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| re: Jeff Douglas in BRIGADOON | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 04:03 pm EST 01/02/22 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 03:59 pm EST 01/02/22 | |
| In reply to: Jeff Douglas in BRIGADOON - BroadwayTonyJ 01:22 pm EST 01/02/22 | |
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| As you probably know, but for others who may not, Powell and Keel were filming around that time "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", which was not expected to be as big a pictures as "Brigadoon" at the box office, so it was treated production-wise as an also-ran, and not given as much of a budget. But "Seven Brides" turned out to be a huge hit, playing at Radio City, and "Brigadoon" was not as big as expected. Turning Tommy and Fiona, which were chiefly singing roles, into dancing roles, didn't help for what is already a dance heavy show. Plus Charisse was always dubbed in films, and frankly, Kelly could sing passably (to my ear) in up-tempos, but I find it heavy sledding for his ballads, even just bidding my time, for example, through his singing and knowing he'll start dancing with Debbie Reynolds in "You Were Meant To Me" soon enough. "Pal Joey" which made him a star on stage, is mostly up-tempos, but Kelly just didn't have as good a singing voice as fellow dancers Gene Nelson, Donald O'Connor and Fred Astaire (ok, some folks think Astaire's voice is reedy, but he really puts over a song and inspired great songs to be written). Also, "There But For You Go I" and "From the Day On", especially really call out for a legit voice to make a beautiful impact, as do Tommy's other songs. I just watched "The Young Girls of Rochefort" again yesterday as a New Year's treat, and of course, other than some dialogue in French, even Gene Kelly's singing is dubbed in that; everyone but Danielle Darrieux is dubbed, but it's a wonderful film with a great cast, wonderful Michel Legrand music and memorable Jacques Demy direction. | |
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| If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 09:39 am EST 01/03/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Jeff Douglas in BRIGADOON - PlayWiz 03:59 pm EST 01/02/22 | |
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| Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones could have been cast as Tommy and Fiona and would have sung the score beautifully. | |
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| re: If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 12:36 pm EST 01/03/22 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 12:21 pm EST 01/03/22 | |
| In reply to: If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . - BroadwayTonyJ 09:39 am EST 01/03/22 | |
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| Yes, that would have been a possibility as well, although Shirley Jones didn't start in pictures until 1955 with her debut in "Oklahoma!". Of course, some studio (and Joe Pasternak at MGM especially) might have tried to get Deanna Durbin to return, as they would have her on a wish list for nearly any big musical project which had a leading soprano role, even up to and including "My Fair Lady". Or imagine her as Sarah Brown in "Guys and Dolls"! MGM also I believe meant to film "Brigadoon" on locations in Scotland originally, but decided not to spend the money, so it looks very studio-bound too. I watched recently "DuBarry Was a Lady" which I hadn't seen before. Lucille Ball looks great -- historic in that was her first time in her famous red hair and in gorgeous color. Not a very good film, but while Gene Kelly's dance number is really good, it was questionable to give him the big ballad "Do I Love You" to sing, as he really didn't sing it or ballads in general that well. Lucy was dubbed for her first number, but her distinctive voice was used for the kind of out-of-the-blue way in which "Friendship" is used as a near finale to the film. Of course, Lucy famously sang that number with Vivian Vance later on "I Love Lucy". | |
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| re: If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 06:45 pm EST 01/03/22 | |
| In reply to: re: If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . - PlayWiz 12:21 pm EST 01/03/22 | |
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| Lucy sang "Cuban Pete" with Desi on I LOVE LUCY and "A Couple of Swells" with Red Skeleton on THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY SERIES, both songs rather well. | |
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| re: If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 09:16 pm EST 01/03/22 | |
| In reply to: re: If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . - BroadwayTonyJ 06:45 pm EST 01/03/22 | |
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| Lucy sang "Cuban Pete" with Desi on I LOVE LUCY I don't think she literally *sang* anything in that number - he sang a little, but most of the song was spoken in rhythm. |
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| re: If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 02:46 am EST 01/04/22 | |
| In reply to: re: If only BRIGADOON had been filmed by a different studio . . . - Chromolume 09:16 pm EST 01/03/22 | |
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| I'm sure you are correct. I'm not as knowledgeable as you -- it's embarrassing since I really know nothing about the technical aspects of music, I'm just a fan. However, whatever Lucille Ball does in the "Cuban Pete" number -- I guess it's "sprechstimme" (speak-singing) -- she nails it IMO and really knows how to shake her can. It even does a little something for me (and I'm gay), but a lot more for Desi (I'm sure). | |
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