SYNOPSICS
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) is a English movie. Rick McKay has directed this movie. Edie Adams,Bea Arthur,Elizabeth Ashley,Alec Baldwin are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2003. Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) is considered one of the best Documentary,History,Music movie in India and around the world.
In their own words, and not a moment too soon - 'Broadway' tells the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theatre. This may be the last chance that these stories may be documented, for unlike film and television, live theatre exists only in the memories of those who were there watching, or more importantly, creating this magic. 'Broadway' tells the stories of these legendary performers, composers and writers while illustrating their tales with amazing, rare, archival performance footage and these legends' own home movies and photos.
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Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) Reviews
Twenty Four Carat GOLDEN AGE
Honestly, there's nothing better you could do with your time or money than buy this movie and watch it immediately. I'd heard glowing reviews of this movie, so as soon as it hit Chicago I was first in line, bringing a friend along. The next day, I was back there again, with another friend in tow. Myself, my friends, and everyone else I know that's seen this movie feel it is the most important documentary ever made about Broadway. They say history is made by the people who lived it, and here--from his own personal passion--Rick has amassed the largest number of living legends ever to appear in the same film. Rather than a bland collection of facts, this movie is filled with life and energy and stories--both silly and heartfelt--by the people who were actually there. You can't beat Chita Rivera talking about the original production of WEST SIDE STORY, or Angela Lansbury and MAME, or countless others. As you watch, you're simply spellbound by the love and dedication that went into preserving these people on film and more so, by the love and dedication these legends have for Broadway stage. Your heart aches to be there, with them, in all the glory and splendor they recreate from their recollections. Quite simply, if you care about theatre in any way shape or form, this movie is required viewing. And if you don't care about theatre, this movie will make you a convert to the magic that is live theatre. Rick McKay is a saint of the performing arts and deserves entry into the theatre hall of fame for this movie, right alongside all the legends he interviewed. The only thing you could possibly have against this film is that it's too short. It's two hours, and when it's done, you want to sit for another two, and I imagine another two after that.
Truly Inspirational
I was fortunate to view this at the NYC premiere. I was in total awe. After shaking hands with Kitty Carlisle Hart and saying Hi to the most recently departed Fay Wray, I was just amazed. It was an experience I will never ever forget. I also saw Miss Celeste Holm, Tommy Tune, Chita Rivera. It was totally wonderful! The film was excellent. I wanted to just sit there for hours and hours listening to what the actors and actresses had to say. Their stories were fascinating. Which is what a Documentary should be. Telling the story about what life was like. Giving the "Inside Scoop" I hope I will be able to see the sequel to it. Anyone who says this film is Amateurish obviously overlooks the fact that this film will be a classic and should receive an Oscar Nomination, if not the Oscar for best Documentary. Anyone guy who can go and interview over a hundred stars, has to be amazing. Go and buy this DVD!!!! It is worth every Penny!
DVD is amazing
I saw this film in New York in June and loved it then and I just saw a press screener of the DVD - it is amazing what the filmmaker has done. In addition to being incredibly entertaining as a film, this is destined to be an invaluable historic reference. There are dozens of interviews with actors giving us a first person account of Broadway's Golden Age by those who were there, creating it. The DVD has at leat 30 minutes of interviews with the cast of the upcoming (I hope soon) "Next Generation" including: Betty Buckley, Jason Alexander, Doug Sills, John Barrowman, Cady Huffman and Daisy Eagan. There are also deleted scenes, one has Marian Seldes on Katharine Cornell - I cannot imagine how this was not in the original film. The movie could have been twice as long and still held up. It's also fun to see the alternate ending on the DVD and the red carpet footage of the NY and LA openings. This is not a rental, you will want to own it and watch it when you want to be entertained, or inspired, or moved, or laugh. This film is incredible.
A Whole Era in a Brilliant Time Travel Time Capsule
I just saw this movie last week on the Floating Film Festival where top critics are all on a cruise ship and as we sail they present the films that they love to the audience. Roger Ebert, Richard Corliss (Time), etc. This one was presented by Kathleen Carrol from the New York Daily News and boy was she popular after she showed this film! The ship projectionist screwed up the film and when they first showed it they could only show 20 minutes and the projector broke. What a crazed audience! Everyone was dying to see what happened. Well, by the time they got it fixed and showed the full film later in the week the anticipation was impossibly high, what with the word of mouth and all! But, the film completely lived up to it! It was introduced as a documentary, but it was more like time travel where you see 100 different great stars (Shirley MacLaine, Angela Lansbury, Carol Burnett, Ben Gazzara, Stephen Sondheim, Martin Landau, Kaye Ballard and Alec Baldwin and a lot more) all talk about struggling and coming to New York City to follow a dream. Well, in fiction you would never believe a movie that had 100 people whose dreams all come true - but this one - reality - it did happen. It was really inspiring to me and to the rest of the audience! And the old footage of New York! Times Square in the 40's! It really was a trip back in time to a bygone time that I am too young to have ever lived through! And the performances! A woman I had never heard of named Loretta Taylor who almost everybody in the film said changed their lives. And then the filmmaker found footage of her that he got in the film. Just beautiful. The original stars of "West Side Story" singing live - not dubbed like in the movie. And Bob Fosse dancing - with his wife Gwen Verdon. Ohmigod. Carol Hanie in "Steam Heat" - Marlon Brando in "A STreetcar Named Desire" - on and on. I have never seen a really passionate story about following dreams, New York, time travel and great peformances all combined in one film. AS much as it made me sorry I had missed this era on Broadway (Cats?! Les Miserable?! NO thanks!) it made me really love film even more to realize that one guy (the director) could make this movie alone. The critic who introduced the film talked about him and it is amazing that he shot it and edited it and directed it all alone and if he hadn't we would never have this movie. PBS does nice documentaries (Baseball, Civil War, NYC, Jazz, etc.) but they are always scholarly and have an "educational" feel. THIS did not. It was intelligent and passionate and had a REAL PERSON narrating it, not a disembodied, stentorian voice, and you really felt like someone was guiding, or walking you through this trip back in time. Am I going on a bit? Yes I am! The most wonderful news is that we were told that the film is opening in movie theaters around the country this summer so everyone can see it. And also exciting is that the DVD has even MORE of this same. I can't wait. Everyone on the ship was asking for it all week. Bravo. Movies like this are why I love independent film!
A documentary that resonates with viewer
Unlike so many quickly forgotten documentaries this sterling entry is a memorable experience, both educational and fun for anyone with whatever degree of interest/curiosity in the history of Broadway musicals and its Golden Age talent. Since so many of these celebrities are at the age where they soon might not be with us, it is a godsend to have their thoughts on their craft captured for posterity. This is the type of film where one viewing is not sufficient to capture all the flavor and nuances of the star-studded personalities captured in interview by the filmmaker. A very worthwhile experience!!!