Reviews Written By: A1HNTJ0BTXZYCUprovided by Amazon.com |
 | ||
 | Anyone Can Whistle (1964 Original Broadway Cast) | |
 | "Good score; rotten show" | 2007-08-17 |
| I wonder how many Sondheim fans have actually seen this dreadful show. Somewhere in the 90's I saw a revival in Los Angeles. While the performers could not hold a candle to those performing on the cast album, it was painfully clear that the show itself was tedious, overwrought and not half the fun that I'm sure was intended. In a number of post-mortems the show was referred to as "a bitter pill" or condescending and I couldn't agree more. Who's crazy and who isn't and calling the audience nuts, even if they've chosen to come and see your show, is a little much for anyone to take. I personally found the whole affair to be insufferable. Taken on its own,however, the music on this album is wonderful and beautifully performed. I understand that Remick and Guardino were not as good vocally on stage as this album suggests but I guess it doesn't make much difference. They certainly sound fine here. Ultimately, the show is a true bomb but like a few others I could mention, the score on its own makes for enjoyable listening. | ||
 | Stephen Sondheim - Anyone Can Whistle (1964 Original Broadway Cast) | |
| "Good score; rotten show" | 2007-08-17 |
| I wonder how many Sondheim fans have actually seen this dreadful show. Somewhere in the 90's I saw a revival in Los Angeles. While the performers could not hold a candle to those performing on the cast album, it was painfully clear that the show itself was tedious, overwrought and not half the fun that I'm sure was intended. In a number of post-mortems the show was referred to as "a bitter pill" or condescending and I couldn't agree more. Who's crazy and who isn't and calling the audience nuts, even if they've chosen to come and see your show, is a little much for anyone to take. I personally found the whole affair to be insufferable.
Taken on its own,however, the music on this album is wonderful and beautifully performed. I understand that Remick and Guardino were not as good vocally on stage as this album suggests but I guess it doesn't make much difference. They certainly sound fine here. Ultimately, the show is a true bomb but like a few others I could mention, the score on its own makes for enjoyable listening. | ||
 | Champagne for Caesar | |
 | "Picture is fun and smart. The sound, just awful." | 2003-01-21 |
| "Champagne for Caesar" was a film I saw in my early days of film going. I've always remembered it as a smart and funny film, especially notable for Celeste Holmes sophisticated turn as Ronald Coleman's charming nemesis and Vincent Price's off-the-wall performance as the eccentric manufacturor of "Milady Soap, The Soap That Sanctifies." I looked forward to this DVD but must report that technically it falls too far short to recommend. About a quarter of the way into it, the sound turns extremely harsh and is almost unlistenable. Later still, intrusive scratches and smudges-- that surely could have been eliminated--suddenly intrude, spoiling the moment. "Champagne for Caesar" remains a charming romp but not in this presentation. | ||
| © 2009 GoSale.com (S1) |