Hello everyone! My name is GreatBroadwayFan and I run a YouTube channel (of the same name) dedicated to talking about/loving/obsessing over Broadway and musical theatre. I am planning to do a couple of episode regarding MOVIE MUSICALS and I want your opinions!
What film adaption of a stage musical do you think deserves/needs a remake and why? Bad casting, unfaithful to the original, etc.
A Little Night Music - this turgid mistake needs to be replaced with a movie that keeps us swirling in the waltz described by Sondheim as whipped cream with knives.
South Pacific - Bart Sher shook off the musty trappings and revealed a still-vital core. The movie never really worked and is now almost unwatchable.
Mame - Please wipe Lucy from our memories
Guys & Dolls - Seeing the revival in the West End in May, I was reminded how fleet this show is. The movie bogs down (and Marlon Brando - really???).
Cabaret- While the original film is lovely, it has nothing to do with the stage show. Also Alan Cumming and Emma Stone would be wonderful on film.
A Little Night Music- Good god the film is dreadful. It honestly looks like a BBC soap opera from the 60's.
Sweeney Todd- It bears almost 0 resemblance to the stage show. Also the singing is soooo bad.
Man Of La Mancha- on top of the fact that I really want Hugh Jackman to sing The Impossible Dream, the singing in the original film is embarrassing.
Into The Woods- like Sweeney, it lost almost all the charm that people loved about the stage show. It was a story that needed to be theatrical and embrace those elements and instead the book was almost entirely rewritten and it had one of the worst advertising campaigns that I have ever seen.
South Pacific and The King and I- I love the films, but they are a little dusty and they're not all that accessible to modern audiences. Also think about all the lovely cinematography that could be possible in a modern film.
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g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "Ranger Tom said: "JCS - needs an edgy treatment."
(Mr. Roxy also voted in favor of this one.)
@Roxy: Why?
@Tom: They tried that. Twice. 2000 and 2012. Didn't work, and went directly to video.
Those weren't really movies. One was a live recording of an arena tour, and the other was a made-for-TV movie that was also basically a recorded stage show.
I agree that a remake is in order. The original movie is good but very dated. I'd like to see something darker and, yes, edgier, made by someone like Lars von Trier.
Jorge - curious why you listed How To Succeed. I thought the movie version was very good at capturing the show and is enjoyable in itself - plus we get to see Robert Morse in his iconic role.
South Pacific and The King and I- I love the films, but they are a little dusty and they're not all that accessible to modern audiences. Also think about all the lovely cinematography that could be possible in a modern film.
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Well, we had that amazing animated remake of The King and I...
Mame could use a remake for sure, but there's apparently a non-musical remake with Tilda Swinton on the way, so it probably won't happen any time soon.
Gypsy might have been put on film twice, but neither has felt cinematic in the least bit. I'd like to see a version that could open up the film a bit and really get into Rose's head. Rose's Turn could be sensational on film.
A Little Night Music was charmless and deserves another shot.
Mame could use a remake for sure, but there's apparently a non-musical remake with Tilda Swinton on the way, so it probably won't happen any time soon.
Gypsy might have been put on film twice, but neither has felt cinematic in the least bit. I'd like to see a version that could open up the film a bit and really get into Rose's head. Rose's Turn could be sensational on film.
A Little Night Music was charmless and deserves another shot.
RENT needs a movie remake! It should include ALL the songs. The RENT movie is what got me into Broadway shows. But after seeing it on Broadway 58 times I realize how amazing the movie could have been had they included all the songs. The whole goodbye love song should have been in the movie. Mimi's part was the most important in that song. Makes no sense to add the whole song to the special features it should have been in the main movie.