Starring Ann-Margaret, Anne Meara, Ann Miller, and Harvey Evans
Directed by Martin Charnin and Walter C. Miller
Music by Jim Wise; Lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller
Hoping to drum up viewers, the networks revived the hour-long musical format in the late 60's and early 70's. The Bell System Family Theater was NBC's blanket term for a series of hour-long specials that ranged from heart-tugging dramas to big Broadway shows. We've already seen one of them, George M!, last year for our All-American Weekdays. Dames at Sea actually started way off Broadway as a satirical skit in a small cafe. It moved off-Broadway in 1968 and was a huge hit in its tiny staging, with six performers backed by a piano. How does this small-time spoof of big Berkeley-style movies look today? Let's start off on-stage with one of the highlights, big star Mona Kent (Miller) tapping away to "Wall Street," and find out...
The Story: "Wall Street" ends with Mona insisting the rehearsal went badly. Her fits of temperament are driving the show's director Hennessy (Fred Gwynne) crazy. Into this hot bed of intrigue walks little Ruby (Ann-Margaret), straight off the bus from Centerville, Utah. Wise-cracking chorus girl Joan (Meara) convinces Hennessy to take her on the spot. She hasn't eaten in three days, though. As Joan goes to find food, she faints into the arms of sailor and aspiring songwriter Dick (Harvey Evans). They almost literally fall in love at first sight. Mona, however, hears Dick's songs and thinks they'd be perfect for her. Ruby catches them together and thinks she's lost him.
That's not the only thing she's lost. Hennessy gives them the bad news that the theater is to be torn down. Dick offers the battle cruiser where he's stationed as the theater. Turns out the Captain, Lucky (Dick Shawn), is an old flame of Mona's. She's easily able to persuade him, but she's still after Dick and his songs, too. She has Ruby thrown out when she shows her up, but it turns out that Ruby may be the only one who can save the production when Mona can't continue.
The Song and Dance: Terrific cast makes the most of the hilarious spoof. Ann-Margaret is adorable playing against type as the dewy Ruby Keeler ingenue, and Broadway actor Evans is sweetly clueless as her songwriting sailor swain. Miller, who usually played types that came closer to Joan in her MGM days, relishes being the temperamental diva who doesn't like to remember she came from humble beginnings.
For once, the lower TV budget works in the show's favor. It still looks small enough to pass for an off-Broadway satire, while big enough to fill the small screen. The costumes are especially well-done, from the sailor uniforms to Joan's loud plaids and Ruby's little-girl-pink ruffles, not to mention some of the more spectacular lounge outfits Mona stomps around in.
Favorite Number: The movie kicks off with its strongest asset, Miller tapping up a storm as she dances with chorus girls and ticker tape on "Wall Street." Ruby faints dead away in Dick's arms...and the moment she awakens, they sing about how "It's You." Mona makes fun of blues songs lamenting unfaithful lovers while sitting on top of a piano for "That Mister Man of Mine." Ruby's own lament after she catches Mona and Dick together, "Raining In My Heart," turns into a chorus routine under umbrellas and plastic raincoats. Joan rallies everyone for "Good Times are Here to Stay" after the theater's been condemned.
The title song is heard twice, as a number for the sailors to persuade Lucky to use the ship for the show, and in the opening and closing. "Star Tar" is the big number on the battleship that does, indeed, turn Ruby into a star. She dances up a storm with the sailors, and even has a spectacular finale. The actual finale is "Let's Have a Simple Wedding" as the three couples come together on the ship, with sailor ushers and chorus girl bridesmaids.
Trivia: This was a huge hit at the off-Broadway Bouwerie Lane Theater in 1968, running over a year and making a real-life star out of its original Ruby, Bernadette Peters. A London mounting in a larger theater ran a half a year in 1969. It tried Broadway in 2015, but once again proved to be too small for a large venue and barely lasted three months. It does remain popular with high schools and regional theaters looking for a small show.
What I Don't Like: While the TV movie isn't as big as the West End or Broadway versions, having an orchestra and all those chorus girls and sailors does still kind of lose the point of doing a big show with a small cast. It also cut a lot of characters and songs from the original to fit the time slot. Lucky was originally Dick's sidekick, and Hennessy and the Captain were played by the same person. Here, the Captain is merged with Lucky. Among the songs dropped were two solos for Dick and Ruby, "The Sailor of My Dreams" and "Broadway Baby," and a second duet for them, "There's Something About You." Mona was rehearsing a number called "The Echo Waltz" when she got seasick. Joan and Lucky had their own duet, "Choo-Choo Honeymoon."
(Also, you probably need to have seen at least one or two of the 30's Busby Berkeley musicals this movie is spoofing to get what they're going for here.)
The Big Finale: Once again, it's a shame this is the only filming of this show to date. This is highly recommended if you're a fan of the cast or the real Busby Berkeley musicals of the 30's and is just too cute for words.
Home Media: At press time, this rarity can only be found on YouTube.
No comments:
Post a Comment