johnm001

I didn't see it, but from the reviews I read, I can see that the changes made took all the sense and charm out of the show. It closed pretty quickly. Well, I did see it; and, except for the presence of the lovely and talented Lea Salonga, there was nothing to recommend it to a general audience. How much Asian-Americans took to it, I've no clue. But, apparently, they had little interest in a musical without an ounce of charm or fun. The writer claimed that he wanted to write a play that Oscar Hammerstein II would have written had he been Asian-American. The fact that Hammerstein based his original play on a book written by an Asian, seems to have escaped him! It's been a very long time since I read the book; but, with the exception of taking a much-less somber tone, I don't recall that the characters were portrayed any differently in the musical. "Caricatures" and all.

Without going back to the very first thread, I'm going to assume the question is "preference"??? Nope. It's which film(s) in B&W would you like to see in color, and vice versa?

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Grace Kelly was from the East Falls section of Philadelphia. Many people spoke like that from that area.

Then when they do the bit with the Mike sprite! LOL!!!

I'm pretty sure I've seen every episode of MST3K. My favorite episode is the one with the short A CASE OF SPRING FEVER and the feature film SQUIRM. Every comment and every bit during movie breaks is a classic. It has not been released on home video, yet.

No, the real shame is that you couldn't be in the newsroom of the Times when this was written, and for that matter, in any other publication that should ever review a musical, because God knows nobody could ever be as brilliant and insightful as you obviously think you are. Wow, yet another in a long line of worthless posts, from you If you're going to respond to my posts (which I've asked you, repeatedly, not to do), then why not respond to the point I was making? The reviewer does not review the film FLOWER DRUM SONG. Point to specifics about the film, as cinema, in his review. He reviews the source material, which was a Broadway play and a book, which is what many reviewers do. It's fine to include, but there really is nothing about the review that gives you much indication of what they thought of the film, as a movie musical. I can only assume that he was incapable of doing that, or he would have done it.

Interestingly, Wyler, the only man to have ever directed three Best Picture Oscar-winners, was also the original director on three other Best Pictures for which he did much of the location scouting, casting and screenplay development, but didn't get to actually direct: HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY, PATTON and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. He was able to direct in so many genres. He did none of the casting on THE SOUND OF MUSIC. I know nothing about the casting of the other two films. You mentioned Roddy McDowall, did he cast anyone else in HGWMV? What about PATTON?

Then why post a meaningless post such as that? For someone who posts as many useless posts as you, that sure is some statement. The pot calling the kettle black springs to mind. You're a b*tch.

Yes, it was her second film. Interestingly, she got the role when William Wyler suggested her to Martin Ransohoff, who wanted Audrey Hepburn for the role. Wyler wanted Hepburn for THE SOUND OF MUSIC (which he was signed to direct). Of course, Hepburn would have not been available to do 'Emily', due to her committment to MY FAIR LADY, which conflicted. Even if she were interested in it, which I've no knowledge of, one way or the other. Julie and Richard Harris did not get along during the filming of HAWAII; but, otherwise, she loved it, and loved the state, even buying property there, and going back, quite often.

I enjoyed seeing Bette Davis play Apple Annie in Pocketful of Miracles. She had distanced herself from sympathetic character roles, and I thought she was a delight. Plus, I feel this was a great venue for Ford's talents as a finagler as he and Peter Falk did a great 1-2. Hope Lange had a spunky part and looked fabulous. I enjoy Bette in the role, as well. Although, she's no match for May Robson, imo. I prefer Glenn Ford to William Warren, though. Shirley Jones was the first person signed-on to do the film, as Queenie Martin. When Capra didn't get Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin to take on the role of Dude and signed-on Glenn Ford, it was under the condition that his then girlfriend, Hope Lange, play Queenie. Jones was paid a contract cancellation fee.

Julie always has been pretty dodgy on answering that. She does tend to allude to it being THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY (which I know is James Garner's favorite film); but, she tends to stick to the "it's like saying which is your favorite child", answer, when asked. She and Newman got along famously, and she even based the title of one of her books on something he said about her. In an interview, he said about Julie, "She's the last of the really great broads."

I feel we're about to get inundated with McClerie photos Which would be a hell of a lot more interesting that being inundated with inane and mean-spirited posts like the above one from you. Which everyone is forced to endure around here, on a daily basis, if they want any interaction with others.

Right. Because the review doesn't review the film. The exact same words could be said about the Broadway show (and were, in fact); and, even to some extent the original book on which both are based. I agree that it is interesting to note that those sentiments aren't anything new, though. What's a shame, is that he didn't review the film.

Of course, that review, like so many others regarding musical adaptations of Broadway shows, has almost nothing to do with a critique of the film; but rather, of the source material. It's the kind of review that Pauline Kael was so fond of writing. Most crritics simply don't know how to write a film review. It could just as easily have been a review of the Broadway stage show, for all you've learned about how the film's, orchestrations, performances, direction, cinematography, editing, choreography, etc. fared. Pointless.

http://media.putfile.com/01---Main-Title---Overture-Flower-Drum-Song Such beautiful music; and, among the best things about the film are the orchestral arrangements by Alfred Newman. His "Overture" playing under the opening credits, is a masterpiece; which you can listen to by clicking on the link.

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The photo with Rupert Everett (and w/Liam Neeson) - it's the story of a woman going through great turmoil and grief, not to mention, dying of MS. Not the kind of film where you're meant to look glamorous.

That doesn't alter the fact that they are showing an edited version.

Here's a "B" I'm not looking forward to and it seems to air all too frequently. Beach Blanket Bingo What's even worse is that they show an edited version of it.

Most B&W films, I think of, I cannot imagine in color, except for the musicals. In fact, the only film I ever want to be in color, whenever I watch it, is the one I mentioned, HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY. I think I could take going the other way (color to black and white), a lot better.

I also have to disagree with johnm who thought "How Green Was my Valley" should have been in color. Huh? You disagree with what I would prefer? That doesn't even make any sense. While I understand what you're saying, I never said that the film should have been in color, I said I would much rather see it in color. It's not an opinion, it's a fact. I would rather see the film in color. It's not a issue for debate, it just is.

A very nice DVD of one of my favorite film musicals.

I guess I'd go with HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY, for a film that I'd much rather see in color; and ROPE, for a color film that could possibly have worked even better, in B&W.