I saw only the last scene on Classic Arts Showcase last night but
had seen the complete movie some time ago. I'd also seen a few
versions of the play and I think Hollywood, with its emphasis on
realism in a non-realistic stage play may have had no choice in
what they came up with. Otherwise, it would look like a filmed
stage play which was not something done much at the time, if at
all.
But, in so doing, the results are more corny, more folksy-cutesy
than Wilder envisioned. But I also wonder whether a "cemetery"
ending could have been convincing even if they were willing. I think
it would work better on stage.
In the excerpt, I thought the awakening trivialized what came before
which was quite powerful. But I thought as well that it was nice to
hear the Copland music in context and to see Frank Craven in his
original part of the Stage Manager. In short, a highly mixed bag in a
no-win situation.
had seen the complete movie some time ago. I'd also seen a few
versions of the play and I think Hollywood, with its emphasis on
realism in a non-realistic stage play may have had no choice in
what they came up with. Otherwise, it would look like a filmed
stage play which was not something done much at the time, if at
all.
But, in so doing, the results are more corny, more folksy-cutesy
than Wilder envisioned. But I also wonder whether a "cemetery"
ending could have been convincing even if they were willing. I think
it would work better on stage.
In the excerpt, I thought the awakening trivialized what came before
which was quite powerful. But I thought as well that it was nice to
hear the Copland music in context and to see Frank Craven in his
original part of the Stage Manager. In short, a highly mixed bag in a
no-win situation.