Musical Theatre Coach Reacts (MEMORY - JENNIFER HUDSON, ELAINE PAIGE) CATS

Musical Theatre Coach Marc Daniel Patrick reacts to “Memory”, as performed by Jennifer Hudson & Elaine Paige.
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In this video Marc discusses the differences between the two interpretations of the song, the different between stage and film musicals and how to focus on telling the story before singing the song.

[@someguyonli]

I respectfully disagree with your view of the actors falling to the ground. Grizabella is fighting to be reborn. Basically fighting for her life. She is fighting with everything her frail, withered body has left. The collapse is the point where she has nothing left to give. She is just about to give up until she is encouraged to get back up and fight. This is how I see it.

[@TheCurt82]

I agree. As a choreographer, she has already sung this song in the show and got no response (that she sees). She's literally at the end of her rope. Could the direction of "how" that happens been better? Yes, but the collapse isn't just about standing up to belt. She is the one character whose poem was never finished by T.S. Elliot.

[@PeiPeisMom]

I agree. As a cat owner, I can tell you that she is acting how cats act when they are at the end and in anguish. It's kind of brilliant, actually

[@RoseCoat-ui9gh]

Same. ❤

[@TheTexasCowboy56]

Amen I see it as she kinda of giving up and it took one of the young cats to speak up more unless to bring her back to life and make her feel something again how I see it.

[@charfree6888]

I don't think Elaine has an "INTERPRETATION" of the song. She is the song.

[@annacairns]

char free Agreed 🎭❤️ She was wasn’t the OG Grizabella Dame Judi Dench was. She got injured, Andrew called Elaine to step in. Rest is history.

[@cassandrarichards4781]

Truer words have never been spoken

[@lesliepittsburghpa]

Very well said!

[@laurenlanier4431]

100% yes. Legend.

[@Somethingidk432]

*Betty Buckley wants to know your location

[@stephaniewayman6850]

And this song is why I pet all the stray kitties I find.....

[@Jessica-th7yo]

😭😭 same!!!

[@addonisjohnson6327]

i love this song but this guy talks too too much i rather hear the song and he can talk afterwards

[@stephaniewayman6850]

@@addonisjohnson6327 lol. Its a reaction video.....

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Bahahaha.

[@paulybarr]

@@addonisjohnson6327 This is how reaction videos work- the presenter always stops and discusses points of interest as they occur. There would be too much commentary to remember if they saved it all till afterwards.

[@christophekeating21]

Jennifer Hudson's Griselda belts out "touch me" and "if you touch me" when Victoria just touched her seconds before. Am I insane, or what? The whole point was everyone was preventing the younger cats from even touching her because that signified acceptance. That's why it happens after, normally, not before!

[@tonk82]

Yep. They totally screwed up that part. The people making the movie didn't even understand that, and it's the heart of the entire musical. Not Hudson's fault though

[@artysplash5969]

They screeed up whole film and all songs and performances and even characters!! 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[@tazymomo9394]

Here's what I'll say. There's a difference between a child (which is what Victoria is presented as) befriending you out of curiosity without really knowing you and a society that doesn't know you that shunned you without reason. You have that one friend who decided they liked you right off the bat and still feel isolated. My take from this song is someone who's effectively given up and when she screams "touch me" I feel like she's saying in that HUD's interpretation she's saying emotionally. In the movie it seems like "touch me" is her way of saying that just a simple acknowledgement of her would make her happy

[@kino9643]

@@tazymomo9394 (these points come from Sideways' analysis of the cats movie, however I agree with all of it) but the thing is is that Grizabella shrinks away from Victoria when they first meet each other in the movie. If she's so desperate to be acknowledged, why would she shy away from even a kitten reaching out towards her? especially when no one else who knows her past is around to stop her. not to mention the movie has Victoria is touching Grizabella to help her up IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY!! the other cats have been shown time and time again to be hostile towards her, so there's no way they'd let a kitten get anywhere near her until she makes her case about being accepted again. the state musical's scene between Victoria and Grizabella is that Victoria touching her is a sign of the /community/ itself welcoming her back into the fold.

[@BC-fh3jt]

Eliaine is a trained actress/songtress, her embodiment of emotions and melodies to this one is priceless.

[@fusedxman]

Honestly, I love the Elaine page version simply because Veerle Casteleyn’s voice as Jemima is so beautiful!

[@bragielizabeth]

Veerle Casteleyn's voice was actually dubbed over by Helen Massey in the 1998 film.

[@MattJacksonOOC]

I love Elaine Page's version.. And regarding her walking back & forth on stage: The other cats had turned their backs on her & this was a way for us to see all the Cats ignoring her. But as she continues to sing, one by one - the cats turn around to listen.

[@kimesch9698]

To me it seemed more a chance for the folks in the cheap seats to see a bit of the song as well as to give some movement to the tempo which can drag.

[@Derpypawz2008]

Also, it depicts her decrepit old frame, she’s weak, idk how you can’t tell how it’s so obvious even non theatre people can pick up that she’s old by this hobbling walk

[@CEWThree]

I hate, hate, HATE how they mixed the orchestra for the film version. In the climax of the song, they drown out Hudson's singing, which muffles the emotional climax of the whole movie. Tom Hooper has won Oscars. He's smarter than this.

[@Kelnor277]

I like the stage movement in Elaine's performance, she's shambling and to me she sold it. Out of all the performances, Elaine's is the one that sold me the most on the character. It just feels like she's struggling to do this performance while still making it seem effortless somehow.

[@Settledinyorks]

Random fact: Judi Dench had an accident in rehearsals and was replaced before opening in Cats in London by Elaine Paige. It’s rather lovely that Dame Judi is in the film.

[@caligal1090]

miss judi dench can sing?! wow shes more amazing than i already thought she was

[@Settledinyorks]

The Dame certainly can. There is a recording of her in Cabaret and she sang Send in the Clowns at the Proms in London. Had she not had to withdraw from Cats her career might have been rather different

[@adriandurlej9266]

i still see her in my nightmares breaking the 4th wall. thanks judi

[@JoelBrewton]

I saw “Cats” 2019 in theaters twice, and both times were rather rowdy as they were after the film had received its “so bad its good” status. However, at both screenings, the audience immediately went silent and reverently listed to Jennifer sing.

[@jamestlynn]

Plagiarist. You stole that from Lindsey Ellis’s video (Why is Cats?) when she described going to a screening of 2019 Cats with two of her friends. “Reverently listening” is what gave it away.

[@pennyj5595]

The only issue with 2019 ‘Memory’ is that RIGHT BEFORE the big “touch me” moment, Victoria IS LITERALLY TOUCHING HER 😭😭 like what’s the point?? (I guess you could argue that it doesn’t count bc Victoria isn’t actually a jelicle cat ?? Idk. I just feel like it defeats the whole purpose)

[@SlightlyPeeved]

I agree, it’s like the director had no comprehension of the actual lyrics (also of the musical as a whole,) and actually have the actors match what they’re singing about.

[@dtulip1]

tbf the "film" was absolute shite :)

[@kadeedoyle]

Elaine's performance literally makes me weep everytime I see or hear it. I know the performance so well I see it in my mind. I appreciate the way you close your eyes and stop talking just to listen and to feel the emotions they are conveying.

[@daitran9068]

Elaine is a Diamond. Everything else is gonna look like cheap jewelry.

[@najinea08]

I remember the amount of tears Elaine Paige gave me for that one song 😭😭 I didn't expect really to cry for this musical. Omg.. I'm getting goosebumps again.

[@iamheretoforgeapathofnoreturn]

Elaine Paige is a vocal goddess 🙌👑✨

[@thomasbradley4505]

Elaine Paige’s version has always been my favorite.

[@animalkah]

I got chills when Elaine Page rose from the ground.

[@artysplash5969]

Yeah. That's a very strong move! It gives me chills every time I see it. It's so perfect. So on time.

[@jessicasevin1870]

To go from laying to standing and still belting out touch me like that Elaine page is a god

[@ashleymitchell2755]

Elaine Paige is a goddess. I cry and get chills every single time. It's so haunting. It's hard for me to really love J Huds' version; I appreciate her emotionality in the beginning, but I wish she would have cut it off earlier. I feel like she sacrificed good singing for emotion. Which is def a choice of course. We know J Hud can blow.

[@khalilc.4876]

I think Grizabella falls to the floor to show that it was her lowest point. When she rises once again to truly express her pain from years of heartbreak and neglect. She's probably had been abandoned many times hence the lyric, "it's so easy to leave me." She wants to be accepted by her family because those were the best days of her life; "of my days in the sun." Jemima singing with her was the first step for Grizabella's redemption. She helped the other jellice cats to forgive her, and let go of their grudge.

[@SallyWallach]

I saw Elaine Page in Cats in London when I was in my 30s. She was, of course, magnificent. But, I was very aware of the craft in her performance. Of course, I worked in theater then, so I rarely was enchanted into a suspension of reality. I was sometimes, though, and Paige, with all her skill, did not pull me completely in. Now I am an old woman. I find Jennifer Hudson's Grizabella heart stopping in its pain and anger. Believe me, this is how old people often feel. Team Hudson. As for the pacing and dropping to the floor, I hear your point. To the knees would have been powerful. The aesthetic of Cats, though, has always been to hew tightly to actual cat movement. I've provided hospice to a lot of strays rescued from the streets. When cats are dying, many of them repeatedly surge to their feet, wander a bit, and then run out of strength and collapse, lying flat until they surge to their feet again. So, that movement makes sense to me.

[@beckyc8104]

Watching Hudsons performance makes you realise the movie could have been great if they had just kept it like the classic in terms of costume and no stupid comic relief moments. But I also understand they may have been worried it was too outdated if kept the same. But still seems like a wasted opportunity for what could have been a good movie.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Good points here. Mistoffelees especially. By far my fav character in the show and the film just ruined him.

[@kp4692]

I’m really mad about what they did to Misto too! Also what they did to Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer!

[@wossonjohn85]

Personally, I just think it's not a musical that lends itself to a film adaptation. The stage show's plot is paper-thin at best but the fantastic songs/performances carry it so it's not really an issue on stage. For it to work on screen, for the average cinema-goer, they had to completely rework it, adding new characters, changing existing ones, and adding/altering plot points, some of these were done more successfully than others. I actually think they didn't do a terrible job at fleshing out the story for the big screen. Fans of the musical would have been happy with a straight-up adaption from stage to screen, however, this wouldn't have been enough for it to be deemed a success at the box office... though in hindsight with how it ended up performing maybe they should have just done that anyway. I don't understand their decision to go completely CGI for the costumes/fur, the costumes on the original production were fantastic and costume design/production is phenomenal atm just imagine what they could have produced with a big Hollywood budget and it still would have cost a fraction of what it did using CGI. It seemed like they were using a cutting edge technology and wanted to show it off, hoping it would be the next big advancement in CGI and that Cats would be held up as the shining example of the next level in animation, much like Beauty and the Beast, Monsters Inc., etc were at the time... slightly backfired ha!

[@lesliepittsburghpa]

Live action films always seem to ruin broadway versions 👎👎👎

[@natashalaitysnyder3029]

I think it could have been great as an animated movie

[@kadiejones4097]

Elaine’s beginning of the song with JHud’s climax…now that would be perfection.

[@vampirewolf373]

My thought when she falls is she's so tired of finding the strength to go on another day being less than she was with nothing but the memories to comfort her. She's old, she can't really move that well, the other cats don't seem to pay her much mind anymore if they ever did. She just wants to lay down and give up. Then she's convinced to go on again. That's what I got out of it at least

[@coralreeves4276]

The moment I saw Elaine Paige, my hand just automatically clicked. Her delivery reminded me of Sunset Blvd! I freaking love her! Also, Jennifer Hudson... If Elaine made me freeze in awe, Jennifer made me ugly cry. What? I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying!!! 😭😭😭 EDIT: Whoa, Marc I just noticed you WERE crying!!! 😲

[@kellydavis1837]

This, my reaction was the same. I adore Elaine and her version but Jennifer's too my breath away and had me bawling

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

The high point of this song gets me every time with performers who do it properly.

[@TinyPple45]

When the eyebrows purse and he smiles you know somebody just did something really right lmfao

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Bahahaha. Talk about in-depth analysis.

[@polyprinz]

Elaine will always be the ONE when it comes to this song.

[@Ariesyabari]

I do enjoy that Jennifer allowed herself to be completely in the moment

[@rixx46]

not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but Hudson performed the song live to camera, not a prerecord as is usually done in movies.

[@thewizfan7627]

I SAID THE SAME THING

[@joshuajma]

I applaud all of the people who worked with Tom Hooper for still having voices today. I get the reason why he'd have his actors sing live, but it's a really bad idea for film. You need a lot of takes, and it can really damage the voice.

[@timothynoble802]

Right she performed live and sir shut up and let her sing

[@stephaniejohnson229]

I was doing fine until Elaine hit that big note and then, as usual, I cried lol

[@derivative8861]

that growl JHud she hit on the "All alone" gave me chills

[@TheAdmiralsRebelyn]

THIS! and that single tear on mark's cheek. me too, bud. me too

[@roxannecheatham57]

Elaine Paige's performance is the best! Clear, expressive and emotional.

[@scottjohnson5415]

Jennifer Hudson really nailed the anger and sadness of the song. I like how she used a bit of vocal fry, and closed down some of the notes to express her anger about the unfairness of being rejected because she's old and no longer beautiful.

[@artysplash5969]

Whole point that in that song there's NO ANGER! Only cry of the soul and wanting to be with others. No any anger or agression as it brought Hudson... Right away as I heard this agressive vocal and her type of sining - I just said "No! No! No!" 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[@cromulentwords]

"Tell the story now. We can sing about it later." Cosmic wisdom. Both actresses do great with conveying the pain in this song. It's not a song full of comfortable emotion. It's more like finally opening up about something you really don't want to talk about, and gradually realizing that you needed to say it for a long time. For a musical about loquacious house pets, this song has a pure simplicity to it that engages on a deeper level. It oozes human emotion, and every time I listen to the soundtrack there's always that little jolt as I stop being merely entertained by cute cat poems and synthtastic dance breaks and start tearing up.

[@firewheels90]

YES! You capture that perfectly.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Wow. So incredibly well said. Thank you for sharing.

[@linneacapps4427]

Both actresses have beautiful voices. That being said I preferred Elaine Page's version. I felt Jennifer Hudson's performance was choppy, thoughts and phrases disconnected. The phrases, as she sang, were so I found myself wishing for the song to be over.

[@lianithomasprewitt2428]

Agree. I didn't care for Hudson's version at all. it seemed like she was trying too hard to be emotional. That is just my opinion as it seems so many liked it.

[@adannunez8540]

Both actresses have beautiful voices. That being said I preferred Elaine Page's version. I felt Jennifer Hudson's performance was choppy, thoughts and phrases disconnected. The phrases, as she sang, were so I found myself wishing for the song to be over.

[@bluewolf6323]

I know this is old but wanted to say this! The studio version is way better! Like, in the movie, it's stupid to have her crying and too emotional because that's just gonna fuck up a performance no matter how talented you are. In the studio version, however, Jennifer is just as straightforward. No crying and she sings it beautifully. Now, Elaine Page is a lovely singer, I love her version, and I will always love it! I also love Jennifer Hudson's rendition so I don't compare each other too much. The movie version Jennifer Hudson did is so stupid because of the crying she does and it just makes her voice performance so stupid.

[@DarkAce7]

Agreed. Hudson’s performance is choppy and it comes off to me as so dang muted in the sound, she’s trying so hard to act and emote it all. Not the best performance, but not awful. But if I didn’t already know the lyrics from other performances, I do t think I’d know what the heck she’s saying/singing at all

[@artysplash5969]

Yeah. I could barely hear her. She was "swallowing" whole words and endings, like she didn't care bout lyrics and meaning of the song but only to show those feelings...that were too much for me. And after that she somehow turned whole chorus into agressive, andry loud but souless thing...Her version didn't move at all. At the end I sat with just 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️...

[@debbihobson6954]

My favorite aspect of Jennifer Hudson's performance is that she sings it as though she is elderly. I haven't seen the movie, however her timber and phrasing make this song sadder and deeper than it already is.

[@joesmith942]

The movement on the stage is utterly brilliant, and ironically you nearly got the point. Yes, she is old and can barely move. A few uneven steps, along with her costume, gets to the struggle between her interntal life of still living her days in the sun and her current reality of living as a discard in the moonlight. The other thing I think you're missing how this reflects back to Rhapsody on a Windy Night. The movement fits that very well. At least Ithink it does.

[@annabellep903]

I’ve known the Elaine Paige version for years and it’s beautiful. I adore Jhuds voice, but I really find the way she cuts every phrase off and doesn’t let it resonate, especially at the start really frustrating - she can phrase and sustain it so well, I just wish she would do it more. I feel as though it’s a directors decision, as they do it in the les mis movie as well. You mentioned Bernadette Peters, please please react to some of her performances! Maybe something from Into the woods, or being alive

[@Imikiko]

So.. I didn't know Memory was a sad song.. Even while watching Elaine Paige's version, I still thought it was like about just remembering your past life with a bit of bittersweet sadness but not anything as deep as the Jennifer Hudson version displayed to me. I liked listening to Paige's version more but when the meat of the song hit in Hudson's version I cried. Thanks for the video!

[@asdffaslddfhnlasf]

If the signer is doing it right, this song is instant heave cry every time.

[@katgamet]

Jennifer Greene yes! Well, I ‘knew’ it was a sad song, but I didn’t KNOW it was a sad song. I ADORE both singers, and Ellen Page is a phenomenal singer, but so is Jennifer Hudson. Jennifer’s performance really moved me and brought me to tears. It really showcased the character more than the singing, but if she didn’t have such strength and control in her singing she wouldn’t have been able to put so MUCH emotion in and still sing gloriously.

[@holly7869]

In the context of the play, it's a freaking tear-jerker. Sort of like taking I Don't Know How to Love Him from the context of Jesus Christ Super Star.

[@hickchick112]

I’ve never seen the theater or movie version, but I cried too! Elaine Paige made me feel sadness, but JHud made me full on cry.

[@JessicaRH6]

My favourite part of this song is Jemima’s part in the first version. The actor singing that has such a beautiful voice. Gives me chills.

[@CurlyGuy]

Jennifer Hudson’s portrayal of Grizabella was everything this film needed. The emotion of her saying “look” but not feeling compelled to actually look was genius. It made me feel even tho we were physically looking at an object we could see the future she was looking to. God bless that woman and bless you for being spot on. With or without cinematography j hub reigned supreme here. Elaine was impressive too tho.😚

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Great comments here sir!

[@CurlyGuy]

Marc Daniel Patrick thank you😍 you should react to satisfied from Hamilton

[@ThistleLP]

To me, the movements in the Elaine Page performance make a lot of sense. So much of the show's choreography is to mimic the movement of Cats. Grizabella is under stress in this point of the show, she is desperate, it's her last plea to be chosen to be reborn. Cats pace when they are under stress, and the stop and turn when "A street lamp dies" hits, is the same thing a cat would do when they suddenly notice something. And when she falls, she is literally on deaths door and growing weaker and weaker and needs to push herself to that big crescendo for "Touch me" and it's just a representation of her desperate plight. At least that is my way of looking at it, and as someone who has played that roll, though in a very small local theatre.

[@lindadewlaney6629]

And as I recall, Elaine Paige actually ended up as Grizabella in the original London production because Judi Dench was injured!!!

[@annacairns]

Linda Dewlaney yep! It was her achilles that got torn I think. Because she was also dancing as another cat as well.

[@daveyg34]

Can you imagine that version. :-/

[@mediclimber]

Might as well label this song, "Property of Elaine Page". She owns it, always will.

[@sisters63]

I love them both! They have such different interpretations on that type of suffering that it makes each performance interesting and relatable in its own way.

[@hestiahar6367]

Betty Buckley's performance was so good. She actually took her mannerisms from homeless people she observed and talked to. One was an old broadway actress once too. She's exceptional at singing the "touch me" part. Literally got chills

[@surachaipannoy8725]

❤

[@hadaritm4116]

the whole point of why she falls is the amount of turmoil she feels is just dragging her down. after seeing that the cats jellicle cats still don’t accept her after that, she gives up and breaks down emotionally. when Jemima brings her back up she finally releases her feelings, her desires. she just wants to be a jellicle cat again, she wants someone to touch her, to show their acceptance for her. the reason she falls is because she gives up halfway through, she has done everything she could but that didn’t work. if Jemima hadn’t brought her back up she would have stayed there, and eventually left

[@RhiannonsRandomDay]

I grew up with and have always loved the Elain Paige version. And JHud is always an amazing performer. I think the real comparison is between what was necessary for the audience to understand based on the storytelling format. With the theatre production with Elaine, even the emotion has to be displayed differently. Even though it was recorded, it wasnt originally intended to show the subtle things that the film does, because the audience is typically further away. So she gives a stellar vocal performance. The film allows JHud to get deeper into the emotion, because you are right there with her. They are just very different, hard to compare. They also approach where the emotion hits differently. Elaine starts off more reproachful in my opinion, like she is lecturing children that youth doesnt last and it hurts. Then when someone reaches out she explodes with this hopeful sadness. JHud starts off broken and sorrowful like she had given up, and then once the other cat reaches out it's like a new but of energy and then she switched to the mor aggressive hurt. I think that the approach is super different with both, but maybe that's just me.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

No, not just you. I think that was my point through the whole video - they both approached it differently.

[@kewlbean]

Two very different performances for two totally different venues. I prefer Elaine's performance and wonderful vocals which are true to the original staged performance.

[@fishiest3539]

Jennifer Hudson's performance gives me goosebumps EVERY. TIME. This movie did everyone so dirty. Lindsay Ellis did a great video about Cats as a film, and how everything went wrong in turning a whimsical dance-tastic musical into a nightmare of the uncanny valley.

[@thomasbrennan8675]

I respect your right you your opinion, but they wasted her voice. Her movie version is boring, over done and boring.

[@hickchick112]

Thomas Brennan Maybe so, but it literally made me cry.

[@theresamccune1881]

The reason she drops on the floor shaking her head is because she can't face another day, that has just begun, as she state in the song. She performs this absolutely true.

[@cielindaq9190]

Brought tears to my eyes, why’s Jennifer so effective? Omg. Thnx for the blow by blow review, appreciate the validation of each actor’s response. You’re so perfect as well.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Thank you so much. Appreciate that.

[@novabrunick1079]

I have the same feelings about this as I do Anne Hathaways I dreamed a dream. Like yes it’s really emotionally drawing and I like that it’s so powerful in that sense but I HATE when there is so much crying that the music is almost lost. I feel like there’s an appropriate amount of emotion in Elaines version where as JHs is just very sobby sounding and for a movie that would work well but this is a musical and same with Anne Hathaway she’s literally sobbing though the whole thing that the quality of the music suffers IMO. It’s super powerful and emotional but I want to hear the song more. A

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Hey fair enough. Some ppl expect different things out of each performance. I get that.

[@elizabethsaltmarsh8306]

I really loved Jennifer's version of Memory, but I didn't love the choice to have her actually cry. This is a move Tom Hooper clearly thinks is effective, and maybe it works for other people, but I wish she had a little bit more of the control at the end that not having your throat coated in mucus gives (thank you Sideways for that analogy). I believe you can give just as stirring a performance of pain and anger at a lifetime of abuse WITHOUT crying, and as proof I submit "I Know Where I've Been", also by Jennifer Hudson, in the live version of Hairspray. That one got me a little bit more, and I think it's because she wasn't being asked to go to the extreme end of the spectrum on her emoting to the point that it hindered her vocal ability. That said, she can clearly deliver both emotion and beautiful music in a variety of ways and she's a fantastic performer so this is absolutely nitpicking on my part. Give this woman her EGOT already!

[@paolamiano]

can't help but love elaine's version since this is the one i grew up on and obsessed over

[@montrealderogatory]

My interpretation: The weaknesses in J. Hud's performance is the fault of the director. I would like to say I love Jennifer's performance, it's so vulnerable and powerful, but it could have been better if the director understood anything about vocals. Jennifer's performance in the movie was powerful and beautiful, but the medium of film (particularly Tom Hooper's style of musicals) does her a huge injustice. Tom Hooper is a huge believer in vocals for the songs being performed live on the sound stage. The reason why this doesn't work is because stage acting and film acting are completely different: onstage (due to the distance between the audience and stage) you can act like you're crying without actually crying. On film, the use of close ups doesn't make this possible; if you're gonna cry, you gotta have those tears streaming. Crying increases mucus production in your resonant areas, not to mention the way you breathe when crying is not conducive to singing. By Tom Hooper recording the vocals on the sound stage, rather than through a playback, it leads to a lot of problems. A day full of filming gives no rest to the singer's voices, and crying severely reduces vocal quality. Anne Hathaway was the first victim and example of this. Her "I Dreamed A Dream" was powerful and moving, but not pretty or arguably well sung (compared to what she could have done in a playback). This no fault of the actress (I liked her performance actually), it's the fault of the director. You can tell she's struggling. The exact same thing happened to Jennifer Hudson. I loved her performance, but I wish she had the opportunity of a playback, so she wouldn't have to worry about crying so much.

[@paddylundquist1088]

I'll never forgive Hooper for ruining Les Mis with Russel Crowe. RUINED.

[@chanjcm]

That was also the style back then... the singing of pieces beautifully to the very back row... Elaine’s version is classic. Moves me every time. I’ve been watching more of your videos and have enjoyed your reviews. However, for this one, I find your critiques of Elaine Paige’s version to be anachronistic. Stage musical of its day was performed that way. And, it’s very (!!) different than movie musical.

[@DarkShani]

Maybe the fact paige fall down bother you because you don't see her as a cat 😅 ! She is sad and tired so she goes to the floor and rolls into a ball , and reacting to a new voice as a cat : raising her head ! Nice video 😊

[@heatherm8736]

Lovely seeing his facial expressions as he is overwhelmed by it

[@silversnackan7037]

No one can top Betty Buckley's version for me. I saw her performance at the Tony's on KZbin and I found myself crying when she hit the climax. It was sooo good.

[@katgamet]

SilverSnäckan I’ll have to watch that. Betty Buckley is an incredible talent.

[@s.j.johnson1961]

Agree! She’s amazing ❤️

[@PastaBakeMilkShake]

She was astounding. Her belt stopped me in my tracks.

[@kojoyamoah414]

Exactly

[@MrKaelas]

I think you hit the nail on the head with Jennifer Hudson's version. I think she communicates the frustration and anger very well when she's singing the touch me part. She just screaming at them "It would be so easy just to reach out and accept me, but it's easier to turn away, but please don't anymore." And I feel like that long look from Deuteronomy isn't like "finally acceptance" but more like pure sympathy/empathy. Like "I know how you feel, but I can't make the group accept you, they have to do that and I hope they do." Also, don't get me wrong Elaine Paige KILLS it. She is wonderful, but I feel like Hudson doesn't get the credit she deserves for also doing a wonderful, if very different, job.

[@rosekat2756]

I think meeting somewhere in the middle would make me happiest. I feel like the west polish of Elaine page at the beginning where she is still is sort of putting on her show , reliving her glamour days and then just breaking down and letting her pain and brokenness out like Jennifer did at the end and all the cats finally paying attention to her because she moved them.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Fair enough. Middle ground between the two wouldnt be all that bad.

[@RebeccaOCD]

As a classically trained singer, I personally think that Elaine Paige's version is more controlled and her breath control is better . Jennifer Hudson phrases in a (as another person said "choppy" manner) and she pauses in odd places in relation to the music which seems to indicate a disconnect between her thoughts and what she is singing. In terms of voice control Elaine Paige is just superior. Nothing against Jennifer Hudson but she seemed to sound strangled with her rendition almost as though the key was too difficult for her. And most of the high notes were shouted and jarring. Please don't leave hate comments, just my opinion. I know there are many Jennifer Hudson fans and we are all allowed our opinions ;)

[@BlazeDupree1525]

I love Elaine Page her version is so painfully beautiful and it always gives me chills. Every time I hear it I can't help but feel her pain as if it was my own.

[@markkerr3671]

Elaine defined this role .

[@Githerax]

I saw how you wanted to pause to make a comment at about 10:06, but couldn't bring yourself to do it out of respect. I feel that. My personal problem with Jennifer Hudson's take is how much emotional energy she's sustaining throughout. Old folks get tired, even in sadness, and Grizabella is old. It reminds me of when I saw Andre Braugher in 'Henry V' in 1996; it was great and fun, but it he was so constantly energetic that I was tired out watching it, as though I had been performing it myself. Compare it with Branagh's Henry in his movie; his quiet reactions to when the messenger recited the Dauphin's message, and to his discovery of the betrayers were more loaded for me than a tantrum would be.

[@georgen9838]

This is EXACTLY right. I feel like one of the more fascinating things about seeing different versions of the stage play is the contrast between how younger and older performers take this song. JHud is angry, and feels alone and isolated, and that makes sense for her. But I like Elaine Page's better, because I find it much more heart-rending: she can still be angry when she thinks of what time has made of her now, but she's been angry and alone and isolated for *decades* at this point -- she hopes for better, but knows what to expect. She's not angry -- she's *tired*. I see the falling-down bit in the same way too; she's been hoping for some sort of kindness and affection for so long, and she's so tired, and she's just *done*. It's not a hard stretch at all to see that collapse as nearly being the exhausted resignation to dying alone, with no love and no human (yeah, "feline," suuure) connection -- a cat dying on the street, as opposed to holding on to a happiness that, shared with others, they echo too and having that be her way out of this world. *That's* heartbreaking.

[@stradavarius1988]

Ok...so the recent movie interprets (really extrapolates) a very different narrative than the stage version. Ultimately, Grizabella is a wholly different character in both versions and thus requires wholly different interpretations. Paige: the dejected "has-been" or former "belle". Hudson: the exiled "traitor" seeking forgiveness. You can hear pleading from Paige, and spite in Hudson. I think you resonate more closely to which character meets you or which version of the story you prefer rather than which interpretation you find more genuine. They are genuine for different reasons. Though can anyone explain to me how the final line "Look, a new day has begun," makes sense in Hudson's character? It seems like she is inserting an emotion that the lyric is not inferring.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

They way the film is edited, in my opinion Jhuds "look" is in reference to the expression on Judy Dench's face...As if shes finally received acceptance or forgiveness (in your interpretation).

[@paolamiano]

when he said "this is so beautiful" right when mr.mistofolees comes out..i was like yes, yes he is.

[@mjrotondi5086]

When Grizabel paces, it invokes her lonely despair. I think it's wonderful .

[@chrisenglert3958]

I could have done without the second reaction. In my opinion it is a slap in the face to the original performance we have come to love.

[@jer9grant]

I actually wish you reacted to JHud's live performance of this song where she's just standing there, holding a mic. She still has more control than the stage version, but in the movie, there was just so many things mucking things up; the live version of JHud performing is what hit me the hardest.

[@MichaelMcMahon1969]

Having only read the last comment posted, by @someguyonLI, I concur with his comment. Having owned more than 20 cats in my lifetime, when a feline is very close to death, they limp, stagger, stumble and fall a lot. That was the purpose of the limp and the fall. Grizzabella was at the end of her Jellicle life, and still being rejected by the rest of the Jellicles, so in my interpretation she just was laying down to allow death to take her. That was until, depending on the version, the other picks up the song, and Grizzabella realizes that another of the Family is paying attention to her. IMHO, do not slaughter an excellent musical theatre production, by trying to make it into a studio made movie, as the 1998 theatre based movie is by far the best version, although J.H. get a praise from me, for like Elaine Paige, the raw emotional belting of the apex of the song. I had wanted to see CATS ssince it first opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway in 1982, and finally got the chance to go recently to an off Broadway version, I will forever choose Going to the Theatre over the Theater! Thank you for posting this as I watched it 3 times in a row to pick up more and more about what you were saying, and I agree with the video.

[@tiffnickk]

ELAINE PAIGE- although i do love Jhud's rawness. I really don't love the way they played the end of the movie version of this song though, I don't think Grizabella knows everyone is watching her. She's going through her memories and emotions on her own and we have a window into her nightly drowning of sorrows. Her strange obsession with the dawn is more a testament to her mental fragility and hope that somehow tomorrow will be better. She is the much sadder version of Gus, not all there and yet not gone. And yet instead of being taken care of and humored, she is left alone. Having a captive audience the whole way through (instead of gradually like in the pro shot) actually undermines the song in my opinion. But Jennifer is so obviously talented and her acting chops are solid too. I just think the director's interpritation is off in the film.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Thanks for the comments Tiffany. I think there are different ways to play any scene/show. The basic premise of CATS comes down to these felines coming together once a year to decide who will be the chosen one. Each cat tells their story and almost 'auditions' as to why they should be the chosen cat. Under that basic plot premises alone - Grizabella would know very well that the cats are watching her, as this is her chance to plead with them for the chance to be 're-born'. I don't disagree that some cats should shun her and turn away, but how this is done in the film is not at all a mis-interpretation on Tom's part.

[@johnputnam3228]

It’s soooooo important to NOT breathe during “Touch me it’s so easy to leave me” many singers breathe after “me” and it ruins it

[@katiebuerk6913]

I think that Elaine sing with emotion when Jennifer sings with Belts. I prefer Elaine’s because it was so emotional

[@darkiee69]

Fun fact: The woman singing Jemima (Sillabub in the US) part in the 1998 version isn't the one you see. You see Veerle Casteleyn but you hear Helen Massey. The producers felt that Veerle had to much of an accent. And WTF?? Did they do a way with Jemima in the movie and have Victoria sing her part? 😮

[@lynno7423]

I love Elaine vocals they’re iconic. But Jhuds brought tears to my eyes

[@tyesativa]

you should have reviewed the version of Memory when J Hud sang it live. it's on KZbin and 1000x better than the movie's studio version. btw cats don't drop to their knees they slink to the side, that's why it keeps happening

[@Luthien41982]

I love Elaine Page, hers was the first version that I saw, her voice is so beautiful and she plays this so well. To me Jennifer Hudson feels a little overdone. However, my absolute favourite version of this song is Betty Buckley's on Broadway. She's truly spectacular.

[@timcoching6118]

Same! Betty Buckley's version is the best for me, breathtaking.

[@BlankJohnA]

A little overdone? It's horribly over the top. What ever happened to 'less is more'?

[@Yumichan62]

@@BlankJohnA Thats how you see it. Some people like it calmer and less emotional. They just prefer less in general. Wich is ok. But some people like more emotional, strong versions. Both are fine, really. No need to bash a version just because its different from what you like.

[@BlankJohnA]

shyress I agree tastes differ. I guess what I think is that in musical theatre, or cinema, the singer should be subservient to the song and should deliver the best version she can. To my ears, Jennifer Hudson takes the song by the scruff of the neck and gives it a thorough going over. It suffers under all the techniques she brings to it. If that’s your thing, it’s fine. I could suggest bother examples I’m sure you’d also disagree with; my pet hate is Liza Minnelli in Cabaret. I know it puts me in the minority (she won the Oscar after all)

[@Yumichan62]

@@BlankJohnA I mean thats totally fine. I am not a fan of Jennifer Hudsons version either but that doesnt mean her version is bad just because it isnt my taste. My favourite version of memory is from Laura Emmit. But alot of people prefer other versions and thats just how it is :) Sometimes we like a style and sometimes we dont.

[@mstie3252]

I love them both, to be honest. If I had to pick one, I'd go with Jennifer Hudson. Her devastation and anger and resilience is so strong. So I'd say I connect with Grizabella and her story, her situation, a lot more in J Hud's interpretation.

[@paramitch]

Beautiful comparison, Marc! And I was so pleased it was so respectful to both versions, whether or not both are artistically successful (MOVIE CATS I'M LOOKING AT YOU -- I mean, WHY does H-Hud have a furry chest AND a fur coat? These are the questions of the universe...). But this was a very kind yet insightful, critical analysis. And I'll be honest -- I hadn't seen Jennifer's version. I love her, and she's so talented, but sometimes she oversings/overacts depending on director, so I was sort of dreading her version of "Memory," wrongly assuming she would chew all the scenery in sight. Instead, while this version of CATS truly looks terrible and painful (the character design, why God why), her actual performance of the song is just gorgeous. It's changeful, emotional, tender and fierce, really beautiful. I so appreciate being able to appreciate it on its own, as here.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Thank you so much for this. I'm thinking of taking a look at the entire film version...we'll see. Haha.

[@paramitch]

@@MarcDanielPatrick Er, good luck? (Sending all the virtual wine, LOL)

[@RobertDeMartin]

Marc, you're very tricky. Your comment early on about not caring about the Show and being there only to hear the diva sing Memory was right on even though you (tongue in cheek) apologized for that remark. Anyway, your criticism about Elaine's movement was strange. It if bothered you so much, buy a record and listen to it. If you can't understand when Elaine struggled to get up to sing "the moment" and the audience urged her to get up with all their emotional strength, you just didn't get it. She just couldn't stand there and sing. The movement of the Cats were dictating the entire movement of the Show. For goodness sake, when I went to see Cats I sat near the front and the empty seat which was next to me (which I thought was broken and under repair) I soon found out it was for a Cat who suddenly showed up and then shot up to the stage a few moments later! Jennifer Hudson? Not believable. Too much Jennifer Hudson and because of that she didn't touch me. Elaine? Let's put it this way. When Memory started goosebumps/chills took over my entire body. Tears started rolling down my cheeks as she neared 'the moment' . I was with three other people and all of us sat frozen in our seats, paralyzed by the sound of her voice. We dare not raise our hand up to brush away the tears rolling down our cheeks! That would be disrespectful!!!!!! Elaine was the character. I felt so bad for her. So bad. So sorry. You know, Marc, the Show on Broadway (which ran 'forever') was unique in another sense. During the intermission the audience was encouraged to go onto the stage and check out the set. Crazy. Crazy fun. Anyway, where's the ballot box? I cast my vote for the diva of musical theater, the G.O.A.T. (yes Barbra, I love you and always will), Elaine Paige. When you look at her other performances you realize how absolutely wonderful she is.

[@sabrinaloizides-merideth9874]

Cats has the distinction of being the last film I saw in a theater. I took my daughter to see it because she loves musicals and she's seen the Elaine Paige version on DVD. I really enjoyed the film but I have to say Jennifer Hudson knocked this out of the park for me. I loved her interpretation and she was definitely one of the reasons I wanted to see the film at all. I watched no reviews of the movie but I knew it was getting bad press. My co-workers thought I was crazy for wanting to pay money to see it but I really enjoyed myself. I was expecting so much more of a trainwreck than what I got. They picked wonderful performers for the music and I think that carried it for me. Definitely prefer Jennifer Hudson.

[@amybaker3551]

Same!

[@csh]

Agreed!!!👍🏼

[@jjjjssss6368]

Love Elaine’s version. Nicole Scherzinger also has a very powerful version of this

[@skylarktsuki]

Lifelong fan of Elaine Paige and I absolutely loved her version, but I have to say that I love the raw emotion that JHUD is serving. She has the golden voice and an amazing interpretation ❤️🤩

[@Makeji]

Jennifer Hudson is absolutely marvelous in this version. Never heard it before. My heart actually "wrenched" before the tears started. So happy I stopped by. Loved Elaine as well - Betty Buckley, too. Jennifer, however, brought something new to the song for me. Judy Dench is always perfect!

[@luispineda9255]

I really think you cant compare both of these performances. Elaine is a Musical Theater professional and understands people go see a musical for the vocals. J Hud is a singer but not a Theater professional, so she belts the performance. Elaine's performance is the best out of both. In my opinion.

[@GeoStrum3]

This song always makes me feel emotional. Yes it’s one of those that can make me cry .

[@eileenhernandez6676]

The first vocalist, so captivatingly beautiful. The flow of her performance is perfection. It so seamlessly goes from one moment to the next & you just hold your breath anticipating what's coming next! It's a delicious feast for your soul that has now been fed! JD, I love her, she's more outwardly animated. I found the makeup & costume was a deterrent for me, I had a little trouble ignoring it. It seemed a little too, alley cat, lol. I like Persian cats & her fur just isn't long enough.😢Her voice/face, so powerful & expressive she even let loose a couple of cat screams, loved that! Both women gave me chills!!! Glorious! I enjoyed watching your love for music, it added to my watching them perform.

[@nanceemoes7995]

"There's a very big difference between playing the song out to the audience and playing it internally for the audience." PREACH.

[@StrmgrXL]

I would love to see your critique of “I dreamed a Dream” performances from Les Mis where you watch Ruthie Henshell from the 10 year aniversay dream cast performance and Anne Hathaways performance in the movie version since they’re both performed perfectly for their specific settings

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Mmm. Interesting, I like that.

[@awarcup]

How this would make my Ruthie Henshall aficionado heart swell!

[@RoseCoat-ui9gh]

I could listen to this song all day. Its so beautiful. ❤

[@suhseal]

Jennifer Hudson's growl on the "all ALONE" is SO GOOD. And the way she immediately takes the dynamic back down after "the sun"... into "if you touch me" to make it more internal and painful....woooo... what a journey

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

A journey indeed.

[@debbierhodes4479]

I loved both versions but wow, it was like two completely different songs! One being totally classic and the other more dramatic. Nice!

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Absolutely.

[@tonk82]

Yes, Grizabella falls down... but there's a reason. She's been looking for support from the every beginning. She tried to ding the song before in the show, and ended up failing, nobody was there (except old deteuronomy that reaches out to her) and she can't find in herself the will to continue. In this scene she is really trying, with all the cats don't even looking at her... that moment she falters, she thinks all she did was for nothing and just surrenders... that's when jemima support come in, and she realizes that she has a change, some cats are supporting her.

[@melissadean7267]

Hudson murdered this song. Thank God for Elaine Page 💕💕

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

haha harsh

[@mymthegreyful]

I resisted watching Hudson's performance until you posted this. Thank you . She 100% convinced me that this is a very old cat on her very last life.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Can I convince you to watch the entire film now?? Haha

[@mymthegreyful]

@@MarcDanielPatrick haaa ha....yeah; NO.

[@LeinVerheij]

I always get chills and tears in my eyes when Elaine Page rises off the ground. The music and her singing just swallow you up and squeeze your heart. Jennifer Hudson's version really doesn't.

[@artysplash5969]

Yeah. Hud's version is just empty and shallow. You really have to have a "talent" to ruin so much SUCH masterpiece... But somehow Director and Hudson did managed... 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[@bienvillestampingstephanie9862]

I hadn’t seen the Jennifer Hudson version before. I had seen Elaine Page though. I found Jennifer’s more heartbreaking

[@joesmith942]

The character is abandoned by the community, and there are two reactions to this. Elaine Page is sad. Jennifer Hudson is angry. I find sadness a deeper pull, but to each his own.

[@timbaumann9046]

I have a funny feeling that you have NEVER really studied cats much have you? Cats, NO MATTER HOW DAMN OLD THEY GET... THEY NEVER LET YOU SEE THEM "BLEED"... EVER!!! Elaine KNOWS THIS!!! That is WHY no matter how much "she" (the cat she is portraying) WON'T LET THE OTHER CATS SEE HER IN PAIN... even tho she is inside DYING!!! And RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM ALL!!! Next time you hear this song REMEMBER what I've said here... I'm on my TWELFTH CAT and EVERY ONE OF MY LITTLE FRIENDS WERE ALL THE SAME WHEN IT CAME TO THIS ONE FACT THAT I'VE NOW TOLD YOU... THEY NEVER LET YOU SEE THEM BLEED!!!

[@sherwilliams4464]

BRAVO … and with my heartfelt appreciation, deepest gratitude, and with sincere thankfulness on a truly magnificent performance, that brings tears to the heart, and joy to the soul! Dear Ladies, you are each brilliant, inspiring, amazing, and talented women, who are Beautiful, as well as Extremely Gifted!! …Elaine, and Jennifer, you are both GOD-given gifts to Mankind. Glory to GOD, always and forever. amen … We, Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts ❣️🙏 ❤