Angela Lansbury as Mame

This was how she was billed when she took on her second Broadway musical in 1966. She fought very hard to even be seen for it, as the powers that be felt she was always playing “somebody’s mother.” It took a lot of hard work and effort on her part, but with the help of composer Jerry Herman, she won the role. It’s a well-known fact that Angela Lansbury didn’t get to make the film version of Mame in Hollywood. Lansbury, who won her first of an unprecedented four Tonys for Best Actress in a Musical, gave a star turn for the ages and she reached a new level of stardom in her career. But her performance, seen for two years on Broadway and later on national tour, wasn’t enough for her to land the part when Warner Bros. got the film up and running. She didn’t go down without a fight: some say her showstopping production number of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” on the ’68 Oscar telecast was an audition of sorts for the Hollywood establishment. Lucille Ball made the film, and the rest is unfortunate history (have you seen the film…? yikes).

In 1983, Lansbury revived the show for what proved to be an ill-advised and short-lived flop revival of her signature role. The show, with little fanfare, set up shop in the behemoth Gershwin Theatre for a disappointing run of 41 performances. Anne Francine (Bea Arthur’s replacement and a cabaret star), Jane Connell, Willard Waterman, Sab Shimino all reprised their original roles opposite Lansbury. While the response to the revival was tepid, Lansbury was nothing short of sensational. Have a look…

“It’s Today”

“Mame”

“That’s How Young I Feel”

“If He Walked Into My Life” plus the staged curtain call

Barbara Walters saw "Dear World"

Angela Lansbury appears on “The View” to promote the fantastic revival of Blithe Spirit (my delayed recount of the opening night is one the way…), discussing much of her career and even recreating the much-discussed interpretive dance that has become one of the highlights of the current theatre season. Enjoy.

Gone With the Wind: 70th Anniversary Festivities Begin!

The year 1939 is considered one of the most outstanding in Hollywood history. There was an unusual amount of critical and audience favorites that have maintained their esteem these 70 years removed. Dark Victory, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Destry Rides Again, Wuthering Heights, Beau Geste, Ninotchka, Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Of Mice and Men, Only Angels Have Wings, The Women, Young Mr. Lincoln, Drums Along the Mohawk and the perennial favorite, The Wizard of Oz are just some of the films that came out that year. However, with the arguable exception of The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind certainly came out on top as one of the all-time box office champs and the recipient of 10 Oscars (8 competitive, 1 technical and 1 honorary). The film set a box office record that would not be surpassed until The Sound of Music was released in 1965 and was the first film ever broadcast on TCM. Every major anniversary of both The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind have brought about major reissues and home video releases, so it’s expected that the same will apply this year. The festivities for Gone with the Wind start next month at the Atlanta Film Festival (a focal setting of the novel and film, and also where the film had its world premiere). I don’t know about you, but I would love to see this film on the big screen.

Gone With the Wind: A 70th Anniversary Celebration
With Special Guests Turner Classic Movie’s Robert Osborne, Baltimore Sun Critic Michael Sragow and Author/Critic Molly Haskell
April 18-19, 2009

Sunday, April 19 at 12:30pm
70th Anniversary Screening of Gone With the Wind
with Pre-Screening Talk-Back with Robert Osborne

“Gone With the Wind” will be shown at the Fox Theatre. Doors will open to the public at 11:30am. This is a reserved seating event. Tickets are $10 and $15 and will be available at the Fox Theatre Box Office or online at ticketmaster.com and at Ticketmaster outlets beginning February 16, 2009.

PURCHASE MOVIE TICKETS!
THIS IS A RESERVED SEATING EVENT.
TICKETS ARE $10.00 AND $15.00

Support the Atlanta Film Festival at an EXCLUSIVE Fundraiser: A Southern Breakfast
Mint JulepSunday, April 19th at 10:00am: Join the Atlanta Film Festival for an exclusive private brunch at the home of board member Scott Benson (director, The Race to Save 100 Years). Guests will “never be hungry again” as they enjoy a fantastic Southern Breakfast buffet accompanied by mint juleps and sweet tea. Mr. Osborne, Ms. Haskell and Mr. Sragow will be in attendance–and guests will all be treated to gift bag which includes a signed copy of each of their books.

Guests will be conveniently shuttled to the screening, where their VIP reserved seats await. Space for this event is extremely limited–$500 minimum donation required. Proceeds for this fundraiser support the Atlanta Film Festival in its mission to lead the community in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. To reserve your space and make your pledge to the Atlanta Film Festival, contact Paula Martinez at 404-352-4225.

Coffeehouse: State of Film Criticism
featuring Molly Haskell and Michael Sragow

Saturday, April 18th at 4:00pm: An intimate discussion at the new Starbucks on Monroe at the Midtown Promenade with a host of critics and bloggers from all over the U.S.

The Gone With the Wind Legacy:
A discussion with Robert Osborne, Michael Sragow and Molly Haskell

Gone With the Wind, Saturday, April 18th at 8:00pm: Atlanta History Center’s The Literary Center at Margaret Mitchell House will host a very special author program for film lovers. Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne will lead a discussion with Michael Sragow, movie critic of The Baltimore Sun, and Molly Haskell, critic and author. Turner Classic Movies presents these film experts in a discussion about the legacy of “Gone With the Wind,” its director Victor Fleming, and the Hollywood heyday of 1939.

The event will showcase new books from all three experts: “80 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards” by Robert Osborne, “Victor Fleming,” a biography by Michael Sragow, and “Frankly, My Dear: “Gone with the Wind” Revisited,” by Molly Haskell.

Doors open at 7:00pm; program begins at 8:00pm. Tickets are $5 for members of the Atlanta History Center and Margaret Mitchell House; $10 for nonmembers. Reservations required at 404.814.4150. For more information, visit www.gwtw.org.

Happy Birthday, Patricia Morison!

The actress who found her greatest success as Lilli Vanessi in the original production of Kiss Me, Kate turns 94 today. Her other big credit was a replacement Mrs. Anna in The King and I, which she took on tour and revived regionally over the years. Morison was signed to motion pictures as a rival to Dorothy Lamour, but found herself underused and returned to the stage. She lives in retirement in California and from what I hear, is in excellent health and spirits.
Here’s a clip of Morison and co-star Alfred Drake singing “Wunderbar” in the 1958 telecast of Kiss Me, Kate.

And here is Morison with Yul Brynner performing “Shall We Dance?” on the 1971 Tony Awards.

Natasha Richardson (1963-2009)

The family has released a statement that Ms. Richardson has passed away:

“Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

The past two days have kept the world gripped as they awaited word on the condition of the actress. Unfortunately, the world was subject to some of the worst journalism that has been seen in recent memory. Instead of reporting facts, news outlets such as Time Out New York, the New York Post and the New York Daily News took to reporting prematurely of her health condition, from a premature obituary to editorializing what little facts were known. Instead of waiting for confirmation, these reporters took it upon themselves to print a headline and then immediately refute it with “sources say.”

Though many of the reports proved to be accurate, it does not excuse the unabashed lack of journalistic integrity and utter insensitivity in the reporting. The Redgraves are a world renown acting dynasty and in a higher profile. They are also a family of class that has managed to carry themselves above the ranks of tabloid fodder. It is discomforting to see paparazzi snapshots of family members, especially the incredible forlorn shot of Richardson’s mother, Vanessa Redgrave, at their most emotionally exposed as they merely try to enter a hospital. Inasmuch, the respect for the memory of the late Ms. Richardson and privacy for her surviving family is mandated.

The true journalistic nadir came in this morning’s edition of the NY Daily News. In an article compiled by Joe Dziemianowicz, George Rush and Corky Siemaszko, and I quote:

“Neeson, 56, who starred in ‘Schindler’s List,’ knows a little about what it’s like to be a widower. He played one in the cult romance ‘Love Actually.'”

The line was cut from the online edition, but you would believe it, made it into the print edition, in perhaps the most tasteless display I’ve seen in quite some time.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Ms. Richardson’s entire family during this unthinkable tragedy. I only hope that the family was spared as much of the media circus as possible.