| Funny, I thought Millie made a great case for Channing doing Dolly. In a film where everyone is playing some kind of affected camp, Carol seems to be the only real character in the bunch. Strange, eccentric, unique, but a real person nonetheless who just happens to have all those qualities. I also think she looks terrific here. Unlike many larger-than-life Broadway stars, I thought Carol often came across exceedingly well on camera, including many of her TV appearances -- warm, funny, and charming. Yes, sometimes a tad too much for camera, but this is a challenge for any extreme personality in closeup and one that calls for a good director to navigate. I think the greater tragedy was that she didn't get to recreate Lorelei Lee. I know Monroe's "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" is iconic but for me she takes one of the wittiest comedy numbers ever written and lands nary a single laugh. Channing's take was hysterical. |
