RAGTIME on screen

[thez914]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 1:19am

Is it just me, or would this kick major butt if made into a movie. I feel like the story could be made so much clearer (what with all the characters and locations), plus getting to see all the locations fleshed out (the house, the ships, the tenements, the factory, atlantic city...). I know the book has already been adapted into a movie, but damn...

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 1:21am

Amen.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 1:58am

i would actually pay 7.50 to see this as a movie

[dididda]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 2:05am

as long as audra's doing daddy's son , i'm there

[Urban]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 4:02am

I actually like the original movie but I'd LOVE a Musical movie.

Seriously I am so with you buddy! I'd proberly easily see it 20 times without question. "Ragtime" is without doubt my favorite musical ever.

Updated On: 12/7/05 at 04:02 AM

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 4:44am

I too would be a HUGE supporter for this Stage show as a Film Musical...but with the following exceptions...

1)Chris Columbus is NEVER behind the camera

The Principal Cast is as Follows:

Coalhouse-Brian Stokes Mitchell
Sarah-Audra McDonald or Jennifer Hudson
Father-TBA (this is a tough one for me)
Mother-Christine Ebersole
Grandfather-F. Murry Abraham
Younger Brother-TBA
Evelyn Nesbit-Christina Applegate (would she not be GORGEOUS!?)
Houdini-Hank Azaria

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 5:01am

Chris Columbus directs? I haven't seen anything "directed" by him...

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 6:50am

There was a thread about this back in the summer. Many of us were in agreement that of the Hollywood actresses, Julianne Moore would make the best Mother.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 7:59am

I would LOOOOOVVVEEE to see this, as long as Audra and Brian did it.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 9:58am

This would quite possibly be the only thing to make me more excited than the Rent movie.

I agree--as long as it's cast well, I'd be there.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 9:59am

I would love to see this as a film as well, but I don't think it will happen... at least not for a while. There is no real way to do it without spending a lot of money. It's a huge production, with many locations (whether real or recreated). And a big cast.

As far as cast... They would have to use film stars, guys. None of the names mentioned are draws enough across the country to bring people in to see a period piece about New York. You can wince at the thought of it, but that's the reality.

[Urban]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 10:29am

You know as huge an Audra and Brian fan I am, I would be interested in other actors and actresses interpretation of the role.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 10:47am

In my opinion, this film would be great as a musical or nonmusical. For me, the story itself is so powerful, it could work either way. In terms of a musical, I could imagine such numbers as "Journey On" "The Prologue" and "getting Ready Rag" filmed to perfection!!! This musical by the way is easily one of my favorites!
Just to let everyone know, it seems that there already is a movie with Mandy Patakin(sp) as Tateh...interesting.
http://product.half.ebay.com/Ragtime_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ6483534

Updated On: 12/7/05 at 10:47 AM

[broadway86]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 10:59am

My favorite musical...

Coalhouse - JESSE L. MARTIN
Mother - Not sure. LEA THOMPSON?
Tateh - ROBIN WILLIAMS
Father - KEVIN KLINE
Sarah - DEBORAH COX
Mother's Younger Brother - NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
Emma Goldman - KATHY BATES
Evelyn Nesbit - ANNE HATHAWAY
Harry Houdini - HUGH JACKMAN
Booker T. Washington - DENNIS HAYSBERT
Henry Ford - ALAN CUMMING
J.P. Morgan - RICHARD GRIFFITHS

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 11:14am

GYPSY1527---I assume you know Ragtime already is a terrific non-musical film? The focus of the narative stories is different than the musical, but it still works beautifully. If you haven't seen it, you must. Howard Rollins, Jr., was brilliant (and Oscar nominated) as Coalhouse, and Debbie Allen in a very small turn as Sarah, is astonishing and affecting. Mandy Patinkin is great as Tateh, Mother is the sturdy Mary Steenbergen, and James Cagney is marvelous as the police Comissioner (in his final film role, and looking strangely like Tik Tok from one of the Oz books for some reason). There are many other good performances in it, and it was directly by Milos Foreman (Hair, Amadeus, Cuckoo's Nest, etc.)
IMBd Link

[Urban]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 2:22am

That is quiet a good castlist broadway86, though for some reason I see Alan Cummings as Harry Houdini.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 9:12am

I actually didn't know it was made into a non-musical film. I'll have to check it out!

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 10:13am

GYPSY1527 --- Then you're in for a treat!

I forgot to mention two other key stand-outs in the film: Elizabeth McGovern as Evelyn Nesbitt (also Oscar nominated---the part is much bigger in this film), and Randy Newman's georgeous (robbed-of-the-Oscar) music score.