 "Julie Andrews and Her Songs" | 2009-05-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2PM4C9ASSLGWK |
| Film is somewhat slow but the production numbers and songs are a definite, PLUS! The CD to this films is a constant delight at any time. |
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| "The "Real" Gertrude Lawrence Story" | 2009-02-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A17LEYMZI8OYOQ |
This is a dazzling piece of entertainment; a superb show business biography and one of the last grand movie musicals.
The film's musical numbers, as staged by Michael Kidd, are fabulous.
The three-hour motion picture, directed by Robert Wise, stars Julie Andrews as Gertrude Lawrence, a great star of the musical theater during the 1920s-early 1950s. Among the legendary shows in which Ms. Lawrence appeared were PRIVATE LIVES, LADY IN THE DARK, OH, KAY!, SUSAN AND GOD and, near the end of her life, she was the original Anna in THE KING AND I, co-starring Yul Brynner.
STAR! is not your typical whitewashed musical bio. It has a hard edge. Ms. Lawrence is portrayed as a woman who, with the exception of best friend Noel Coward (nicely portrayed by Daniel Massey in a role that garnered him an Oscar nomination), had trouble maintaining close relationships, even with her own daughter. She had numerous men in her life, often drank to excess, underwent bankruptcy and, with a star's superego, was not always the nicest person to be around.
A major box-office disappointment when it was first released, probably because movie audiences were not familiar with Gertrude Lawrence, STAR! underwent several alterations (i.e. major cuts, revised ad campaign and even a new title, THOSE WERE THE HAPPY TIMES) in 20th Century Fox's futile effort to turn the film's financial fortunes around. It was, ultimately, pulled from release and remained virtually unseen for many years.
Now restored to it's original "roadshow" version, the DVD features audio commentary by Wise, a 25th Anniversary featurette, plus other extras.
© Michael B. Druxman |
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 "Watch "Men Are Not Gods" with Miriam Hopkins and get the real Gertrude Lawrence" | 2009-01-04 |
| - Reviewed By annakarenina7 |
I feel that Gertrude Lawrence is just not represented by Julie Andrews. Even though British, and so forth, if you have ever seen Gertrude Lawrence (in such films as "Men Are Not Gods" with Miriam Hopkins and Rex Harrison), the real Gertrude is just not in this film, most especially the script.
Julie Andrews obviously put everything into this, as I think Robert Wise did, but the casting and script did no justice to what could have been a magnificent movie about an electric performer. A real mistake was made in the ending in not dealing with Gertrude Lawrence's influence in bringing "The King and I" to Broadway and initially starring opposite Yul Brenner, as well as leaving out her relationship with Beatrice Lillie.
This film was not well enough researched, and the script shows it. And as to the recent DVD release, much was left out (that I understand is on the Laserdisc version), and the transfer to DVD just not live up to the original Todd-AO film process.
Releasing this film on DVD in it's full length and color would have helped in at least providing what was intended by Robert Wise in the beginning.
You will get more of Gertrude Lawrence in watching the 1930's British made "Men Are Not Gods" with Miriam Hopkins in the starring role. They paired quite well together. This movie is delightful, and in this film you will get the real Gertrude Lawrence. In watching Star!, you will get an impressive piece of film history, that could have been so different and much better! A shame since no money was spared in this production, and that definitely shows especially in the costumes, music and sets. |
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| "Anatomy of a Flop" | 2008-09-15 |
| - Reviewed By mahlerii |
| I have waited to write my review of Star! but I now have the wherewithal to do so. This movie was a flop-twice. Then why is it so interesting? I know 'bad' movies such as "Wild Women of Wongo" but that wasn't a big studio production. This is different. This was the time of the death knell for movie musicals. I love movie musicals, but the times were changing in the late 60's. When The Sound of Music was made, this erosion was just starting. Also, when Blake Edwards became involved with Julie, he wanted her to play less "innocent" roles. This certainly could pose as one. Andrews plays Gerturde Lawrence, a "star" who was much more well-known in England as she was in the U.S. I'm a little up in arms as to why this movie was called "Star". So this movie gives one an interesting look at the British Music Hall as well as the Algonquin theater in New York. I really like the cockney lingo here, although I wonder if it is accurate because of the criticism given the screenplay. The best part of the film are the musical numbers, which my favorite is "Limehouse Blues" which is almost done in pantomime, as the music of Limehouse Blues gets adapted in many different guises until it is tragic at the end. This sequence should be in movie history. The next best part is the relationship between Gertie and Noel Coward (maybe it should be called that, but Noel Coward was still alive). Having collected a sizable amount of Noel Coward recordings on CD it is interesting to see parts of his stage plays recreated. After all of the relationships with men that she has in the film, the most memorable is with Noel Coward, and that is on a friendship and professional level. Dramatics are provided more from Gertie herself, who tends to want to steal scenes from her stars so her own career can increase. She also has a propensity to not deal with her monetary affairs very well. She finally has a roadblock in the guise of Kurt Weill, whose play "Lady in the Dark" she stars in. Her almost husband brings her to a club where it seems that the act that is being presented gives her the inspiration. But we don't see the act! What is it? Soon afterwards, we see the infamous "Jenny" sequence which makes one wonder if they have overstuffed their coffers. Still, a very intersting sequence considering that you hardly see "Lady In The Dark" in the theater. Everything is big, big, big! Perhaps its this excessiveness that hurts the film. Still, for me this film has many magical moments that makes one love the remote control, so we can make our own version. The DVD is stuffed with extras-on side two we have some documentaries and also a written history of the film. The commentary is very thorough-with comments by Wise, Daniel Massey, and other colloborators. I wish this could be done with other 'flops' too. Time has a way to bring movies into a different light, and I think that "Star" is worth more than it was back then. Too bad that the monetary losses cannot be recouped with DVD sales. So help out and buy the DVD already! |
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| "Ignore the Critics." | 2008-07-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: AWTCA4XTS3EQ2 |
It is very easy to focus on the fact that upon release, this film was a huge bomb. Indeed, many compare this film to Andrew's previous films, such as "The Sound of Music" and "Mary Poppins" which were wildly successful.
But this film is a different animal completely. The usual family friendly Julie Andrews goes against the grain and portrays Gertrude Lawrence as the selfish, difficult, magnetic woman she came to be.
The meat of this film is the endless parade of magical musical numbers. Well-financed, well-choreographed, and beautifully executed, it is undeniable that this is Andrews at her best.
If you take this film as a showcase for Julie Andrews' talents, it is impossible not to fall in love with "Star!" I say, ignore the critics and watch this movie! |
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| "This DVD is a Travesty!" | 2008-04-24 |
| - Reviewed By williamharrisdesigns |
| I am giving this DVD the full star rating because of it's content. The filmmakers had a hard time dealing with the fact that in reality it was not a friendship of two--Gertrude Lawrence and Noel Coward--but a friendship of three--Gertie, Noel, and Beatrice Lillie! Bea Lillie would only give permission to show her likeness if she could play herself. She was at least forty years too old at the time! Besides that, this film is by far one of the three best films Julie Andrews has EVER made--along with "S.O.B." and "Victor/Victoria"! The problem with the DVD is the way it is presented. The film was shot in Todd-AO, a 70mm process that projects a 2:20-1 aspect ratio. This was the ratio the so-called "roadshow" version. The "general release" version was exhibited in a "panavision" or "cinemascope" aspect ratio of 2:35-1. Neither aspect ratio successfully fits in the other, and some cropping is involved. If an a-b comparison is done between the DVD and the Laserdisc versions (which is presented in the true TODD-AO version), it is plain to anyone that the DVD is the panavision version, which has been blown up and cropped to fit the 2:20-1 aspect ratio presentation. In the original version during the overture the theater presenium and orchestra pit are clearly seen. On the DVD they are not. But for those unaware of this who are fans of Julie Andrews, this DVD is a must! It truly makes "The Sound of Music" seem like amateur night!!!! |
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