You know, from the standpoint of a lay person, the movie "Gypsy" can be a total revelation.
My idea of a "lay person" is someone who was unfamiliar with the Broadway production. In 1962, when the movie was issued, I was stunned, transported and totally mesmerized by the movie "Gypsy." I had also seen, and loved, "The Music Man," which seemed to be on everyone's lips as THE musical of the year and a great success.
I've not understood, in all these years, what kept folks out of the theaters showing "Gypsy," though. After all, it was the life story of the most famous stripper of them all. The problem, I'm guessing, is that the folks who'd find that most appealing (men) also heard it was a musical and stayed away in droves. And because of the subject, they didn't want to take their wives and girlfriends to see it, either.
It had nothing to do with whether they simply couldn't accept a "Gypsy" without Merman. Merman couldn't pull them into theaters, either.
At any rate, the movie has been with me all these years. I got it on VHS in its first availability and then on laserdisc. I've collected all the albums BUT the Daly but the soundtrack is my favorite recording. Not having "seen" Merman in "Gypsy" I don't have any special associations of her in it, but I deeply respect her originating the role of Mama Rose and I love listening to the cast recording.
But it's "Rose's Turn" on the soundtrack that really blows all the whistles and rings all the bells for me. The advantage of the movies is that the singer doesn't have to do all that powerhouse singing in one take. Oh! Yes! I admire Merman and Lansbury's peformances, but I love the one in the soundtrack for having the most oomph!