Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/11/2003 07:47 AM PST

Lara's Theme from Dr. Zhivago, Around the World in 80 Days, Godfather Theme, Laura, Theme from Moulin Rouge.

Posted by steveg @ 08/11/2003 07:53 AM PST

Ahhhh... Technicolor! One of my very favorite subjects!

Does anyone know if the new print of THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (to be shown at the Film Forum in NYC later this month) is an IB print?

FILM FORUM has shown a number of eye-popping Technicolor goodies in recent years. My favorite was GOOD MORNING, EVE! A 1934 pre-code, three-strip masterpiece - a zippy, saucy musical two-reeler with Leon Errol that had color to rival OZ. A scene in Ancient Rome with peroxided chorus girls in gold, lavendar and blue, and a sequence with chorus girls with marblized rubber beach balls on the sands of Malibu are seared into my brain.

Then there's TWO-strip Technicolor which is also gorgeous, if very unreal, with tones of turquoise and tangerine predominating. Film Forum showed the two-strip 1930 DeSylva-Brown-Henderson FOLLOW THROUGH a few years back (viva Zelma O'Neill!) and last year showed Jolson's MAMMY (1930) with its color sequences restored. FILM FORUM also showed a few precious color fragments of the mostly lost GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY with the divine Winnie Lightner.

Recently, I have heard that some two-strip color footage of Marilyn Miller in SUNNY has been discovered.

Posted by MasterLcZ @ 08/11/2003 07:56 AM PST

Good Morning All! I just thought I would let everyone know that I will be leaving my mark in this little town of Burlington before I move on to Carson City. I will be shooting a commercial for the furniture store that I work part time for. My husband will also be in it. Isn't that just too too? It should be quite amusing, as the owner of the store is quite the goofy guy :)

Posted by JB aka JK @ 08/11/2003 08:58 AM PST

My daughter the director!
Congrats!

Now, where in tarnation IS
everyone? This is downright
strange or, at the very least,
upleft strange, this lack of early
posts on this fine Monday in
August. Don't let our
Unseemly Live Chat stop you
from posting, and feel free to
do other topics if this one isn't
up your street.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 09:35 AM PST

Interestingly, a lot of the songs without words that have been mentioned are themes from movies. Here's my contribution: the theme from A Summer Place.

Not sure exactly why, but I've always liked "Classical Gas," too.

Posted by Jay @ 08/11/2003 09:49 AM PST

Love Classical Gas, a perfect
choice. Also, Sing, Sing, Sing.
I'm thinkin' we might get to ten
posts today.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 09:52 AM PST

Oh, I forgot to mention - I got a
funny e-mail from a fellow who
wanted to know if Nudie
Musical was available in
Karaoke form, because he
wanted to do a couple of
numbers at his local bar. That
got me thinking...

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 09:56 AM PST

I knew it. It was bound to happen. By my count, in the course of the past week, there have been 1,252 posts to HHW. After all that, the DRs are all posted out. Our li'l fingers are cramped into mangled claws, our eyes glazed over...

Here's an interesting item: Ken Mandelbaum reports today that John Stamos may be taking over for Antonio Banderas as Guido in the current revival of NINE. With Rebecca Luker assuming the role of Claudia, what are everyone's impressions of the "new" NINE?

Posted by Dave @ 08/11/2003 10:04 AM PST

Let the drama begin! I just spoke with Don via Instant Message and apparently members of our cast, including Condom Girl, have started arriving in the Poconos. And apparently they have already started stirring things up in regard to cabin assignments and rooming situations. Boy! I can't WAIT to get back to all of that. Perhaps I will just have to keep my distance from all of them for the next three weeks, with the exception of Don and Diggle and Ashley and Liz and Brian (you've not heard of the last three, but they're swell folks, as well.) Its gonna be tough, since its a teeny town and we're all living in the same compound (I think compound is a very a propos way to describe it, because it is rather like a cult-ish atmosphere), but I'll give it my best effort. Pray for us.

Posted by Jason @ 08/11/2003 10:05 AM PST

I'll just mention a couple of instrumental pieces that I have been listening to lately, which I doubt anyone else will mention. From Eric Johnson's Ah, Via Musicom album, "Cliffs of Dover" and "Trademark". Eric is a phenomenal guitarist, and seems able to play in any style.

Posted by Dave @ 08/11/2003 10:09 AM PST

Jason,

Don't drink the Kool-aid. ;-)

Posted by Dave @ 08/11/2003 10:10 AM PST

A few more:

Theme from Gone with the Wind

"Spanish Flea"

Errol Garner's rendition of "Misty"

"The Syncopated Clock"

Theme from Jeopardy

Posted by Jay @ 08/11/2003 10:14 AM PST

I'll vote for the theme from THE LONG HOT SUMMER ("The long hot summer/ Seems to know every time you're near")...one of the great nonsensical lyrics of all time. But oh so smoldering. And what an opening shot that movie has. Of course, I'm a sucker for films about Paul Newman "awakening" repressed virginal old maids. ...And now I have to get back to work.

Posted by Panni @ 08/11/2003 10:15 AM PST

Cast another vote here for "Classical Gas," and thank-you, DR Jay, for reminding me of the piece. I've always had a soft spot for Mason Williams, an eclectic and admirable goofus of spot-on artistic skill. I recall that he did five albums for Warner Bros. Records, all of which were filled with the unexpected. There was another piece he wrote called "Sunflower," which was supposed to be the soundtrack for a short film. The idea was that in the early morning a small plane would take off, and sky-write a stem and leaves in the sky. The sun would rise, and become the blossom at the top of the stem, a literal "sun flower". Neat, huh? And this was ages before anyone had the notion for music videos, even before Michael Nesmith "invented" the form.

Another instrumental piece that has long been with me is Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells." Yes, some of it was used as the score for The Exorcist, but the piece was written separately. Oldfield still writes some spectacular stuff, both with lyrics and without. Well, to be honest, his lyric material isn't all that spectacular, but I do recommend his albums "Islands" (for the instrumental "The Wind Chimes"), "Voyager" (a blend of traditional Celtic music and original material by Oldfield that even my father enjoys), and "Tubular Bells 2", where he revisisted the original piece and turned everything inside-out and upside-down to great effect.

I understand that Oldfield has gone back over the original TB and cleaned up some of the misplayed notes that have bothered him for years. I hope he hasn't ruined the piece.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/11/2003 10:16 AM PST

Dear Reader Jason:

If Ida Lupino shows up as the "compound" matron, be afraid. Very afraid.

Posted by Jay @ 08/11/2003 10:16 AM PST

The Mason Williams albums
are on CD and everyone
should have them, especially
the first one. Sunflower is a
stunning piece of music and if
you listen to the final cue of the
film of Sweet Charity, you'll
hear quite a good imitation of
it.

Over 1,000 posts last week -
that is something. We wuz
smoldering! Now, let's not
stop because we are
bleary-eyed, let us blear on, do
you hear me, let us blear on.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 10:20 AM PST

The fabulous der Brucer, who was looking over my shoulder as I wrote my previous post, of course chimed in with his own favorite instrumental right as I clicked on "post".

Does anyone out there remember Martin Denny, particularly "Quiet Village"?

He also reminds us of "almost anything by Ferrante and Teicher." This, of course, resulted in a delay in posting, because neither of us could remember and had to look up how to spell Teicher.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/11/2003 10:23 AM PST

Hmmm...how about Billy Joel's "Lullaby", from his album "River of Dreams", written for his daughter Alexa? BJ claims it began as an instrumental excercise.

Another is the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" - the Beatles Anthology collection proivdes the strings only arrangement written by George Martin, their long-time producer.

And in the spirit of summer, can we forget "Wipe Out" (if one considers a droning drum solo as an instrumental).

Posted by Phil @ 08/11/2003 10:29 AM PST

Hmmm....I love instrumentals! Some of the favorites that pop into my mind is the theme from A SUMMER PLACE, and the theme from LAURA. Also Hugh Masakela's GRAZING IN THE GRASS, and I'll third the Mason Williams' song CLASSICAL GAS. The HAPPY ORGAN is another favorite (and I can't think of who does that one, although I have his CD at home).

Posted by MBarnum @ 08/11/2003 10:49 AM PST

I'm waiting for the DVD so I didn't watch the PBS Tony Highlight show that was telecast last night in NYC and will be on at various times over the next few weeks in most of the rest of the country but I did read some of the comments about the disappointment at Jennifer Holliday's DREAMGIRLS section being omitted. From what I read, this number is in the PBS version and not one of the added numbers for the DVD. If it was missing last night it was cut by Channel 13 to allow more time for begging. It should be in the version seen in other cities.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/11/2003 10:57 AM PST

Just finished listening to the Radio Show. Mr. Feltham, you should be on Sirius and/or XM Radio! Great show, thanks for all your work in putting it together. Those who haven't listened should hie (or low) themselves over to the show and hear it. Some great gems in there.

Ahh, Mr. Aker Bilk and Stranger on the Shore. Haven't thought of that piece for eons (or even f ons). I remember it being an opening for a local television show as a child. Don't remember much more than that. I also loved the Overture to Candide as used by Mr. Dick Cavett on his talk show, and, as so many other have mentioned, Classical Gas. I remember Mr. Mason Williams from the Smothers Comedy Brothers Hour (sic) and those wonderful instrumental solos.

Posted by Ben @ 08/11/2003 11:12 AM PST

Hi all...

I have to say hello and run - the organization I work for is having a press conference today on a shooting that took place three weeks ago. Don't ask me why they are choosing to do it NOW three weeks after the fact (and when the impact would have been greatest) but whatever... I'm just an assistant.

If any DRs can look at CBC Newsworld (the conf. should start around 3:30 pm) for the briefing you might be able to see me in the background. I'll be the youngest woman with short hair in a black skirt and white top. Of course, there's NOT a chance in heck we're going to make breaking news but I can hope (hence why I'm not getting all in a kerfluffle about this one).

:)

I'll see y'all in chat ce soir!

Posted by Emily @ 08/11/2003 11:29 AM PST

"Kerfluffle." I shall file that next to "hecky durn" and "floop" in the book I am creating. It will be called Vocabulary I Learned on haineshisway.com.

Posted by Jay @ 08/11/2003 11:35 AM PST

Hmmm, well MBarnum, now that I think about it, I guess The Happy Organ would have to be a fan favorite .......... but I digress.

Actually I will have to go with Theme from The Apartment, again by F & T or The Main Theme from Ben-Hur.

Posted by TCB @ 08/11/2003 12:03 PM PST

Where is my reading material?
I need more reading material.
A difficult day here at work, and
I'm of the opinion it's only
going to get worse.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 12:04 PM PST

Many DRs have already named wonderful pieces of music that I agree with wholeheartedly. Yes, SWW, I am familiar with Martin Denny and, in particular, Quiet Village. Love that stuff. Also various Polynesian/tiki tunes and hey...a shout out to all the Korla Pandit fans here!

Can't hear Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass without thinking of my little brother (who, as a toddler, insisted we listen to our Herb Alpert 8-track on all road trips). And of course, anything Lyn Larson ever recorded is simply faboo. ;)

Posted by Lulu @ 08/11/2003 12:16 PM PST

Oh, yes, Lulu, thanks for reminding me. We now own a CD of the glorious song stylings of Mr. Lyn Larson tickling the ivories on the organ at the Buffalo Theatre. Everything from Annie Get Your Gun to Oliver! What a musical treat.

Posted by Ben @ 08/11/2003 12:22 PM PST

I think my favorite instrumental theme is John Barry's title theme from Somewhere In Time.

Many years later lyrics were added to the music like some many memorable theme instrumentals (Lara's Theme, Theme From Love Story, Love Theme and The Godfather Waltz from The Godfather, Around the World In 80 Days, Out of Africa, Laura and others)

Mr. Kevin Koelbl sings a gorgeous version of Somewhere in Time on his album from the LML label called Somewhere in Time. To listen to a 45 second excerpt from the song click on the link http://www.lmlmusic.com/artists/koe_recordings.htm

I never grow tired of listening to this song.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/11/2003 12:29 PM PST

My newest favorite instrumental
music has been "The Fantasticks In
Jazz" - I realize this doesn't count,
but I love it love it love it. I've always
had a soft spot for the "Hooked on
Classics" thing of the 80's, I think that
sort of counts. As for the new "Nine",
I haven't heard John Stamos sing
before, so I can't comment. As for
Rebecca Luker, her "Lily" is
fantasticl and her Maria was less
than fantastic, same with her Marion.
So we'll have to see.

Posted by Matthew @ 08/11/2003 12:29 PM PST

Where is everybody? I hope the (to use BK's term) "cheerleading" I did yesterday to get the number of posts up didn't tire everyone out and is keeping them from posting today.

A question to those who saw WICKED in San Francisco: Were Robert Morse, Kirk McDonald and John Horton really so out of step with the rest of the cast that they needed to be replaced or do you think that was done because the powers that be had to make changes and instead of working on the various problems pointed out both on this here site and in the various media figured this was a starting place to make changes? I have already heard the show refered to as "a troubled production". Do you think these problems can be solved and is the replacement of these actors a step in the right direction?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/11/2003 12:33 PM PST

Dave: I won't drink the Kool-Aid, nor will I eat any brownies that they make bake while we're there.

Here's a new wrinkle for the DR's brains...Mr. Mason Williams actually attended Oklahoma City University, alma mater to both Kristin Chenoweth and my very own self. I very much enjoy "Classical Gas" and may just have to give it a listen in just a moment.

And now I must pack.

Posted by Jason @ 08/11/2003 12:35 PM PST

re: Robert Morse... yeah, he was a
bit out of it when I saw "Wicked".
However, I think it was on
broadway.com, he stated he didn't
want to be separated from his family
so he bowed out of his contract.
Maybe someone showed him a
video if his performance?

Posted by Matthew @ 08/11/2003 12:37 PM PST

re: Robert Morse... yeah, he was a
bit out of it when I saw "Wicked".
However, I think it was on
broadway.com, he stated he didn't
want to be separated from his family
so he bowed out of his contract.
Maybe someone showed him a
video if his performance?

Posted by Matthew @ 08/11/2003 12:38 PM PST

re: Robert Morse... yeah, he was a
bit out of it when I saw "Wicked".
However, I think it was on
broadway.com, he stated he didn't
want to be separated from his family
so he bowed out of his contract.
Maybe someone showed him a
video if his performance?

Posted by Matthew @ 08/11/2003 12:38 PM PST

Someone asked about John Stamos. I saw him in the HOW TO SUCCEED revisal during Matthew Broderick's long leave of absence. Stamos may not have been memorable but he was certainly better than your average soap/sitcom-star-on-Broadway. His singing was fine. However I think Finch was a much better role for him than Guido. Isn't he a little young?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/11/2003 12:40 PM PST

WEL: Not to speak for those who may have seen the show, but, its an out of town tryout. Changes are what its all about. I haven't heard so many negative things about the show. I haven't heard that many glowing reviews, either, but I think its far too early to be cynical about it. They're doing what they went out there to do...to tweak and work...so I say let's let them tweak and work and then we can worry about how the show is once its open in New York.

Posted by Jason @ 08/11/2003 12:40 PM PST

re: Robert Morse... yeah, he was a
bit out of it when I saw "Wicked".
However, I think it was on
broadway.com, he stated he didn't
want to be separated from his family
so he bowed out of his contract.
Maybe someone showed him a
video if his performance?

Posted by Matthew @ 08/11/2003 12:41 PM PST

Matthew, you really feel
STRONGLY about this :-)

Maybe dear reader Ron, who
loved Wicked, can give us his
perception, if he's feeling
better, which we hope he is.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 12:52 PM PST

Ooops.... so sorry DR's. Damn
iBook. If anyone saw Mickey
Rooney in the last Wizard of Oz tour
6 years ago, they'll know what I'm
talking about when I say that Robert
Morse's performance in "Wicked"
was equal to Mickey's in "The
Wizard of Oz" . They even played
the same charactor. Now, I promise
to post this once!

Posted by Matthew @ 08/11/2003 01:03 PM PST

I think BROADWAY'S LOST TREASURES was a complete piece packaged as a special with PBS' own co-hosts asking for donations and interview segments between acts. There was a 1-888 number on the screen and the web address for the local pbs station, but if Jennifer's electric number was cut (and that DREAMGIRLS segment is more than just her singing that song; it's a big chunk of the end of the first act), it was done by the producers of the special and PBS, not by local stations.

Someone above mentioned "The Syncopated Clock." I loved all of Leroy Anderson's light symphonic pieces. I had to learn a number of them when I took piano and played even more of them in the school band. My favorite has always been "Belle of the Ball."

Posted by Matt H. @ 08/11/2003 01:31 PM PST

Since this topic is indeed not up my street, I shall just babble on about some other topic that I pull out of my brain.

DR's, listen up. There is a man by the name of Matthew Ganong. He will be famous someday. I promise you, you will pay good money to go see this man play the piano. He was the accompianist at the camp I went to, and I haven't thought about him until just today. He plays the piano beautifully, amazingly, stunningly, every other -ly word you can think of (besides ugly). Yes, yes, he shall be famous, and I will hunt every one of you down and have you buy his CD, whenever it gets done. He is so talented that, in one point in a song we were singing, the director cut us off, whipped around, and said "Matthew, the sequence in that last measure, which Mozart symphony is that from?" and Matt began playing it without even thinking. Brilliant...

I made a cake today, and when I took it out of it's pan and put it on a platter thing, it fell into 4 pieces. So I glued it together with frosting. Then it halfway caved in. So I filled the cave-in with frosting. Then I frosted it. Needless to say, that was one frosty cake.

I earned a total of $455 this past week. I'm going to go spend it all on clothes and shoes and CD's and lots of other things that make life happy.

Posted by Sarah @ 08/11/2003 01:52 PM PST

Jason - All I was asking was for some opinions from people who saw it. Every review I saw and every comment I read here said the problem was in the writing, not in the casting and I was wondering if the cast changes had anything to do with the problem. I'm not being cynical about it. I'm looking forward to seeing it, but nothing I have read anywhere even indicated that the three fired actors had anything to do with the work that was needed on the show.

Regarding the PBS Tony show, the review I read was from someone who saw a PBS review copy and the DREAMGIRLS segment was definitely there. This would not have been the first time Channel 13 cut something to fit in more begging, nor will it be the last. When this begins to air in other cities I would appreciate if someone would post as to if DREAMGIRLS is included or not.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/11/2003 01:54 PM PST

Don't forget to spend some on
Benjamin Kritzer. I feel you
should name your cake
Sarah's Swishy Cake.

Now, where in tarnation IS
everyone? I'm thinkin' we
might get to fifty posts today.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 01:56 PM PST

There was a statement made
by the producer of the Tony
show and he said at the last
minute negotiations to clear
Dreamgirls, A Chorus Line,
Man of La Mancha fell apart
because those rights-holders
didn't want to go along with the
"favored nations" rate for clips.

The sequences were pulled
and the feed from PBS deleted
them. However, certain local
stations got advance feeds
and the numbers were there.
Also, reviewers who got
advance tapes from PBS have
it complete. They are still
trying to get these rights
holders to see the light, but
those numbers will not be on
the DVD or VHS of THIS show.
Perhaps on a subsequent
volume is what he's saying.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 02:00 PM PST

WEL:
From what I read on the ATC web site, the numbers that were cut (Dreamgirls and Man of La Mancha) were cut because of rights problems (i.e., not getting them) and that they will not be on the DVD either when it is released in October. This is a major disappointment!

Posted by steveg @ 08/11/2003 02:01 PM PST

WEL, I think that it is seldom just one thing that needs fixing, in order to make a show work. While I am sure there is some re-writing going on, the producers are going to do whatever it takes to polish the jewel before it goes to Broadway.

I wouldn't automatically assume that the original performers were "fired", either. There are any number of reasons why performers don't stay with a show. They may have other contractual obligations/offers, personal conflict with the creative/performing staff, etc. It may simply be that they wish to remain on the West Coast, rather than uproot their lives to go to Broadway on such a risky venture.

Or maybe Joel Grey was the original choice all along, and was previously unavailable.

As Jason rightly points out, all will be revealed in a few short months, when WICKED will (hopefully) bow on Broadway.

Posted by Dave @ 08/11/2003 02:06 PM PST

The "official" line on Mr. Morse
is that he ultimately didn't want
to be away from his family for
so long.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 02:14 PM PST

Terry's theme from "Limelight" would be my favourite though I guess the vocal version by the Divine Sarah V would be well known.
I have always been quite fond of "Take Five" by Carmen MacRae and the Andy Williams version of "Stranger On the Shore". The instrumental versions though are wonderful.There are some cute versions of "Never On Sunday" by The Chordettes & Eydie Gorme, and Connie Francis did an interesting version of the theme fom "Zorba The Greek". "A Summer Place" has always been a favourite but the vocal versions (Anita Bryant and The Lettermen) are not that memorable. Another favourite instrumental of the early 60's was "Tracey's Theme" from "The Philadelphia Story".

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/11/2003 02:47 PM PST

For those who need to know "Love Is Blue" was written as a song with vocal for Miss Vicki Leandros to sing at the Eurovision Song Festival - she was representing either Luxumburg or Switzerland that year. Mauriat tried to repeat the success with the next year's winner of the festival "Through The Eyes Of A Child" the winning song by Frida Baccara - a beautiful song that should be more widely known.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/11/2003 02:52 PM PST

Ben, I would love to be on Serius or XM radio.....maybe we need to start a campaign and inundate them with letters/emails encouraging them to purchase my show for satellite

as for Wicked....I had dinner with someone linked to the show and I knew about Mr Morse being replaced by Mr Grey at that time (also under consideration was Jim Dale).....having seen Wicked, Mr Morse was all wrong for the role and especially so since major rewrites have been happening....as for the otheer two cast members, I thought they were fine and would much rather see Mr Butz replaced as he was also badly miscast (in any case, there may be more cast changes coming)....the impression I had from the dinner conversation was that everyone is getting along just fine and they are a happy, nice creative team, which is ultimately the biggest problem -- they are all TOO NICE and no one is willing to put their foot down and demand the changes that need to be made....for my part, I gave my input as to the book problems and it was received enthusiastically.....there's a pretty good show lurking there, someone just needs to be gutsy and forceful enough to make it surface

Posted by Donald Feltham @ 08/11/2003 03:04 PM PST

An idea to share: Much earlier today - anyone notice it's been a LONG day? - I mentioned the wonderfully sexy opening shot of A LONG, HOT SUMMER (the barn bursting into flame)... So how's about this for topic of the day one day: Great opening shots or credit sequences. Like Mr. Orson Welles' magnificent three minute tracking shot in A TOUCH OF EVIL. ...Unless you've already used this topic of the day. I'm new to these here parts. (And please don't ask me why I'm suddenly speaking like a cowboy. I think I'm channeling Tom Mix.)

Posted by Panni @ 08/11/2003 03:13 PM PST

Hello all --- A few of my favorite instrumental pieces would include "Theme from The Apartment" by F.&T., Somewhere in Time (and tons of other John Barry), the main title theme to Ship Of Fools by Ernest Gold, most of what LeRoy Anderson wrote. There is so much more, but that is just a soupcon.

DR Ben & DR Lulu -- Thank you so much for your kind words about my own instrumental offerings.

DR TCB -- "The Happy Organ" was played by Dave "Baby" Cortez.

Finally, it is INCREDIBLY hot here in Phx these past few days! We need one of those nice, intense NYC afternoon showers.

Let's all hold lots of good and positive thoughts for our very own Jason as he goes back out to face the wilds of summer stock in Pennsylvania. Our thoughts will stay with you!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/11/2003 03:27 PM PST

MusicGuy, my thermometer said 110 in the shade (oh, a ___ reference) so I put it out in the sun. Within five minutes it topped the scale that only goes up to 125F -- so I have no idea how hot it is out in the sun.

Posted by Laura @ 08/11/2003 03:36 PM PST

I am feeling better -- not 100 percent, but well enough to go to work today. Thanks for asking, BK.

I saw two performances of "Wicked", and I was enchanted both times. I remain very high on all three departed actors, although I believe if any of them was given the old "heave-ho" it is more than likely it was Morse.

The role of Boq is a small one, but has crucial overtones throughout the play and Kirk McDonald was very, very good in it. It did not require singing or dancing (both of which I believe he does) -- he just needed to look like a "very tall" Munchkin and he needed to be able to deliver with conviction some very critical lines. I felt he did this quite well here at the Curran. I understand he is moving into another role in another production and that sounds like it might be a better gig for him.
Boq is a role with visibility and a highly emotional shock-of-recognition moment, but it doesn't hold a lot of challenge for an actor.

I haven't seen any reason why John Horton should leave. His Dr. Dillamond made a very strong impression here. He was the only actor portraying an animal in the cast -- in fact, the only "talking" animal in Oz, which was part of the ongoing intrigue and tragedy that led to many misunderstandings and lies. His scenes were very strong and memorable. I'm hoping it was an amicable departure.

As for the Wizard, Morse has gone on record as saying it was a dream come true. And I have to wonder how "young" a family he could have that they couldn't be more supportive of him doing a Broadway show. It's not like he's got a lot of options that won't keep him away from home anyway.

I've felt the Wizard's role was underdeveloped. For a "star" of his stature, it seemed Morse was given a puff part to portray. In the first performance, his song "Wonderful" went on and on and on and on and needed trimming. In the second performance, I thought it was perfect (and it had been trimmed) but I then felt that Elphaba needed to be drawn INTO the song before she was...she needed to be captivated by the rhythm of the piece and to do some of the hokey moves with the Wizard. And it would have been very true to her character if you know the "genesis" of her character. That said, you never really felt that the Wizard was evil, even though evidence said otherwise. As a result, you didn't feel too badly for him at the end when he wasn't let in on the huge secret and was left a seemingly broken man doomed to exile from Oz.

Now, the question is whether this was blamed on Morse or whether it's just the way the part was written. I will say, though, that Grey might bring a touch of the sinister to the Wizard that Morse did not...and Grey can do this with a look and with his body language. That alone may make a HUGE difference in how his character comes across in the final product.

I don't know whether you can believe what "they" say about departures and stuff when a play is undergoing fixing the way "Wicked" is. I didn't think the cast was in rehearsals until September. I know that the troop that left here at the end of June was a very happy, upbeat and determined one -- ready to fix things and take Broadway by storm.

Certainly the majority of folks who saw it here -- the ones who thrilled along with me and gave each performance a standing O -- have every belief that the show will be huge on Broadway.

It wasn't really a "tryout" here...we had the world premiere in June after weeks of previews. No show has ever done what "Wicked" is doing in prepping for a Broadway opening. Whatever happens, I PRAY for a cast recording.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/11/2003 03:44 PM PST

In my best Gene Rayburn impression: "It was soo hot, Laura put a blank in her reference..."

Charles Nelson Reilly answers, "Jones and Schmidt".

Mornin', File.

Mornin', Toby...

Posted by Dave @ 08/11/2003 03:45 PM PST

Ya know, the theme from The Match Game wasn't too bad an instrumental song, either. I want to say it had a life with a different title. (The song did, not the game show. Something about "that happy life" or something like that.)

Posted by Jay @ 08/11/2003 03:49 PM PST

Well...when you come late to the ball, all the good ones are taken. So I can only second a few of the choices:

A Summer Place - my favorite vocal version is by Ms. Joanie Sommers

Stranger On the Shore - Acker Bilk....mentioned by Mr BK

Lonely Girl - the title song on the HARLOW soundtrack album...Neal Hefti's composition

Love Is Blue & Moonglow - both so romantic in different ways.

And two Academy Award winning songs - whether played by F/T or 100 Strings or even Liberace:

Love is a Many Splendored Thing and Three Coins in the Fountain.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/11/2003 03:57 PM PST

Stephen Schwartz is a smart
fellow and I'm sure the creative
team is doing good work. The
trick always is to sift through
all the comments they may be
getting to find the gold and the
things that will help guide
them to doing the fixes they
need to do. So it is written, so
it shall be done.

Chat in a mere two hours. Be
there or be round.

I'm thinkin' we might get to
sixty posts. Then we'll only
have forty to go.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 04:06 PM PST

Hey bk: Hows work?

Posted by Sarah @ 08/11/2003 04:15 PM PST

I'm thinkin' you're correct.

But reachin' a 100 tonight of all nights?

Who can say?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/11/2003 04:15 PM PST

I did not see "Harlow" but know the vocal version of the song from Bobby Vinton. My collections of lost movie themes and songs includes a song by Glen Cambell which has long been a favourite - theme from "The Grasshopper".
Other favourite "Wordless" songs that have come to mind since my last post:
"The Third Man" theme
"Blue Star" (theme from "Medic")

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/11/2003 04:41 PM PST

Anyone remember the lush Lionel Newman music written for the TV series "Adventures in Paradise"?

THAT was a memorable melody!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/11/2003 04:48 PM PST

Who could forget Adventures In Paradise. Was it the "Tiki"?. Theme is available on one of those TV themes CDs. The Jerry Byrd version of the theme on Monument records is great.

(I have them both Ron. Just ask.I also now have that "Kismet" Cd from Rhino - thanks to a DR.) Glad to know you are feeling better. My thoughts are with you on the CD of "Wicked". I am the show will be there to entice me to Broadway in about 15 months time).

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/11/2003 05:13 PM PST

Chat in a mere forty count
them forty minutes. Be there
or be round. I'm thinkin' we
might make seventy posts,
which ain't hay but ain't 100
posts either. I think we need
hay and 100 posts, not
necessarily in that order.

Posted by bk @ 08/11/2003 05:20 PM PST

ADVENTURES IN PARADISE! I loved the music and the show. Only I never saw it - just heard it - which made the music even better. I wasn't allowed to stay up to watch the show. My mother, who was lax about most other things (you'd never believe me!) was very strict about TV watching at night. So what I would do would be to sneak outside my mother and stepfather's bedroom door, get comfortable on the floor and LISTEN to the shows I liked. To this day I've never seen ADVENTURES IN P. But it lives on in my mind in glorious color. I also listened to the Academy Awards the year Charlton Heston won for BEN HUR. I was a big Chuck fan. (Hey, I didn't know he'd grow up a join the NRA...) That's the night I got caught outside the door because when he won I stood up and cheered.
BTW - being new and all, I have a question - how long does the Live Chat last? From 6 to when?

Posted by Panni @ 08/11/2003 05:30 PM PST

From 6 until whenever it ends. I hope you can make it! :-)

Posted by Jason @ 08/11/2003 05:35 PM PST

Thanks, Dave. I knew someone would fill in the blank for me.

Posted by Laura @ 08/11/2003 05:46 PM PST

Thanks, Jason. I'll try and make it. Formal?

Posted by Panni @ 08/11/2003 05:50 PM PST

Richie Cole (jazz saxophonist) recorded "The I Love Lucy Theme" and a piece called "Tokyo Rose Sings the Hollywood Blues" on his Hollywood Madness CD. I've always liked the Lucy theme and he goes to town on that, but I just love "Tokyo Rose". It begs to be sung. I don't know if it's an original instrumental piece or just an instrumental version of a song. Does anyone know? Has anyone else heard of this? The Manhattan Transfer also recorded a few songs with Richie on this recording. It was the very first recording with TMT that Cheryl Bentyne sang on.

Posted by George @ 08/11/2003 06:00 PM PST

Dear DR Jay: I remember the original Match Game theme from the 60s. It was originally recorded by Bert Kaempfert as "A Swingin' Safari." Somehow, I think "The Match Game Theme" is a lot easier to remember.

AND, while I'm at it, DR WEL, according to IMDB Stamos will be 40 on the 19th, just three years younger than Banderas. I think 40 is old enough to plausably play Guido, just as 32 was old enough at the time to play Finch. The proof will be in the actual acting, of course. Thanks, by the way, for keeping us up to date on the NYC scene.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/11/2003 06:16 PM PST

I'm a Mancini kind of guy, with his "March" from THE GREAT RACE rating high on my scale of instrumental favorites.
"Baby Elephant Walk" from HATARI!
"Theme from PETER GUNN"
"King's Can-Can" and "Cat and Mouse" from VICTOR/VICTORIA.
"THE PINK PANTHER theme"

I'd also add the "Theme from MOULIN ROUGE," but I know the words all too well. . .

"A Summer Place"

"Hawaii-5-0"

"The Good, The Bad and The Ugly"

Randy Newman's RAGTIME themes

Howard Shore's scores for THE LORD OF THE RINGS films

. . .but now we're getting far too deep into film scores rather than instrumental "songs."

Ah, well.

Posted by td @ 08/11/2003 06:30 PM PST

The joint is jumping tonite, folks.

Don't hesitate to visit Chat if you're reading this...folks are still carrying on...and I DO MEAN CARRYING ON!

R

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/11/2003 06:40 PM PST

Hi all!

I just got out of the chat. A good time was definitely had by all... even if I didn't get to gloat about getting on TV.

I'm going to a friend's country place in the Laurentians tomorrow until thursday. Hopefully I'll be able to check in tomorrow morning to ensure we have our requisite 100 posts. If not... have a great next couple of days and I'll talk to all of you in a little bit! :)

Posted by Emily @ 08/11/2003 06:53 PM PST

Dear Reader Tom from Oz:

The theme from The Third Man! Exquisite! Thanks for adding it to the mix!

Posted by Jay @ 08/11/2003 07:00 PM PST

Greetings from New York City! The Big Apple! The City that Never Sleeps! -which seems to be filled with People who Never Sleep! -Maybe that would explain some of the dispositions you come across on the street, subway, Macy's, etc...

First day of CAMELOT auditions went very well. The agents did a nice job and we saw some great people. THe "parade" of potential Lancelots was a nice fringe benefit today. :-) And there was one totally amazing audition - which happened to be totally unexpected in a sense. It was one of those situations where you didn't think the song and the singer would work, but... WOW! I'll post the details once we're done this week - just don't want to break any possible "privacy" issues right now. But I'll just say, that everyone in the room was totally blown away!

As for today's topic... Basically everyone that has been listed already. I'm also very partial to the themes from "Cinema Paradiso" - that piano figuration is almost guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye. And a few years ago, Yo-Yo Ma used it as one of his encores.

Well, I'm getting the semi-evil eye from the lady here at the Internet Cafe - a very cheap one too here in the Village, so I really can't complain... And I do need to get a full night's sleep tonight. -I think I got three hours last night.. and since I can't really sleep on the train...

Well, I'm glad I was able to get my daily fix of HHW today. I look forward to tomorrow.

Goodnight.

*Oh, and I got my dish of gelato from Cones tonight! Half Dark Chocolate, Half Pistachio! YUM!!! And I was unexpectedly treated to a wonderful Korean BBQ dinner by our choreographer too! Tomorrow -Donuts!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 08/11/2003 07:31 PM PST

Sorry I missed the chat tonight. I auditioned for a local production of TITANIC tonight. Ah, that Maury Yeston certainly favors tenors and lyric baritones, not good news for a bass like me. Still, it went OK. Will find out about casting in a few days.

Posted by Matt H. @ 08/11/2003 07:48 PM PST

Favorite instrumentals from a Dear Lurker: Never On Sunday by the great arranager/conductor Don Costa, the theme from The Magnificent Seven, and, from the 50s, I think, Telestar. I have no idea who recorded it, but it plays in my head forever!

Posted by Gunther @ 08/11/2003 08:13 PM PST

Welcome, Gunther. May you be a lurker no more but a regular Dear Reader!

Posted by Jay @ 08/11/2003 08:24 PM PST

Well, I was able to catch the last hour or so of tonight's chat and what a swell party it was.

The anime convention (if anyone is interested) was a lot of fun. It was held at this huge convention center in Baltimore, and there were about 20,000 to 25,000 people present, most of whom sported incredible costumes and blue, pink and purple wigs. There were a million anime-related things to do at any one time. The whole thing was dizzying, oversized and slightly surreal.

I don't know much about wordless music, but I love the Match Game theme too. It's so catchy!

Not thrilled about Stamos going into Nine. From what I have seen of his work, John Stamos is gorgeous but does not have the range to play a role as challenging as Guido. And while Rebecca Luker has a beautiful voice, I think she may be a little too old for Claudia. But better her than Rebecca Romijn-Stamos I suppose!

Posted by Maya @ 08/11/2003 09:09 PM PST

Theme from "A Summer Place"
Theme from "Picnic" (with Moonglow)
"Our Winter Love"
"Spencer Ross's "Tracy's Theme"
"Friendly Persuasion"
"Peyton Place"
Theme from "Auntie Mame" (later called "Drifting")

Posted by Kerry @ 08/11/2003 09:21 PM PST

Oh--- one more:

"Girl Talk"

Posted by Kerry @ 08/11/2003 09:25 PM PST

DR ex Lurker Gunther: Telstar is by the Tornados.(Studio group to start with formed by English producer Joe Meek). There was a vocal version called "Magic Star" by Margie Singleton. A hit is was not! I am sure you needed to know all that. And furthermore (a Ray Stevens reference), Welcome.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/11/2003 09:33 PM PST

Welcome to HHW, Gunther!

Posted by Laura @ 08/11/2003 09:47 PM PST

Sorry for having forgotten to welcome you, Gunther!

Posted by Maya @ 08/11/2003 09:56 PM PST

Sleepwalk by, I believe, Santo & Johnny.

Posted by Charles Pogue @ 08/11/2003 10:12 PM PST

Indeed the Farina Brothers - Santo & Johnny.
They had a major hit in OZ with their version of the theme from "Come September". Now there is another favourite of mine.I like the Bobby Darin (orchestra!) version as well.
Well at least someone is trying to keep up the number of posts even if it is with trivia.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/11/2003 11:44 PM PST

Welcome Gunther.

And I forgot about my best find on EBAY....some great friends. As DR MBarnum mentioned, we connected via Ebay and Allison and DR JMK and I connected via Ebay and Frances and he directed me to HHW.

Go, Juliana!

AMC had a "Gay in Hollywood" documentary last night that was interesting.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 03:56 AM PST

Good morning, one and all.

I am particularly fond of the theme from "Somewhere in Time."

Posted by Susan @ 08/12/2003 04:49 AM PST

And welcome, Gunther!

:-)

Posted by Susan @ 08/12/2003 04:50 AM PST

Yes, DR Kerry, GIRL TALK another theme from "Harlow" by Mr Neal Hefti.

I also like the Nelson Riddle score for the Carol Lynley version of "Harlow" released on the Warner Bros label. Lynley's version was later re-released as "Lost Angel" but isn't on video as far as I know.

It is interesting that in the early publicity for Carroll Baker in "Harlow" she was costumed and made up to look like Jean Harlow, but by the time the movie was released in May, 1965, she had turned into a 60's chick with few concessions to the period -or the reality of Harlow's real life.

Carroll Baker's biography is a great read and her account of how this came about is a primer on the movie industry of the time.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 05:26 AM PST

Mr BK - do you know if actor Paul Smith who played Ron Harvey on the Doris Day Show is still active in Hollywood?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 05:29 AM PST

Good Morning everyone! I hate getting up this early, but I have to earn my cash somehow.

Gunther, I used to have a cat with the same name. I liked that cat a lot, so I'm hopin' I'll like you. Welcome!

Chat was quite....lovey dovey last night towards the end. Flattering indeed.

Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 05:56 AM PST

Since many people don't check early morning postings (it's 9:07 in NYC but only 6:07 on the BK coast) I'll save my comments on ANNE AND GILBERT until the Tuesday postings, but we are so close to 100 that I did want to help get to that number. What was going on Monday that the total number of posts were so low? If we could make 200 or 300 for the recent weekdays and even go over 100 on Saturday and Sunday, Monday had a very low number of posts.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/12/2003 06:10 AM PST

Yes it was a lively chat last night, even though I could only stay a moment.

DR Jason tells us that Mr Russell Ochocki from MTI will be visiting the production of MOBY DICK that DR Kurt is rehearsing even as we speak. His comments will be interesting I am sure.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 06:21 AM PST

My brother had an album by the Ventures of "Telstar." I remember hearing him play it all the time, and it was the sort of melody that would stay with you a long time.

I remember seeing the Carol Lynley HARLOW on TV years ago. It was filmed in a method called Electronovision which, I think, was merely videotaping it and then transferring that image to film. Gave a decidedly poor look on film. The movie version of STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF with Tony Tanner was also filmed that way.

After having read biographies of Jean Harlow, I thought those two movie biographies were SINFULLY bad. They really bore no resemblance to the real lady, though as I recall, the Lynley version seemed a tiny bit more true to her character.

Posted by Matt H. @ 08/12/2003 06:32 AM PST

Welcome, Gunther!

Jrand: Do you think if they'd kept Carroll made up a la Harlow it would've made that film better than it was? I dunno...I just don't think Carroll Baker ever had the fire and va-va-voom that Harlow had in spades. Baker had a kittenish quality (seen to best advantage in Baby Doll), but she really wasn't remotely Harlow-like, imo.

Also, in the '60s there was a general derisiveness about the state of filmmaking art of the '20s and '30s, and I think that rears its ugly head in Harlow. As if Joseph E. Levine could hold a candle to Thalberg or Selznick (The Carpetbaggers notwithstanding ;) ).

Posted by Lulu @ 08/12/2003 06:37 AM PST

Well, if it will help us reach 100 posts today, allow me to whine a little. I am operating on way too little sleep today. Yesterday, I was called at 4:00am to work on a problem that our Spanish office had reported. I had it resolved by 5:30am, and went back to bed, but had to get up at 8:00am anyway, to go to work for a 12-hour shift. I came home and found my home PC was acting up, and spent a couple of hours trying to fix it. I gave up at ~1:00am and went to bed. Then I was paged at 5:00am this morning to resolve *another* problem in Spain (that turned out to be nothing more than user incompetence). Now, I'm back in at work for another long day.

I dont' drink coffee, so any suggestions to help me stay awake are much appreciated.

Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 06:54 AM PST

Matt - you are correct, Lynley's version stuck to the "facts" better, although it still fictionalized things quite a bit.

Baker's version had NO concessions to the reality of Jean Harlow's life - only a few real life people were mentioned by name -notably Paul Bern and agent Arthur Landau, who wrote the book the film is supposed to have been based on.

And I agree Lulu, the Baker persona is nowhere near the Harlow persona. And of course in 1965 there wasn't a lot of cable television or video available so the comparison to the original wasn't as easy to make.

Levine is notoriously lampooned in CONTEMPT, and Baker herself is brutally honest about her dealings with him. And he is NO Thalberg that's for sure! He was more of a showman...sort of a William Castle with a lot more money. I think the story goes that when Bill Sargent announced his version of 'Harlow', Levine decided to rush his production to compete...and nobody ended up happy. When Sargent introduced himself to Levine at the Golden Globes, a fist fight broke out...LOL.

Baker says: I didn't write it, or direct it, or design it, but it became and remains "Carroll Baker's 'Harlow.'" She is fond of it and credits some good performances, remembers finishing on some sets before the paint was even dry on the walls, and bemoans the fact that it had started out to be a factual bio film directed by Carol Reed.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 06:54 AM PST

Jrand, I believe that I have seen the "Gay in Hollywood" documentary that you are talking about. It airs on TVO once in a while. It is interesting to see how gay subtext subtly made it's way into films during the Hayes Production Code era.

Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 06:55 AM PST

Yippee...we broke 100 posts. :)

Posted by Lulu @ 08/12/2003 06:58 AM PST

The theme to "Somewhere In Time" is particularly rich.

Posted by OM Time @ 08/12/2003 06:59 AM PST

Different shows, Dave.

This one follows five gay men who are trying to "make it". Not a series, but a one-shot 90 minute documentary.

Director, writer, actor, comic, and "film maker." Their observations and experiences are interesting...it is an AMC original production, so it will show up on that service regularly I am sure. Check your Tv Guide!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 07:00 AM PST

Welcome Gunther!

Jules and Jim's theme is among my favorites. I didn't know the Auntie Mame theme had a title - but I've seen the movie umpteen, and the opening music never fails to bring a smile to my face (even though you can barely read the cast names on the kaleidoscopic credits).

I saw the Baker Harlow only after Leslie Nielsen had made the Naked Gun movies - so that made it a bit odd. Not to discredit Leslie Nielsen. He's doing a great job of boosting Toronto post-SARS. Also, eons ago I was a contestant on a Canadian quiz show called Definition. LN was one of my celebrity partners - and he helped me win a bed. (Canadian quiz shows have never been known for their great prizes.)

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 08/12/2003 07:08 AM PST