Tag Archives: Gossip

Broadway Going Dark?

How this for a travel nightmare: You spend hours trying to secure tickets for your family of six to see “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” on Broadway. You fly from Ohio to New York with your spouse and four children; spend thousands of dollars on airfare, hotel, and meals only to find out that a work stoppage by Broadway stagehands means you will not be getting into today’s show. Can you imagine? I made up the aforementioned scenario, but I have no doubt that right now there are hundreds of disappointed children walking around the Big … Continue reading →

Silk Stockings (1957)

This is going to be another flippy-floppy review. On the one hand, “Silk Stockings” stars Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, so we know we’re in for some great dancing. On the other hand . . . well, I’ll tell you about it as we go. Astaire stars as Steve Canfield, producer of a Hollywood version of “War and Peace.” He has commissioned Russian composer Boroff to write the score, but now that Boroff is in Paris, where the filming will be done, he doesn’t want to go back to Russia. The Soviets send over three agents to investigate, and after … Continue reading →

Royal Wedding (1951)

“Royal Wedding,” starring Fred Astaire and Jane Powell, featured some of the most advanced special effects seen in Hollywood up to that point. I’ll fill you in on the details throughout the review. Tom and Ellen Bowen (Astaire, Powell) are a brother/sister dance team who have made quite a name for themselves on the New York circuit. Their next engagement will take them to London, where they will play their show during the same time span as a royal wedding, and they’re delighted to be a part of those festivities. There’s just one fly in the ointment – Ellen has … Continue reading →

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

In “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and the rest of the gang have just graduated from college. Kermit has written, produced and starred in a musical for the closing finale for the school year, and his fellow graduates think he should take it and the entire cast to Broadway. He’s not so sure, but the others talk him into it, and before he knows it, he’s on his way to New York City. Getting on with an agent is harder than they thought it would be, and it’s not long before they’re sleeping in lockers at the … Continue reading →

Pete’s Dragon (1977)

One of the most proud members of the Disney Gold Collection is “Pete’s Dragon,” the beloved animated/live action movie starring Mickey Rooney and Helen Reddy. When an orphaned Pete (Sean Marshall) runs away from his abusive adoptive home, he stumbles upon the town of Passamaquoddy, a fishing town in Maine. What the residents of this little town don’t know is that Pete has his very own dragon! Not an imaginary friend, although that’s what they think. He’s an actual, real dragon, goes by the name of Elliot, and he’s stinkin’ cute, besides. Lampy (Mickey Rooney) the lighthouse keeper has a … Continue reading →

Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

“Bye Bye Birdie” has been one of the most famous plays, and then famous films, ever made. It’s one of those classics that everyone has seen and admits is a part of our modern culture. So when I popped it in, I was expecting something so marvelous, so witty, wonderful, hysterical beyond belief – and was sadly disappointed at every turn. I can’t for the life of me understand why this thing got the following it did. Essentially, it’s a satire on the effect Elvis’s drafting into the Army had on the nation. Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson) has been drafted, … Continue reading →

West Side Story (1961)

“West Side Story” is one of the most acclaimed plays and films ever made. A musical, it’s not all about sweetness and light – in fact, it’s the most gritty musical I’ve ever seen, a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Our plot revolves around two street gangs in New York City – the anglo Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Tony (Richard Beymer) is the former leader of the Jets, but he has turned from his gang life and is trying to go clean. Riff (Russ Tamblyn) has taken over the leadership role, but he admits that he’s … Continue reading →

Just Around the Corner (1938)

Shirley Temple plays a bright, precocious, optimistic little girl with just one parent in “Just Around the Corner.” I do realize I’ve just described every Shirley Temple ever made, but hey, when you’ve got a winning formula, why change it? This time around, the storyline is set during the Depression. Penny’s (Temple) father, Jeff Hale, was an architect, but when stocks fell, he lost his job. He now works as the handyman at the posh apartment building where he used to rent the penthouse suite. Penny has had to come home from her ritzy girls’ school, and she “takes care” … Continue reading →

Flying Down to Rio (1933)

Generally speaking, when one hears the word “wow,” one immediately thinks that the speaker is referring to something marvelous and wonderful. However, the word “wow” also can refer to something really bad. I regret to inform you that this “wow” I’m about to offer is of the latter variety. Wow. I rented “Flying Down to Rio” because it is the first movie Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers ever made together. Their star quality shines through the minute they appear on the screen – they’re the only actors in this film with any personality whatsoever. The problem is, theirs is a … Continue reading →

Fancy Pants (1950)

Bob Hope and Lucille Ball are two of the biggest stars ever to come down the pike. With faces recognized the world over, they each remain untouched as far as popularity. That said, “Fancy Pants,” although it starred both of them, pretty much stunk. Lucille Ball stars as Aggie Floud, an American girl from a small town called Big Squaw. Her family has recently come in to money, and she and her mother are touring Europe. When an English lord decides to court Aggie, he realizes her devotion to family, but he has none. He heads down to his favorite … Continue reading →