Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
#1Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/6/14 at 3:27pm
Ahead of her Blithe Spirit tour Dame Angela recalls her early career, musical fame and plans for the future: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-ca-angela-lansbury-20141207-column.html#page=2
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#2Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/6/14 at 3:32pmIf Merman were alive, she would probably go up to Lansbury & hauled off and belted her square in the chops. She would have walked away singing "I'll Be Swell I Am Great" etc
Poster Emeritus
#2Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/6/14 at 3:33pmI love listening to Angela Lansbury tell stories. Thanks!
LarryD2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/14
#3Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/6/14 at 4:24pmWell, she's not wrong.
#4Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/6/14 at 4:34pmWhat a wonderful interview. Thanks for sharing.
The D
Swing Joined: 12/6/14
#5Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/6/14 at 5:16pmAngela did both act and sing
#6Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/6/14 at 5:31pm
Did? Does.
(P.S. Welcome back, Spil.Berg!)
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
Updated On: 12/6/14 at 05:31 PM
#7Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 5:57am
Great interview and lovely pictures of Dame Angela. I love how unpretentious and direct she is. Oh, and this quote is ****ing amazing:
"I may be even going back to London to do some Restoration comedy. I think Restoration comedy is great because it's so dirty and slutty, and I think at my age I should do that."
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#8Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 6:12amDid I miss a meltdown where Spil.berg LEFT? Because that would be lovely. (Not to mention whoever else he has been.)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#9Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 9:48am
That's my favorite quote as well.
Gotta love her sense of humor!
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#10Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 10:29amIn the audio that exists of Merman's final Gypsy performance, I think she's pretty much perfect. She lands laughs in places I never knew had laughs, and is like a lost, confused child in the Minsky's dressing room scene. The part is written to play to all of Merman's strengths. Her style might not be for everyone, but this myth that has arisen that she couldn't act seems ill-conceived.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#11Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 11:45am
There's an apocryphal story about Merman delivering the "Ephraim, let me go" speech in Dolly with a tear running down her cheek. She came offstage and announced "See, I told ya I could act!"
Updated On: 12/7/14 at 11:45 AM
AngusN
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
#12Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 12:05pmPersonally, while I believe Angela to be a fantastic actress, I've never thought of her as a singer that I'd like to listen to. Just my preference.
#13Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 12:38pmMerman could act. Watch her films. She also had a very strong, specific personality. I disagree with Ms. Lansbury completely.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
SmokeyLady
Broadway Star Joined: 10/29/14
#14Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 1:21pmMany had the opinion that Merman couldn't act. I saw her in Gypsy and she was definitely not giving it anything at the time.
beaemma
Featured Actor Joined: 11/24/09
#15Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 1:48pmI'd say it depends on what you mean by acting. I saw Ethel Merman on stage in the ANNIE GET YOUR GUN revival and in HELLO DOLLY and saw Angela Lansbury in most of her theatre work since MAME in 1966. I'm a major fan of both ladies. Merman could certainly achieve an emotional effect on stage, but she didn't delve into text and subtext to characterize the way Lansbury does. Merman's acting effects were more on the surface, while Lansbury's come from a deeper place rooted in the character she and the writer have created.
#16Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 2:18pmEthel Merman was very good at playing Ethel Merman.
#17Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 3:17pm
I've really enjoyed some of The Merm's film performances, but her appeal as a musical theatre actress and vocalist is lost on me. I mean, I know she could project and I know she could hold a note, but every time I listen to her or see one of her concert or live appearance clips posted on here I see zero subtext.
I think it's probably a generational thing. Then again, I was born well after Dame Angela's glory days in the musical theatre, and I have no trouble appreciating everything she did.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#18Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/7/14 at 3:30pmSo SmokeyLady is something like 70 years old? That seems unlikely.
#19Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/8/14 at 12:14pmGreat interview! Even MORE excited to see the show on Thursday. What a funny quote, as I recall Debbie Reynolds saying that Merman was a bad actress because she OVER acted.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
#20Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/8/14 at 1:04pmAnd Debbie was a good one?
#21Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/8/14 at 4:07pmBette Davis she ain't, but Debbie Reynolds is a wonderful performer.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#22Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/8/14 at 5:11pmShe was Broadways version of John Wayne acting wise
Poster Emeritus
#23Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/8/14 at 8:49pm
I saw Merman twice in "Gypsy," once from the front row. It's true that Merman was a better singer than actress. But, her "Everything's Coming Up Roses" at the end of act one was thrilling. The same for "Rose's Turn." She should have won the Tony Award that year, rather than Mary Martn, whom I also saw in "The Sound of Music."
Someone should remind Lansbury that Merman received excellent reviews for her acting in "Gypsy." Her acting on TV in "Annie Get Yout Gun" in 1967 was pretty bad. So I can only comment on "Gypsy"--the only time I saw Merman on stage.
#24Dame Angela Lansbury: Merman really couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But boy, could she sing
Posted: 12/8/14 at 9:46pmI don't think anyone needs to remind Angela Lansbury about anything.
