It's such a great film that I would hate to see it done poorly. I've never really envisioned it as a musical, but if I did, the only songwriting team I can imagine doing it would be Harnick and Bock.
Not really. A filibuster is not really something that lends itself to the stage. Plus you have basically all men and boys- always a tough sell for school groups.
Yeah, the best part of the movie is Jimmy's performance in the fillibuster. Not sure how a fillibuster would translate to stage, while allowing for the chance to show how Taylor's men were getting the news out and stopping Smith's boys.
You Can't Take it With You could be a fun musical, with how quirky that family is. Like Addams Family but a lot lighter Updated On: 3/15/13 at 11:04 PM
Well, who would have thought 1776 would have worked, but it did. Or TS Elliots book of cat poems. But it works. So, you never know. It wouldn't work as a direct translation, but it's a different medium. Things can always be trimmed/changed.
This is my old time favorite movie but I don't see it translating into a musical. As others have mentioned, the fillibuster scence is the dramatic centerpiece of the story and I don't see it working with music. You mentioned a few moments where it has possibility of working but in the end I think they shoud leave it alone or maybe try to do it as a straight play somehow.
This moment alone screams musical number, I think I may just have to pursue this project.:
(They pile off Jeff--who sits up slowly, looking the worse for wear. His pugnacity is gone, and he is calm, hurt and bitter.)
SWEENEY You act like a man with something on your mind--
FLOOD What's the idea--charging in like that on the gentlemen of the Press-- ?
JEFFERSON (bitterly) *Gentlemen*! Gentlemen are supposed to believe in something decent. Instead of twisting facts and making a joke of everything--why don't you tell the people the *truth* for a change?
VOICES The truth! Well, the man wants the truth! "What *is* truth?" asked so-and-so, and turned away!
JEFFERSON That's what I said--the *truth*!
SWEENEY How'll you have it--dished out--or in a bottle?
DIZ Well, if that's what you want, Senator-- sit down--. We'll see what we can do.
JEFFERSON There isn't a chance I'd find it here!
SUMMERS No?
FLOOD Why--*truth* is the *business* of a few of us correspondents, Senator--
The discussion above about talent brings to mind two of the best lines of dialogue ever written for the stage (in my opinion), from Gypsy:
"...all you need is no talent" "You'll excuse me, but to have no talent is not enough"
Anyway, back on topic - i do think that the filibuster could be musicalized with (a) song(s) about Mr. Smith's passionate views. I for one would go and see a musical about that theme. It could even be updated for the somewhat more contentious partisanship environment that exists today, or done as a straight-up period piece.
Anyhow, my suggestion is that you do start working on it and developing your ideas, and then bring collaborators on board to help with whatever areas you feel you need help with. It would be easier to find collaborators once you have developed the idea, i'm guessing (unless you are already a well-known lyricist/librettist/composer, which going from your comments, it sounds like you are not, but please correct me if i'm wrong).