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From: sas@leadsv.UUCP (Scott Stewart)
Newsgroups: net.movies,net.theater
Subject: Re: Musicals: Stage to screen
Message-ID: <475@leadsv.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Jun-85 12:32:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: leadsv.475
Posted: Fri Jun 14 12:32:01 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 19-Jun-85 04:08:36 EDT
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Two musicals which I felt were done quit well on the big screen were
'The Music Man' and 'West Side Story'. I never actually seen a 
professional stage version of either of these but I have seen some
very good amateur productions (College and High School). 'The Music
Man' movie seemed to stay very true to the stage version. I've read
a copy of the stage script for 'West Side Story' and I think that the 
movie improved upon the stage version in two ways. On stage, the rumble
takes place at the end of Act 1. To get Act 2 of to a snappy start, the
"Officer Krupke" song is performed. The movie, not having acts, puts
the "Kool" number after the rumble, which, to me, makes more sense sinse
the feelings are much more intense in this dance and match the moods the
Jets would probably feel right after the rumble. The second change that
I liked was the "America" number. The movie had the musical debate about
the good life of America be between the male and the female 'PRs' instead
of two sets of females. I just personally like this better. By far, this
is my favorite musical, both stage and screen version.

Another musical that wasn't done to badly on screen was 'Godspell', though
I feel the stage version was better because it expresses the joy, passion,
and pain in a more intimate environment, allowing the audience to feel the
emotions much better.

'Guys and Dolls' was much less colorful on the screen than the stage version,
especially when they removed two of the better songs. And boy, could that
Brando sing.

'Jesus Christ, Superstar' was weakened somewhat by the directors idea of
tieing the Gospell story to modern day imagery. I talking about the Jets
flying through, the tanks chasing Judas, and the cast arriving and leaving
on a bus. It was interesting, but somewhat distracting because now you
have to figure out this new visual imagery that I don't feel added to the
story.

But the worst translation of a musical to the screen has got to be
'A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum'. This was one of the 
funniest musicals I've seen, with hilarious characters. But the movie
was boring and very unfunny. I smiled only once, and that to a new line
they added. The charm of the stage version was that it had a 
Vaudevillian/Burlesque feel, which the movie didn't, and probalbly
couldn't catch. Don't even waste your time watching the movie.

Any comments on the above or other movies would be interesting. So lets
hear your opinions. Your favorites and least favorites.



					Scott A. Stewart
					LMSC