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rcl1316
Reviews
South Pacific (2001)
Outstanding production of legendary musical play.
I was a bit apprehensive about the show before I watched it. Glenn Close at 54 didn't seem right for the part. Unfortunately, there are no Doris Days or June Allysons around these days to play the part of Nellie.
I was surprised at the excellent performance Miss Close gave---right from the get-go (no Mary Martin, but every bit as good, if not better than Mitzi Gaynor). She was outstanding. Harry Connick, Jr., was also very good---reminiscent of a young Frank Sinatra.
All in all, the production was top-notch, including the chorus. Missed was Ray Walston at Luther Billis (in both the original and movie versions). No one could take his place.
Definitely a "10."
When It Was a Game (1991)
Beautiful "memory" of baseball as it used to be.
This was one of the most beautifully narrated picture of "real" professional baseball as it was before it became a game of mediocre, millionaire imitations. The home movies of some of the outstanding ball players (who, unfortunately, will never be equalled was a joy to behold. Just seeing some of these men---my boyhood heroes---brought me to tears.
It was beautifully produced. I taped it to save forever.
Come to the Stable (1949)
Beautiful poignant story, in the vein of Bells of St. Marys.
"Come to the Stable" is a beautiful, sentimental movie, in the vein of "Bells of St. Marys" and "Going My Way." I saw it many years ago before buying the video and seeing it again. Loretta Young, unquestionably one of the great actresses of all time, is outstanding as a dedicated nun. So is Celeste Holm. It is easy to see why they were nominated for oscars. The picture itself received (I believe) six nominations.
The picture has you pulling for these dedicated nuns to accomplish their task. As with movies of this era, of course they do.
It is well worth watching.
Annie Get Your Gun (1950)
Excellent! Betty Hutton was born to play this role.
I bought the 50th year anniversary edition of "Annie Get Your Gun" recently. I hadn't seen the film in almost 40 years, since it had never been released on VHS. Betty Hutton was outstanding in the role of Annie Oakley. The role was made for her. Although I do like Judy Garland, she did not belong in this role.
The new video included clips of the songs she sang before she was fired. There is no comparison. The "Incendiary Blonde" comes across with a 10-star performance. This, in spite of the fact that she was snubbed and treated shabbily by the M-G-M cast and crew who wanted Judy to have the role. (I recently saw an interview of Betty on TCM, where she discussed the picture.)
The film was Betty's greatest triumph---even better than "The Greatest Show On Earth."