is actually the one I go to (scandalous I know!).
I do think that Weekend works really well due to the editing but re the drab visuals--*some* of that apparently is due to the horrible print condition (the best print that could be found). Image was going to remaster it for a DVD release and then decided that it wasn't worth the money and wouldn't be easy to improve (and then we got the bare bones, budget release from Hen's Tooth, whoever they are). And I will say, I always thought it was clear Mme Armfeldt died--she's not in the theatre ending (I also always found it clear that Fredericka is Frederick's daughter).
Matthew Ryan Nine is up there for me--though at least it has some great performances. But, probably A Chorus Line (not an imaginative pick, I know...) Of course there are some older ones too--in the 1930s lots of movie musicals based on stage shows cut most of the music. Or On the Town which is a fine movie with typical great Gene Kelly dancing but replaces most of Bernstein's score with unmemorable new stuff by others... Surely I am forgetting something even worse.
I personally disagree about My Fair Lady. It kept most, if not all, of the songs and had great acting, even kept Rex Harrison, and I don't think many adaptations of the time chose to keep some of the original cast. I personally dislike the talk-singing that Harrison did, which he did in the stage version too. It does beg the question why they didn't choose someone who could actually sing for their lead role in either version. But it is at least very fun to watch and sing along with. I can't say the same about Cabaret, though, which is the worst film adaptation that I can think of...among shows I've seen both versions of, that is. Liza's voice was borderline screaming, they swapped the nationalities of the leads, took out half the songs, and I believe even took out the main plot device that affected the status quo of the two leads' romance. Bye Bye Birdie is also a weaker adaptation. I agree about A Chorus Line, but its performances are fantastic.
Thank goodness I have never seen this version with its star studded cast. Taylor’s version of Send in the Clowns ruins it all. When produced well and proper actors for the roles present, its performance on a theatrical stage is a delight. Send in the Clowns should go without saying, eh?
Sondheim makes this enjoyable and it is Hal Prince. But, so many things here could have been better. Len Cariou, Hermione Gingold (RIP) and Laurence Guttard are all veterans of this Broadway production, and Hal Prince. But 11% on RT. I am always impressed with Diana Rigg . Elizabeth Taylor was here.
The single biggest sin in all of Hollywood musical history was the casting of Elizabeth Taylor in A Little Night Music. It's so big a sin, that it also occupies the 2nd and 3rd positions on my greatest sins list. Yes... it really is that bad. Sure, the film has a host of other problems that you rightly cite, but I will never get past the ET issue... never. And for that reason, I won't watch it a second time. TBH, I barely got through the first viewing. UGH.
I assumed they themselves were the "clowns" in that everyone's acting like reality TV idiots and she realizes this would be hilarious if it happened to someone else
Terrific examination. The stage show is one of my favorite works, but this film is largely dreck. As for "Send in the Clowns," Desiree wants clowns to come in because she can't think what to say....well, until the next lyric line occurs to her. But don't regret that Sondheim was perhaps being too cerebral -- enough modern writers dumb things down for the audience, so I'm grateful that he makes people think. Go see "Cats" if you want easy entertainment.
I’ve never really considered Fleur from Alegria, especially the movie version, a traditional clown. Maybe anti-clown? Also you should do Alegria le film. So much about that movie..
In 1990 the New York City Opera production was filmed for Live at Lincoln Center (it's on youtube but hasn't been commercially released). It's not bad, though I find the empty set on that huge stage annoying (I wish they had used Aronson's original famous designs). Maybe that's what you're thinking of? Sally Ann Howes (from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) stared.
SHe was--but never filmed. Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch followed them. Great cast, but it was a disappointing production I thought from Trevor Nunn (who really did better with similar, but less clever, material with A Little Night Music. I mean--there's no way Mme Armfeldt would have a dinner party as a PICNIC!)
Wait is Desiree the same actress who was, uh....Katherine in a film version of the Taming Of The Shrew?? I think I recognize her from Overly Sarcastic Production's TotS video.
Yes. She was also famous for CLEOPATRA, NATIONAL VELVET, CAT ON A HOT TIN TOOF, WHO’S AFRIAD OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, an immense jewelry collection (especially diamonds, I don’t mean rhinestones), 7or 8 husbands, being a loyal friend and active involvement or founding considerable charities. I forget her name.
The score to A Little Night Music is one of my favorites but I can’t bring myself to watch the entire movie. Elizabeth Taylor’s Send in the Clowns is horrendous. The only other musical I have the same problem with is Camelot. Gorgeous score but boring movie
The film fell flat considering all the talent involved is a sin indeed! Did Elizabeth Taylor perform her own singing? Seems as if she was dubbed! Check out Diana Rigg in Cannon's "Snow White" she's deliciously campy as the Queen in a bizarre film version of the classic story by elcheapo film studio Cannon Films! Seems like just the type of film musical you'd condemn!
I played Mrs. Segstrom in this and I HATE the lyric changes for "The Glamourous Life" (also hate making it a Frederika solo) and "Weekend in the Country" in this film. The only saving grace in the film for me is Diana Rigg.
I wonder what are your thoughts on the Sweeney Todd movie. Do you like it, apart from Helen Bonham Carter, or is it another contender for musical hell. Either way, it's a lot better than this movie.
harrietamidala1691 Decidedly mixed. I liked Burton's visual style and what he did with a lot of the songs, but the cast is hit-or-miss and the absence of the chorus parts really lessens the score. Overall, I don't think it's terrible, it's just that the source material is so much better.
Musical Hell What other members of the cast did you not like? I thought Johnny Depp and Sacha Baron Cohen were quite good, but I don't know what they were thinking making Timothy Spall sing.
Amie Fortman I think Bonham-Carter was my biggest gripe--Jayne Wisener was thin-voiced but not grating, and Depp managed to cover his vocal shortcomings with his acting performance. It's been a while since I've seen the movie, though, so it's a little hard for me to remember specifics.
Musical Hell Yeah, I can see the possible issue with Jayne Wisener. I sang "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" one year for an audition, and let me tell you, it requires a lot more than she gave us in the movie.
even happiness of the katakuris, whose tone gets more lighthearted to the point of mild insanity, let the grandpa die. he was cheered on after flying into the sky leaving behind a trail of sparkles, but I digress.
Charles Stanford: Because the section is called “Musical Hell” and each segment is devoted to a particular musical film that was poorly made. You didn’t think they were praising the film did you? Maybe you are confused.
The original casting was Robert Stephens (Maggie Smith’s ex) but the chemistry wasn’t right-whatever that means-so he was replaced. I read that there were frontal nude shots of Cariou taken on the set in the cut bathing/shower scene but they weren’t included on the DVD extra features.
A Little Night Music is one of my favorite musicals, but the movie version of it is absolute garbage. If I want to watch a video of the musical I have a copy of the 1990 production by the New York City Opera Company starring Sally Ann Howes as Desiree Armfeldt.
15:22 If you think that the title inspires the wrong imagery, you should see Judy Collins sing it on the Muppet Show: m.th-cam.com/video/cIqx5_w-dnk/w-d-xo.html
Pauline Kael's review in THE NEW YORKER said, "Hal Prince directs as if he had never SEEN a movie!" (She could be mean...) An earlier movie Prince directed is the bisexual comedy SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. Penelope Gilliatt's review, also in THE NEW YORKER, said, "Not much for anyone, really.... If you're stuck in it, you may as well enjoy it, like the Blitz." (A particularly British reference!)
"And [Stephen] took a terrible, painful, long pause and said "Hal, it's about sex."
--Hal Prince, probably
Is that supposed to be a reference to “Hal, it's about Cats”? 😂😂
Yep.
It’s called “Send in the Clowns” because in a circus, if an acrobat falls during their performance and most likely dies the ringmaster will yell “Send in the clowns” and all the clowns would go in to distract the audience while the acrobats are carried away. Sondheim used that phrase as a metaphor to show how Frederick and Desiree were riding a trapeze with their romance but it’s all came crashing down
To me, Judy Collins' version will always be the definitive version of the song.
She acknowledges that, but she states that modern audiences won't understand this, and equate it instead with the red-nosed orange hair variety instead.
@@jaycee330I resent and resemble that remark.
@@janebyrne6463 Sorry, have to go with Barbra Streisand in The Broadway Album. Sondheim even wrote an extra bridge for her.
I always understood the phrase "send in the clowns" to mean that a circus act had gone horribly wrong and the clowns would be an easy, palatable distraction
Another sin is that I can't tell the male leads apart. Make ur characters visually distinct plzzz
I'm surprised you didn't mention one of the worst sins this movie version committed: setting it in Vienna instead of Sweden (hence the name change from Henrik to Erik), therefore taking it out of the country of the "midnight sun" and trashing one of the CENTRAL CONCEPTS of the stage show. (Which was also why they had to give "Night Waltz" an entirely new set of lyrics.)
One other saving grace of this version--the new version of "The Glamorous Life", with its mostly new melody and entirely new lyrics. I fell in love with this song when I first heard it on the reissued OBC.
It actually might make a little sense that Anne seems more "repulsed" than frightened by Frederik's advances, since he was her father's friend, her "Uncle Frederik" who read her fairy tales. She married him because she felt sorry for him in his loneliness and didn't know what else to do when he suddenly started approaching her as a lover instead of an uncle figure. Now she can't reconcile her old view of him with the new role she's supposed to accept him in.
Jennifer Schillig Yeah, unfortunately I couldn't find a good way to discuss the random and inexplicable setting change (or Taylor's weight issues, another commonly cited problem with the film). Sometimes a movie's problems are more than I can deal with in a single episode.
Good points re: Anne, although I think her portrayal in the movie isn't nuanced enough to convey that. Anne is one of those hard characters to get right, because for all that she is very immature and more than a little self-absorbed, she also has to be likable enough to believe that Frederik could care for her enough that he wouldn't want to break her heart for the sake of following his own. I didn't get that here.
They also moved the Night waltz from a humorous Act 2 opener to an unnecessary opening number. But I actually think if they wanted to keep the song melody in the film, that was the only way to do that, as in musical films, two back-to-back numbers like a A weekend in the country and the night waltz wouldn't work without intermission.
It's doubly funny because the day-for-night shots are awful, but they had the perfect excuse to shoot the whole movie during the day, and they threw it away.
Sondheim has said in an interview that the phrase “Send in the clowns” doe refer to actual clowns. He said that the clowns show up at the very end of the act in a circus to represent that the night is over and send everyone home with a good laugh. In other words, Desiree is saying that her “act” with Frederick is over, there’s no saving grace. So she sings that to say she’s not going to pursue him anymore.
Came here to mourn the loss of the great composer behind this show. Stephen Sondheim will forever be missed.
Fun Fakt: Even Sondheim said that he knew that this movie wouldn't work and tryed to convince Hal Price not to make it.
Sondheim was beyond correct. Don’t think I even finished it
I'm wondering if there was pressure from the studio along the usual lines: this is a great musical! Let's change it!
Dame Diana Rigg I think, is ANY bad movie's saving grace. She's amazing.
In the Agatha Christie thriller EVIL UNDER THE SUN she plays a diva who tells her surly teenage stepdaughter, "If you want to have fun, go play with the jellyfish!" (The kind of line only Diana Rigg can deliver...)
I need to see this moive now
Diana is awesome as always. Even her singing isn’t that bad
If you're in the mood for a _good movie musical_ with Diana Rigg, I recommend either _Canon Movie Tales: Snow White,_ or _The Great Muppet Caper._
She is a diamond in this stinking cowpat of a movie. Bless her heart.
I like "Send in the Clowns" as well for clarinet part that ghosts the melody at the beginning and end of it. As someone who's played the instrument for many years, rarely do I get to hear a simple, yet melodic part given to a clarinet in its warmer, lower register. It's a shame Liz Taylor wasn't up to the vocals. Her voice is too breathy and girlish for the song; its bitterness requires some force behind it, something that Glynnis Johns, despite her vocal shortcomings, clearly gets in the clips shown here.
Exactly! Glynis didn't exactly have an impressive range when she played the role, but her performance conveyed raw emotion that perfectly complemented the simple, bittersweet melody.
15:22 I can imagine the fact that The Simpsons (and probably some other media as well) had an actual clown sing this didn't help matters, especially given The Simpsons' impact on popular culture.
"More Tonys than an Italian wedding reception." That's going in the lexicon.
13:15-13:20... Dang, that line and its delivery, you'd swear Dame Diana Rigg was already warming up for her stint as Olenna Tyrell!
The sass is strong with her.
A dark room littered with Legos! You MONSTER!
pookywooky42 *GASP!* That’s DISNEY Evil!
At least it isn't D4s
One thing that murdered this movie, and is considered a sin for me, is the cutting of my second favorite song, only to SITC, The Miller's Son!
Couldn't agree more. A wonderful property mostly ruined. Why on earth was Liaisons cut? The colour is totally bland and who on earth thought it was a good idea to dub Elizabeth Taylor in the opening scene?
It sounds like she was dubbed by Suzanne Vega!
Worse...she was dubbed by the same woman who dubbed Anne and Fredrika.
What type of film did A Little Night Music use? It looks more like a BBC drama production from the 70s-80s.
@The Pikachu Brothers the film is pretty difficult to find online. It's not available for streaming anywhere, and there's only a few DVD's and video cassettes available on Amazon. It might be that the film's never been properly restored. Given that Sondheim is the only member of the creative team still alive, and he's not too fond of the finished project, he's probably fine letting it slip into the ether.
The other thing is I think the camera work just results in the fact that Hal Prince, a stage director, tried directing for the screen, and he didn't understand the medium. All the shots are shaky and flat, making it look like a filmed play rather than a movie.
I assume that you mean something like Upstairs Downstairs? I couldn't agree more. Fun fact Lesley-Ann Down was also one of the characters in that series
"There isn't much blue in the red and the black." Classic line.
Lyrics all about books at that point (since porn DVDs hadn't been invented yet) and not one book in the scene?!
I think Desire means the term "Send in the Clowns" with sarcastic irony. I think Sondheim was aware of how the term has changed over the years and the term "Send in the Clowns" to mean "We were idiots, come and laugh at us."
janeyrevanescence12 Yes, that's exactly what she's saying. But Sondheim would also know that for an early 20th-century actress like Desiree, the words would have different meaning for her than they would for us--namely "bring on the comic relief, because the leading lady is bombing."
Musical Hell couldn't it depend on context though? We have two different ideas of what it can mean and both are valid.
janeyrevanescence12 Perhaps, but Sondheim tends to be very particular about character-specific lyrics. (He's often said that he's not fond of his work on West Side Story's "I Fell Pretty" because he feels the lyrics are too elaborate to come from a young Puerto Rican immigrant who's still learning English.)
+Musical Hell What do you have against The Producers? It's not really worthy of damnation.
pete hill It's just kind of...meh. I mean, parts of it do work (can't go wrong with "Springtime for Hitler" especially with John Barrowman singing it) but on the whole it just didn't translate from stage very well.
I played Henrik (Erik) in a production of this, and despite this being one of sondheim's more gorgeous scores, it doesn't get produced a whole lot. Including the one I was in, there were only like 4 or 5 amateur productions that whole year in the United States
That may be because it's very hard to do, and even if you can do it, hard to do properly. Difficult for professionals, let alone amateurs. 'Sweeney Todd' is also monstrously difficult but even that's done more often than this one.
Even if the audience is thinking in terms of circus clowns, the metaphor still works. Still, I think modern audiences get that she's singing about clowns in the sense of people who should know better but go ahead and do it anyway. Only problem here is that Taylor is flat through most of the song and ruins it. Where's Peggy when you need her?
By and large, it's a terrible, interminable production, and Prince is the biggest clown for doing it. Maybe some day someone will do it right. It is sorta screaming for one of those LIVE ON TV productions.
This movie is what helped Jonathan Tunick become a member of the EGOT Club, as this is the movie he won his Oscar for.
One other cute three we get - though it's optional - is that Fredrika tend to join the dance with her mother and Fredrick at the end. It's a cute moment, this little three person waltz.
I think "Send In The Clowns" has started to work again since using clown as an insult has come back
Also...Desiree's singing voice...she sounds like a five-year-old.
Welp!!!!!
Had the movie not been a musical, Liz Taylor is perfect for Desiree. She does act well in the movie, but the singing should’ve been dubbed instead of Liz’s own vocals; it’s kinda embarrassing when opposite musical theatre talent like Len Cariou (since he originated his role on Broadway and was the OG Sweeney Todd opposite the wonderful Angela Lansbury)
I can't believe I didn't notice that Mrs. Banks is Glynis Johns
I absolutely love the show, and would love to play Anne someday!! (Soon actually got me cast in Sweeney) but this movie does it no favors, it needs to be on stage, and just couldn't work on screen
This review is perfectly on point. I saw the original show and it was enchanting. This film does have several of the original cast members and the original director which should make the Broadway snobs stand up and take notice. Rigg is a delight. I saw this film when it first opened and I could believe they left in the line "If she'd only been fat". The audience howled. The only miss here is the criticism of the title Send in the Clowns
Every time I hear The Glamorous Life I get the urge to watch an Agatha Christy Mystery.
You're far too kind. This movie is unendurable.
I wonder if “send in the clowns” suggests that Desiree thinks the two of them are so pathetic and incompetent at love that it’s almost funny, and that she wishes she could bring herself to laugh at their situation, but she can’t.
Once again, I had *completely* forgotten about "A Little Night Music" until now! 😅
I actually enjoyed the films soundtrack quite a bit, until I discovered the Original Cast album! So many amazing songs were just cut out, and this film isn't even that long!
They did keep the most important stuff in (Now/Soon/Later, you must meet my wife, A weekend in the country, send in the Clowns etc.)
But they left out some equally as breathtaking songs.
The blissful nostalgia of "Remember" (I know that one was sung by the chorus, but they could have it being sung by Frederick and Desiree) The almost triumphant denial of "In praise of women" (which would have made establishing the character of Carl Magnus much easier just by it's inclusion)
Liasons (aka. now missing Ma'am Armfeld character development)
the sun sit's low (a fun, interesting opening to the second act, that the film didn't really need, but still)
and the Miller's son (aka. Now missing Petra character development)
I earnestly despise Ann's character in this. Like, to an unhealthy degree. I cannot for the life of me understand how she's supposed to be the slightest bit likable.
While the movie has obviously much bigger issues, I find it odd to cast two blond men of a similar age as two male leads, then style them virtually the same, giving them the same facial hair and similar attire. I know that it was the 19th century, but some distinction could have been done.
I saw the original B'way production with Glynis Johns. Having taken the overnight coach from Montreal, I was a little "stoned,' but still enchanted by the production. Beats Rodgers an Hammerstein any time.
Not every Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The ultimate success of any musical is the adaptation of the material and the perspective that the composer/lyricist bring to the project. Perhaps being stoned and as a foreigner in America helped. I never need pot to appreciate ALNM.
You never address the fact that in the stage version the angsty seminary student is called Henrik. Why is he Eric in the movie? I was annoyed.
+Elizabeth Power For reasons unfathomable, the film version moves the setting of the musical from Sweden to Austria, and some of the names where changed to fit--Henrik/Erich is the most obvious, but Carl-Magnus and Charlotte's last name is changed from Malcom to Mittleheim, and Fredrik's name is slightly altered to Frederick. (Fredrika/Fredericka follows suit in this.) I didn't address it because I couldn't think of a good place to work it in, but yes, it is odd and rather irritating if you're familiar with the original. (Not to mention we lose the whole "perpetual anticipation" theme in the second half along with Sweden's never-setting summer sun....)
@@MusicalHell m
What I find so intriguing yet disturbing, is how could Hal Prince who directed the stage version so brilliantly, believe for one minute that this film version was remotely acceptable? Did he not see error upon error being committed?
@@MusicalHell in the liner notes for the soundtrack cd to the film,its mentioned that the reason they switched locations was due to money..i think it was just not in the budget to film in Sweden..
Great review! And definitely a messy movie. I remember the poor editing as well as the bad lighting and the boring sets and the dreadful casting (save Dames Rigg and Gingold).
I saw a wonderful production in the '80s with Patrice Munsel, so I know what it's supposed to be like and the film ain't it!
Wish I could have seen Patrice in this. Loved her!
Honestly, as an asexual, I kinda feel shitty whenever "not wanting to have sex" is treated as a sign of immaturity...
Diana Rigg was always the Queen of Shade
19:53 I thought making people step on Legos was too evil even for Hell.
ALNM is one of my all time favorite SONDHEIM scores so i hated this movie too even as i still love it on stage...great review!
Yes to all of this. But I think you forgot a sin. While I understand paring the soundtrack back to make it more compact, removing Madame Armfeldt's song Liaisons, while still having the melody underscore her scenes just to remind all of us who knew it that it wasn't there, was absolute blasphemy. It Hermione deserved to deliver that on film (and to perform the death at the end).
This movie had SO much potential to be a great movie musical....
Gonna be honest, the song the girl sings/plays at the 3:25 mark reminds me a lot of "Portobello Road" from Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
I admit that I have not seen this - or even seen Liz Taylor in very much. Her liveliest was in The Flinstones for me ... and I've seen North and South in which she had more of a repeating cameo than a role... I've seen a large chunk of Cleopatra... I don't quite get her acting appeal ... but that could just be me. No doubt my mother was named after her for a reason. She isn't BAD, and she WAS gorgeous... at least her eyes were.
You not only are blind but an idiot if your only reference to Elizabeth Taylor is “The Flintstones”. “A chunk of ‘Cleopatra’”; Do you eat films? If your mother was named after her, Why don’t you ask your grandmother and mother about her appeal instead of making stupid TH-cam postings.
Elizabeth Taylor looks like Delta Burke in this for some weird reason...took me a second to realize who it was...
"Glorious Lives" sounds a bit like that one song sometimes used for the background of Markiplier and Ethan's now-deleted collab TH-cam series that was set to go on for exactly a year.
Bless you, TH-cam preservationists, you guys are the real heroes!
It looks like the clips used here are from the old VHS tape. I wonder if a remastering and proper aspect ratio would improve this movie's look at all.
It still is a somewhat waxworks staging with muddy sound - the songs on the original cast album have a wonderful crisp chamber-music quality.
When you give favorite artists punishments like Hal Prince's, you're practically begging the folks downstairs to send you worse crap-both as punishment and to make sure you judge their even less-capable artists more fairly. Or at least harshly.
Even with you narrating i had a really hard time following the plot of this one.
It's sad that they didn't make more musicals based on Bergman movies. I really wonder how a musical version of Virgin Spring would've been.
The Diva seems to think this was Hal Prince's first movie. "Something for Everyone," anyone? Vincente Minnelli should have been the obvious choice, but even he was long past his prime.
Of course, if The Diva had really wanted to stick it to this movie, she could have summed it up with the shot of Len Cariou singing "Embarrassing" in the opening number.
Shouldn't a film called "A Little Nightmusic" be about Mozart?
15:57 You know, it's such a shame you didn't do this review five years later. It would've been way more sick if you used that scene from the 2017 It film where the Skarsgard Pennywise danced in all of those freaking flames, or even a scene of the Phoenix Joker
Also, you forget to put "It (1990)" in the credits of this video
Call me a psycho, but I actually like the sound quality in this film. It's so delightfully vintage and makes it seem like you're listening to an actually old movie from back when musical cinema was great. It certainly makes up for the God awful visuals. I really do blame the print a lot though. Some moments of this print are so bad that in one scene you can see a black slash across it in marker or paint right across Len Cariou's face! It's, as he would say, "emBAAAAArasing".
You are a PSYCHO! Happy?
I love Elizabeth Taylor. I might see this just for her.
Holy crap, I had no clue Lady Holiday was in this.
I wonder if anyone else besides me caught your reference to The Great Muppet Caper.
I kept thinking after there'd be a cut to the "It's plot exposition, it has to go somewhere." line after 12:47-13:00.
I know this was several years after but I keep thinking of Extras; you expect Ricky Gervais to sidle into shot before the director shouts 'Cut!' Ashley Jensen as Maggie could have played Lesley Anne Down's part.
Do you mean we owe to Glynis Jones' limited singing ability that beautiful product of a song 'Send In the Clowns'?
Yes. Originally that spot in the play was for Frederick to tell Desiree it was overt but the spot was given to Desiree. Sondheim knew her vocal limitations and wrote it in Boston.
16:04 ... you predicted Joker (2019).
I recognized the song thanks to this video.
Down was gorgeous.
Wait...isn’t that opening part of the stage musical framing device?
that looks like the same little girl from Rigoletto
I like to cast in other movies like
In Encanto
Julieta Madrigal as Desiree Armfeldt
Agustin Madrigal as Fredrik Egerman
Alma Madrigal as Madame Armfeldt
Isabela Madrigal as Anne Egerman
Felix Madrigal as Carl-Magnus Malcolm
Pepa Madrigal as Charlotte Malcolm
Camilo Madrigal as Henrik Egerman
Dolores Madrigal as Petra
Mirabel Madrigal as Fredrika Armfeldt
Mariano Guzman as Frid
In Barbie as the Island Princess
Danielle as Desiree Armfeldt
Peter as Fredrik Egerman
Arianna (Even she’s a bad person) as Madame Armfeldt
Rosella as Anne Egerman
Frazer as Carl-Magnus Malcolm
Marissa as Charlotte Malcolm
Antonio as Henrik Egerman
Luciana as Petra
Gina as Fredrika Armfeldt
Julian in Pink as Frid
In Les Miserables
Fantine as Desiree Armfeldt
Jean Valjean as Fredrik Egerman
Baptistine/Sister Simplice as Madame Armfeldt
Cosette as Anne Egerman
Javert/Thenardier as Carl-Magnus Malcolm
Mme. Thenardier/Touissant as Charlotte Malcolm
Marius as Henrik Egerman
Eponine as Petra
Azelma as Fredrika Armfeldt
Enjolras as Frid
In Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
Isabella as Desiree Armfeldt
Randolph as Fredrik Egerman
Princess Book as Madame Armfeldt
Genevieve as Anne Egerman
Fabian/Desmond as Carl-Magnus Malcolm
Rowena/Ashlyn as Charlotte Malcolm
Derek as Henrik Egerman
Fallon as Petra
Lacey as Fredrika Armfeldt
Golden Prince as Frid
I’m sorry, seeing Tim Curry yucking it up in the corner of ‘Send In The Clowns’ made me laugh hard
This is a fair review, I think. I often defend the film and that's partly because it has the reputation as being THE worst movie adaptation of a stage musical--which I would say it assuredly isn't.
I think it is very well cast (yes even Liz and Lesley-Ann), what is kept (and added) to the original score is superbly done (even with the same women doubling for Anne, Fredericka and, half the time, Liz)--even shuffling Now/Soon/Later works, as does cutting and giving a bit to Mme Armfeldt for Weekend and the new Glamorous Life is sublime (and I disagree--one part where the film comes to life), Diana Rigg is outstanding, the Weekend in the Country section is another part it comes to life (apparently Sondheim helped plan the edits). But for such a cinematic stage director, the tired and oddly lifeless way that Prince films it sinks the whole project (as does the low budget but that's what you get with Roger COrman's company.) Actually I prefer Prince's earlier, and only other, film the great black comedy Something for Everyone--also filmed in Vienna, with a score (no vocals) by John Kander and a script by Night Music's Hugh Wheeler-finally coming to DVD this Fall. It also suffers from that kinda lifeless style Prince shows on film, but less so.
Anyway, I do go back and watch this every so often. And, when I don't want to listen to the full score or am in a rush (ha) the Soundtrack album is actually the one I go to (scandalous I know!).
I do think that Weekend works really well due to the editing but re the drab visuals--*some* of that apparently is due to the horrible print condition (the best print that could be found). Image was going to remaster it for a DVD release and then decided that it wasn't worth the money and wouldn't be easy to improve (and then we got the bare bones, budget release from Hen's Tooth, whoever they are).
And I will say, I always thought it was clear Mme Armfeldt died--she's not in the theatre ending (I also always found it clear that Fredericka is Frederick's daughter).
EricMontreal22 What would you say is the worst movie adaption of a play musical?
Matthew Ryan
Nine is up there for me--though at least it has some great performances. But, probably A Chorus Line (not an imaginative pick, I know...) Of course there are some older ones too--in the 1930s lots of movie musicals based on stage shows cut most of the music. Or On the Town which is a fine movie with typical great Gene Kelly dancing but replaces most of Bernstein's score with unmemorable new stuff by others... Surely I am forgetting something even worse.
Matthew Ryan I'd say the worst film adaptation of a musical is "My Fair Lady", with "Hello, Dolly!" and "Mame" right behind.
I personally disagree about My Fair Lady. It kept most, if not all, of the songs and had great acting, even kept Rex Harrison, and I don't think many adaptations of the time chose to keep some of the original cast. I personally dislike the talk-singing that Harrison did, which he did in the stage version too. It does beg the question why they didn't choose someone who could actually sing for their lead role in either version. But it is at least very fun to watch and sing along with. I can't say the same about Cabaret, though, which is the worst film adaptation that I can think of...among shows I've seen both versions of, that is. Liza's voice was borderline screaming, they swapped the nationalities of the leads, took out half the songs, and I believe even took out the main plot device that affected the status quo of the two leads' romance. Bye Bye Birdie is also a weaker adaptation. I agree about A Chorus Line, but its performances are fantastic.
Had no idea that "Send in the clowns" was the name of that song.
Thank goodness I have never seen this version with its star studded cast. Taylor’s version of Send in the Clowns ruins it all. When produced well and proper actors for the roles present, its performance on a theatrical stage is a delight.
Send in the Clowns should go without saying, eh?
My roomy and I thought you were saying "Hell Prince" the entire time. Which was kinda funny.
I knew only one song because of Krusty the clown 😂
Sondheim makes this enjoyable and it is Hal Prince. But, so many things here could have been better. Len Cariou, Hermione Gingold (RIP) and Laurence Guttard are all veterans of this Broadway production, and Hal Prince. But 11% on RT. I am always impressed with Diana Rigg . Elizabeth Taylor was here.
The single biggest sin in all of Hollywood musical history was the casting of Elizabeth Taylor in A Little Night Music. It's so big a sin, that it also occupies the 2nd and 3rd positions on my greatest sins list. Yes... it really is that bad. Sure, the film has a host of other problems that you rightly cite, but I will never get past the ET issue... never. And for that reason, I won't watch it a second time. TBH, I barely got through the first viewing. UGH.
I assumed they themselves were the "clowns" in that everyone's acting like reality TV idiots and she realizes this would be hilarious if it happened to someone else
Terrific examination. The stage show is one of my favorite works, but this film is largely dreck. As for "Send in the Clowns," Desiree wants clowns to come in because she can't think what to say....well, until the next lyric line occurs to her. But don't regret that Sondheim was perhaps being too cerebral -- enough modern writers dumb things down for the audience, so I'm grateful that he makes people think. Go see "Cats" if you want easy entertainment.
About the "Saving Grace" part, what's this "Natch" supposed to be, the number that was playing at the time?
Short for "naturally."
Thanks. That makes sense now that you say so.
Musical Hell: “Doin’ what comes natch”
I’ve never really considered Fleur from Alegria, especially the movie version, a traditional clown. Maybe anti-clown?
Also you should do Alegria le film. So much about that movie..
I absolutely *adore* A Little Night Music, but this movie . . . yeah, let it burn
Wasn't there a newer filmed version with Catherine Zeta Jones?
+Fred Pryce Hmm, I thought that was filmed for TV...
She did perform Send in the Clowns for the Tony Awards which was broadcast on TV though
In 1990 the New York City Opera production was filmed for Live at Lincoln Center (it's on youtube but hasn't been commercially released). It's not bad, though I find the empty set on that huge stage annoying (I wish they had used Aronson's original famous designs). Maybe that's what you're thinking of? Sally Ann Howes (from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) stared.
Wait, I must be thinking of the Studio 54 production with CZJ...I think Angela Lansbury was in it as well?
SHe was--but never filmed. Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch followed them. Great cast, but it was a disappointing production I thought from Trevor Nunn (who really did better with similar, but less clever, material with A Little Night Music. I mean--there's no way Mme Armfeldt would have a dinner party as a PICNIC!)
Wait is Desiree the same actress who was, uh....Katherine in a film version of the Taming Of The Shrew?? I think I recognize her from Overly Sarcastic Production's TotS video.
Yes. She was also famous for CLEOPATRA, NATIONAL VELVET, CAT ON A HOT TIN TOOF, WHO’S AFRIAD OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, an immense jewelry collection (especially diamonds, I don’t mean rhinestones), 7or 8 husbands, being a loyal friend and active involvement or founding considerable charities. I forget her name.
@@johnpickford4222 Elizabeth Taylor? Diva says it a few times in the video...
Yeah, Elizabeth Taylor played Katherine in the Taming Of The Shrew movie. It came out in 1968
@@musiccubed2650 Holy shit, I had no idea. I don't think OSP mentioned it in their video, and I never looked into it.
The score to A Little Night Music is one of my favorites but I can’t bring myself to watch the entire movie. Elizabeth Taylor’s Send in the Clowns is horrendous. The only other musical I have the same problem with is Camelot. Gorgeous score but boring movie
9:42 Was she in Mary Poppins?
Yes indeed--Glynis Johns played the role of Mrs. Banks.
We're the shots actually dark or is there something wrong with my phone
“We’re” instead of “were”? It’s not the darkness or you phone but you.
@@johnpickford4222”you phone”
The film fell flat considering all the talent involved is a sin indeed! Did Elizabeth Taylor perform her own singing? Seems as if she was dubbed! Check out Diana Rigg in Cannon's "Snow White" she's deliciously campy as the Queen in a bizarre film version of the classic story by elcheapo film studio Cannon Films! Seems like just the type of film musical you'd condemn!
I played Mrs. Segstrom in this and I HATE the lyric changes for "The Glamourous Life" (also hate making it a Frederika solo) and "Weekend in the Country" in this film. The only saving grace in the film for me is Diana Rigg.
Diana Rigg is the saving grace in life.
I wonder what are your thoughts on the Sweeney Todd movie. Do you like it, apart from Helen Bonham Carter, or is it another contender for musical hell. Either way, it's a lot better than this movie.
harrietamidala1691 Decidedly mixed. I liked Burton's visual style and what he did with a lot of the songs, but the cast is hit-or-miss and the absence of the chorus parts really lessens the score. Overall, I don't think it's terrible, it's just that the source material is so much better.
Musical Hell What other members of the cast did you not like? I thought Johnny Depp and Sacha Baron Cohen were quite good, but I don't know what they were thinking making Timothy Spall sing.
Amie Fortman I think Bonham-Carter was my biggest gripe--Jayne Wisener was thin-voiced but not grating, and Depp managed to cover his vocal shortcomings with his acting performance. It's been a while since I've seen the movie, though, so it's a little hard for me to remember specifics.
Musical Hell Yeah, I can see the possible issue with Jayne Wisener. I sang "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" one year for an audition, and let me tell you, it requires a lot more than she gave us in the movie.
Musical Hell Do you think it would ever be an episode of Musical Hell?
even happiness of the katakuris, whose tone gets more lighthearted to the point of mild insanity, let the grandpa die. he was cheered on after flying into the sky leaving behind a trail of sparkles, but I digress.
You ‘digressed’ when you decided to post a bullshit comment.
@@johnpickford4222 ?
Charles Stanford: Yes?
@@johnpickford4222 I'm a touch confused on why you decided to complain about a movie?
Charles Stanford: Because the section is called “Musical Hell” and each segment is devoted to a particular musical film that was poorly made. You didn’t think they were praising the film did you? Maybe you are confused.
Len Cariou looks absolutely beautiful in this film.
The original casting was Robert Stephens (Maggie Smith’s ex) but the chemistry wasn’t right-whatever that means-so he was replaced. I read that there were frontal nude shots of Cariou taken on the set in the cut bathing/shower scene but they weren’t included on the DVD extra features.
It's pedestrian to be sure, but I do love to watch it fail! Lol!
11:51 ... did they end up running over that chicken? 🐓🚙
A Little Night Music is one of my favorite musicals, but the movie version of it is absolute garbage. If I want to watch a video of the musical I have a copy of the 1990 production by the New York City Opera Company starring Sally Ann Howes as Desiree Armfeldt.
15:22 If you think that the title inspires the wrong imagery, you should see Judy Collins sing it on the Muppet Show: m.th-cam.com/video/cIqx5_w-dnk/w-d-xo.html
This needs to be updated and when we see real clowns, add pennywise 🤣
Updated to what??
I though little night music was muscial about a circus because song call send in clowns we was lie too
You is idiot who can’t spel!
Stephen Sondheim can do no wrong tho...
Pauline Kael's review in THE NEW YORKER said, "Hal Prince directs as if he had never SEEN a movie!" (She could be mean...)
An earlier movie Prince directed is the bisexual comedy SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. Penelope Gilliatt's review, also in THE NEW YORKER, said, "Not much for anyone, really.... If you're stuck in it, you may as well enjoy it, like the Blitz." (A particularly British reference!)
Well, truth hurts. Many Broadway directors are called to Hollywood, but very few succeed.
It's visually flat! Taylor is squeaky I guess Liz was still viable Box Office Star 1978! Lesley Ann Down was enjoyable as was Miss Rigg!
emma peel singing ?😁I forgive her this , she did worst in dr who
But was great in mother love bbc 1989😀
+amy clarke elizabeth taylor on the other hand 😉
Who, what??
That's "un-re-QUITE-ed" love. English, ma'am.
The Plural for LEGO is LEGO.
In Italia the plural is LEGHI
@@johnpickford4222 Good To Know.