South Pacific (2001) (Musical Hell Review

[@Rhysdux]

In that last scene with Emile, Glenn Close smiles as if her grandmother just gave her socks for her birthday. It's a very polite smile, but there's no affection or passion in it.

[@DemiSemme]

There should probably just be a designated job for any and all filmed musicals to be there like "this is a musical. It's already stylized. Embrace it. And if I see a speck of gritty realism, everything goes on timeout."

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

I know right? That's one of many things I learned about in my college Movies class. Musicals are *meant* to be stylized and separate from reality, it's part of what makes them so engaging and diverse, so any attempt to go against that completely erases their point & intention. 😒

[@gamestation2690]

That's exactly why Cats failed. Because of Tom Hooper's decision to add realism to a fantastical work like Cats, everything about it dove headfirst into the uncanny valley.

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

@@gamestation2690 Funny, I was just thinking of that movie earlier (in a way not related to this video) and I think we can *all* agree that no one truly knows what was going through Hooper's mind when he made Cats the way he did. Another one of life's greatest mysteries.

[@Dreigonix]

In the immortal words of Tuomas Holopainen: CARELESS👏REALISM👏COSTS👏SOULS👏

[@Eviltwin531]

It's kinda ridiculous. There is a market for idealism and optimistic works, but everything has to be "serious" now.

[@Eviltwin531]

"... condemned to read the entire Fifty Shades Trilogy..." Wow, this movie REALLY made you angry, didn't it? I mean, I get it, "demon" and all that, but dang.

[@kenthuang436]

Could have been worse. Diva could have made the punishment to be a perpetual cycle of being forced to listen to Gilbert Gottfried reading the entire Twilight saga for eternity.

[@jeremyusreevu237]

Or she could have gotten them to read Frank Miller's holy Terror

[@Eviltwin531]

@@kenthuang436 That could almost loop back to "so bad, it's good."

[@UchaNekome]

A fate worse than death. v_v

[@Rabbitlord108]

At least she didn't say "In both book & film form". That was so painful for one Dominic Noble that I swear it's left him permanently traumatized.

[@Ticket2theMoon]

I would love a scene that revealed that Bloody Mary's pidgin English is an act. She's playing into the soldiers' expectations, the better to wheel and deal.

[@timothymclean]

The sort of thing where she pretends to be everything they expect her to be-demure, honor-bound, incompetent, etc-and they let their guard down to her actual plans? I like the idea.

[@georgeray1906]

​@@timothymcleanMe too.

[@Multifandom_mess12]

See that’s a good modernization/update of a character

[@ThePa1riot]

4:54 I have not seen a song about soldiers playfully pining over women capped off with such a single horrifying note like that since Mulan.

[@Arkelk2010]

Certainly a sing and scene killer. Very UNsatisfying.

[@fanofmusicals]

I think a Know the Score on all three versions of the R+H Cinderella would make a good video. Also, I love how you managed to work a reference to Sunset Boulevard in a video about a movie with Glenn Close. Very clever.

[@rockisheaven]

Yes!! I just rewatched the Brandy version and was surprised how well it holds up.

[@jessica23claire]

the history of R&H's Cinderella is more interesting than the musical itself, so I'm seconding this

[@Crazyivan777]

That passionate... HAND HOLDING! At the end! Swoon!

[@jamiehood850]

I actually wrote an essay on South Pacific for my history class last year. It's an interesting one, and examining how the show's original production and some of the stereotypes it contains were influenced by post World War II racism was a wild ride. I haven't ever seen this movie, but it will be interesting to hear about how it differs from the original musical

[@xaviotesharris891]

See the original movie before this travesty, please.

[@trinaq]

Glenn Close can usually do no wrong, but there's an exception to everything, I suppose!

[@gabrielleporter553]

I think no matter how hard an actor tries, nothing can save them from a poor miscast

[@jenniferh3587]

As long as she got a nice payday or vacation... I'm happy for her.

[@colleen4ever]

You can say the same thing about Ethel Merman in the next review!!

[@strongrex2615]

She was just too old for the part and she looked it.

[@dunes8817]

Gotta love that Papyrus font on the title.

[@TommyDeonauthsArchives]

Glenn Close acting like a young naive woman is reminding me of Meryl Streep in Mama Mia (2008)... and that's not a good thing.

[@MeganKoumori]

At least Meryl Streep played Donna and not Sophie.

[@pcbassoon3892]

@@MeganKoumori Donna was still only supposed to be 40. They explain it over and over again.

[@PassTheMarmalade1957]

I rolled my eyes so hard when this movie decided to have Cable get beaten up so that he can look more like a victim of racist attitudes and not just someone who has them.

[@MelanieNLee]

Actually, if I remember correctly, that scene with Cable getting beaten up is in the source material, the short story "Fo' Dolla" from the collection Tales from the South Pacific by James Michener. In fact, Diva, this could make a good Know the Source. The musical is based on two or three short stories from the book, and the characters recur here and there in different stories. Oh, and the book itself won the Pulitzer.

[@MelanieNLee]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_South_Pacific

[@jenniferschillig3768]

@@MelanieNLee I noticed the same thing...that this version tried to filter in more stuff from the source material. But there's a reason adaptations don't always include everything from the source...they don't always work with the angle the adaptation's giving. Diva has a point in that this scene just doesn't seem to work in the context of the show as written.

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

Time to wash this musical remake right out of our hair and send it on its way.

[@xaviotesharris891]

Thank you, I got the picture! *scurries off to laugh at his own comics and root for his team*

[@jessica23claire]

In addition, I'm going to wave it right out of my arms.

[@strawberrylime33]

😆😁🤣🤣

[@rockisheaven]

I thought Bloody Mary looked familiar and then it hit me-she plays Awkwafina’s grandma on Nora from Queens! She’s one of the best things about that show and it seems like she’s one of the few good points here.

[@TheNicoleRoo]

She is also in Orange is the New Black! I had to look her IMDB up to be sure, but it's her!

[@TheApoohneicie]

I was having an all out panic attack from pain and lack of sleep. I started watching (and rewatching) your videos. It has helped me so much I cannot even express it properly. Your voice is so soothing and you are so funny. Just, thank you!

[@MusicalHell]

Glad I could help! Panic attacks are the worst and I hope you're feeling better.

[@TheApoohneicie]

@@MusicalHell Much better thank you! Have a fantastic day.🙂

[@iPikastars]

I saw a version of this with Reba McIntyre playing Nellie and she actually pulled it off beautifully. It aired on channel 13 (I had no cable) and the actor who played Emile had a beautiful voice. To this day I’ve never seen it again but it always sticks with me

[@allisonbergh4429]

That was the staged concert version with Alec Baldwin! I don’t particularly care for this show, but that version was super fun!!

[@iPikastars]

@@allisonbergh4429 I don’t even remember Alec Baldwin being in it! then again I was a very young theatre kid back then

[@MusicalHell]

Emile was Brian Stokes Mitchell, whose magnificent voice I was longing for throughout this video.

[@iPikastars]

@@MusicalHell His voice was beautiful, I think 8 or 9 year old me fell in love with Emile that whole time based purely on his voice and acting.

[@MelanieNLee]

FYI, Alec Baldwin played Luther Billis, and quite well, too.

[@cutiepuppy4427]

I guess you can say this adaptation was... Glenn Close, but no cigar. 12:27 Also, yeah. I miss Brian Stokes Mitchell.

[@merrittanimation7721]

Ba dum tssh

[@TommyDeonauthsArchives]

Please see yourself out...

[@mcwyman7928]

Get outta here with that H&M bullshit!

[@jenniferschillig3768]

So glad Diva brought him up. One Sunday in May 2006, I went to my parents' house for Sunday dinner. As soon as I got there, my mom said, "Jen, you've gotta see this concert version of South Pacific. I remember this Brian Mitchell guy from Trapper John MD and I never knew he could sing like this!" I replied, "Mom, that's Brian Stokes Mitchell and you BET he can sing!"

[@cutiepuppy4427]

@@mcwyman7928 I appreciate the reference.

[@oddbobproductions781]

Even though I didn't find the original musical very interesting, I always thought it was one of the many Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals that went beyond the time period to include characters of different ethnicities and give them character development and leading roles in musicals. It wouldn't be completely politically correct today, but for the time period (40s and 50s), it was quite progressive and helped shape musical theater into an inclusive, diverse environment

[@jenniferschillig3768]

I'd love to see you do an At The Source for James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific.

[@bizarroguy6570]

10:03 it sounds like he’s trying to channels Cary Elwes’s Robin Hood when he sang “The Night is Young” but didn’t realize that was for comedy and then just gave up half away in the song.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

This was one of the few musicals that I seen where I actually said, “no not another song” and this is someone who loves movie musicals and broadway.

[@MediaLover194]

In my mind, the PBS Live from Lincoln Center broadcast of the revival is the definitive filmed version of the musical.

[@eatatjoe]

Glenn worked as Cruella. This? Yikes. Also, going native is slang for getting too friendly with the native people and assimilating with them over the people you originally came with. Or something.

[@SpamEggSausage]

I didn't think she worked as Cruella either. Joanna Lumley as Patsy would have worked better.

[@Sandlot1992]

Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July is next?! my thoughts: this is gonna be good!

[@colleen4ever]

GOOD?! This is gonna be bloody great!! I been waiting for this!

[@Stu228]

Christmas in July seems early, for a holly holiday...

[@colleen4ever]

@@Stu228 Well, Christmas in JULY, next month IS July. It pretty much fits.

[@Stu228]

@@colleen4ever Those are literally the lyrics to the song Ethel Merman sings in the special lol

[@seanhorace925]

I'm not sure how to feel about this next review.

[@grodriguez7225]

Thank you Diva for saving us the trouble of sitting through this train-wreck alone Can’t wait to see the next video‼️

[@Curtiz2008]

Biggest problem, Nellie is supposed to be younger than Emil. It could work on stage, but not on film. And Pastorelli was no Ray Walston.

[@xaviotesharris891]

Yeah, Pastorelli was just a loud-mouth asshole on the hustle, as opposed to Walston's loud-mouth asshole on the hustle with a heart of gold.

[@Rmlohner]

The sad thing is, I could easily see Rade Serbedzija being able to give a great performance as this kind of character in a non-musical (just check him out in a kind of similar role in Downton Abbey). But ask him to sing, and that all goes away.

[@mimkyodar]

No sin for the unironic use of Papyrus in the opening titles? Or is that low hanging fruit for a film 20 years old?

[@colleen4ever]

RUDOLPH AND FROSTY?! YES YES YES YES YES YES AND MILLION TIMES YES!!!!! I've been WAITING for you to review that turkey!! I mean I was so excited to see a Frosty and Rudolph cross-over, but this thing made no sense, the puppet Frosty is creepy, and I hope you're gonna mention how Rudolph isn't a child when he pulled Santa's sleigh, but here he;s still a child!! what the hell?! And this is gonna come after the 4th. One of my favorite holidays! You're gonna make my summer!!

[@thomashuffman3237]

Hey, Diva! Think you can put Little Mermaid III: Ariel's Beginning on the chopping block?

[@colleen4ever]

Or better, Little Mermaid 2.0!! Otherwise known as the sequel

[@thomashuffman3237]

@@colleen4ever trust me, Return to the Sea was nowhere NEAR as bad as Ariel's Beginning! The only good things about it were the animation, Jodi Benson, and Samuel E Wright. The worst thing about it was how unlikable Triton was.

[@masterseal0418]

@@thomashuffman3237 Count me in!

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@thomashuffman3237 I feel the entire Disney Mermaid line was a huge disservice to Hans Christian Andersen’s original story.

[@laurabeane8862]

"Going Native" is slang in The Service if one gets too friendly with the civilians

[@cjhedrick6418]

Oh, NOW I remember this! I remembered when I was a kid and heard the phrase "AIn't that too damn bad" sung in passing at my house, and never learned where it came from.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

Songs like this and "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" were my big excuse to say "damn" as a kid.

[@GAshoneybear]

The KKK bullies (or any extreme POV) is always a pet peeve of mine. Media of this nature only lands when the characters are subtle because it makes the audience uncomfortable since they are relatable. None of the people I know who watched this saw Nellie or Cable as racist. Just the ones who beat up Cable were racist.

[@drewbear1969]

"...it is practically impossible to make Glenn Close look anything but poised and sophisticated." Well that's one place where the _Warcraft_ movie succeeded (it's a guilty pleasure for me, but wow was she out of place) I completely missed that this version happened, and after seeing that it mainly has mixed reviews, I can tell from the clips here that it's not something I'd enjoy much. This musical's always been special to me because our high school did it my senior year. Not only was it the first time I ever got a lead part (mainly because nobody else wanted to play Emile), it was a small town and most of us had known each other since at least kindergarten. In fact the girl who played Nellie used to pick on me a lot when we were younger, we were past all that by then but it was still awkward to be making out on stage 😄 And although it was 100% a low budget high school production, I was always really proud of how hard I worked on getting the accent right, and belting out the end of "Some Enchanted Evening" in a comfortable key while doing the falsetto for the reprise just as well.

[@elizabetheowynbelle]

8:25: Good lord, I've seen burnt-out candle stumps that produced more sparks. 16:44: "But that's not enough for this movie, oh no... it wants JUSTIFICATION." You just flawlessly summed up everything I hate about the Disney live-action remakes. The only thing this production did right was eliminate the song "Happy Talk". "Happy Talk" is a crime against humanity.

[@unagotaenelmar]

I love your station. You have given me the ability to have a greater appreciation for great music and musicals. Thank you (even though you're the 😈❣️)

[@karrihart1]

Since you're on the Disney/ABC musical adaptations, can you please, please rip apart the 2005 Once Upon A Mattress?

[@colleen4ever]

Never saw it, was it really bad?

[@jeremyusreevu237]

"It's practically impossible to make Glenn Close anything other than poised and sophisticated" The live-action 101 Dalmatians movie begs to differ.

[@eamonndeane587]

Don't forget Fatal Attraction.

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

The location and look of the film reminds me of the 1997 film adaptation of McHale's Navy.

[@d4peters86]

To paraphrase Tom Jones: 🎵It’s not an usual for an adaptation to fail🎵

[@josephrowe849]

About Liat: 🎵She's a Lady. Whoa whoa whoa, She's a Lady. Talkin' about that little lady, And the lady is mine.🎵

[@laurena9563]

One thing I did love about Emile in the 1958 adaptation, even when I was seeing the musical for the first time as a kid, was that he seemed like a MAN™. Even though he was a sensitive widower, he could still get crap done and lean slightly into that escapist feeling South Pacific gives of finding love on the brink of a horrible war, and how momentarily it feels that Emile can protect Nellie from that destruction, even though he obviously can't. This adaptation, it just seems Emile is just full sad/sensitive widower, without any of that "last dying embers" passion behind his performance.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

The only problem I've ever had with the show: the fact that Emile's all gung-ho to go on this dangerous mission once Nellie dumps him because he's supposedly got nothing to live for anymore. Nothing to live for...except TWO LITTLE KIDS WHO'VE ALREADY LOST ONE PARENT.

[@laurena9563]

@@jenniferschillig3768 Totally! That totally went over my head as a kid, but revisiting South Pacific as a fully fledged adult, where did Emile even plan to have those kids taken to if he passed away? He didn't even consider them? Still a relic of the times, yeesh!

[@colleen4ever]

@@jenniferschillig3768 That's how I felt when Amidala died in Revenge of the Sith! She gave up the will to live?! HER?! The one who was a strong fierce, unstoppable Queen of Action in the first two movies now has NOTHING TO LIVE FOR BECAUSE OF WHAT HER HUSBAND DID?! DID YOU FORGET YOU'RE LITERALLY CARRYING TWO GOOD REASONS TO LIVE?!

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

Okay now I kinda want to hear Diva's take on the Brandy Cinderella...don't hate me I'm just curious.

[@DemiSemme]

Why would it be sent to this court, it's literally the best Cinderella EVER.

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

@@DemiSemme Not for Musical Hell but maybe just to break down the score or the film's background, if she hasn't already that is. I've honestly never seen it for myself but I've heard almost nothing but great things about it. Closest I got was an examination of Brandy's ballgown by ModernGurlz for her 10 Cinderella Dresses ranking video. 😆💙 And thank you for you response, I love your work by the way! (Particularly on Christine Daae & Beauty and the Beast). 🥰

[@evandangel8173]

Yeah Brandy's Cinderella really doesn't belong in Diva's court, but Julie Andrews' version is a little boring if Diva wanted to give it a shot

[@colleen4ever]

Ir how about that new woke version of Cinderella that just came out on Amazon...or is it Netflex? Diva would have a FIELD DAY with it!

[@DemiSemme]

@@colleen4ever Okay, i really think you should reconsider your terminology and maybe replace 'woke' with 'girlboss,' because let's be real, that's what they're really selling.

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

Funny you talk about Glenn Close in South Pacific following the release of Cruella...😉.

[@Dreigonix]

Glenn Close absolutely KILLED it as Cruella in the live-action 101 Dalmatians- it still totally holds up!

[@mightyfilm]

Close was the ONLY thing good about those dire movies. She had too much fun and was far too good for them, especially the live action cheapquel. Other than her stellar acting, gimme the original animated masterpiece over those three any day. Maybe the two cartoon shows. They're pretty good.

[@gracekim1998]

@@Dreigonix OH! That’s why the name sounds familiar

[@EricMcDowellegm]

Just discovered your channel today. LOVE these reviews!

[@wrenbeck3370]

Wow, first Izzzyzzz uploads, and then a new Musical Hell? In the immortal words of the late Rick May, "Today is a good day!"

[@seanhorace925]

Any of you know that the guy who played the Bass Sergant (Simon Pryce) is now the red member of the Wiggles replacing Murray Cook.

[@demh7823]

Even when doing "Da Butt" at the Oscars, Glenn Close was classy about it.

[@giannaalbanese6180]

Just what I needed after a long tech week! Thanks Diva!

[@kelleyceccato7025]

I saw the Live from Lincoln Center airing of the revival of "South Pacific" with Kelli O'Hara as Nellie Forbush. She pretty much spoiled me for other actresses in the role. But then, that whole cast was excellent, and my memory of it only brings into sharper relief how bloody MEDIOCRE this misguided version is.

[@dunes8817]

I remember seeing posters of the Robert Goulet version and that's pretty much the only thing I'm familiar with in regards to the musical.

[@jeremyusreevu237]

Here's another sin: whenever the musical numbers try to go grand, they do a terrible job. The trumpets are way too loud, and the vocals are so boisterous and obnoxious that I can't even hear what they're saying.

[@eoghanfeighery7383]

Diva, I think a certain musical film is in need of a strong roasting in your court: Sia's Music. Racial stereotypes? Check. Sia dissing the Autism Community and having paper thin research? Check. Musical numbers that just end up being filler? Check and mate.

[@colleen4ever]

That SHOULD have won the Razzie for Worst Movie of 2020 if the founder of the Razzies wasn;t such a loudmouthed Liberal and thinks Documentaries should be in the same catagories as movies!

[@Zuyuri]

I was in a production of this in high school. After seeing this…Woof.

[@cutiepuppy4427]

Ooh! Who were you?

[@cam4636]

I saw a high school production of this in middle school, and...actually I think this was better, but that's not saying much

[@CSXIV]

In High School (specifically, 2 years before this mess came into existence), I was in a production of South Pacific (Yes, I was originally slated to play 1st Trumpet, got demoted when we hired a trumpet player and had the Drama teacher angry at me for not auditioning for Harbison or Bracket-while the trombone section was ready to let me have it if I didn't play trumpet-but still, I was in it). So seeing this-especially how the managed to ruin the songs, annoys me. This was also a production where one of the best accesses in the school did not audition, due to being tired of ending up as the leading role (and, I'll be honest: she wouldn't have made a good Nellie and I think she knew she wouldn't make a good Nellie, but would get the role on reputation alone). This was also a dueling production, since another High School in the area was ALSO doing South Pacific at the same time. This was a musical I liked enough to make as the central play in a story about a play gone wrong. Also, "should join a support group with the woman at home in 'Ms. Saigon'" had me cracking up, especially since I saw Ms. Saigon with many of the same people in that production of "South Pacific."

[@DrGregoryHouseIT]

So I guess this movie left the Pacific part out and went South pretty quickly. It's the equivalent of the Simpsons 'You Tried' cake gif.

[@joshuachristiannathanael7420]

19:50 Oh, the book writer for the musical Carrie wrote this? What do you know....

[@WolfoftheDM]

Idk why but the way the thunder of the verdict just cuts in on the end of the movie made me laugh. I love it, nice review

[@ty-seansenior6660]

I've been waiting for you an entire month, Diva. Lay it on, us! (Give us a heads up next time you post something, though, I've been waiting an entire week fore this to appear in my feed.)

[@MusicalHell]

Normally videos go public the first (for Musical Hell) and third (for Know the Score/At the Source) Monday of the month. This one was a little bit late because I was on vacation and my first upload had no sound.

[@aussieman3021]

Hey Diva, will you be covering that Sia movie Music? Yes, the main problem with the movie was that it depicts autistic people as burdens and props to further the lives of neurotypical people, but the musical numbers on it for the most part are randomly put in and have nothing to do with the plot. The fact that Sia originally wrote it to be a straight drama serves that point home.

[@palesgensler3099]

That movie is not one only offensive but it is also dangerous. Because it promotes restraints witch can and have gotten autistic people killed. Also Sia has stated multiple times the she hates musicals. Witch really shows because she clearly dose not understand what makes a musical work.

[@aussieman3021]

@@palesgensler3099 But the studio gave Sia an additional 12 million dollars to make it a musical. And also that she cast Leslie Odom Jr. to be in the movie despite Leslie being well-known for playing Aaron Burr in a musical, which is, of course, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton.

[@colleen4ever]

YES YES YES YES!!! PLEEEEEEEASE DO! That movie is SO asking for it! It would have definitely won the Razzie for Worst Picture if that stupid founder of the Razzies wasn;t so damn liberal AND he didn;t decide that Documentaries were the same thing as movies (WHICH THEY ARE NOT!!)

[@jeremyusreevu237]

Glad to see more of your content, Diva.

[@pcbassoon3892]

Glenn Close's hair is one of the worst parts of this. It's like they didn't even bother putting her in costume.

[@oddbobproductions781]

Can you do Alice from 1982 plzzzzz?? I’d love to see you rip it apart! It sounds like something right up your alley

[@wickedfeylady]

It sucks because parts of this show are more relevant now than ever, and certainly were relevant in 2001. I hope people can find a way to make the good parts of this material still resonate for future generations.

[@Gingersnaps1978]

That 1999 Annie slaps, tho

[@pcbassoon3892]

Oh I hated it. I remember when it aired. They entirely cut out the Depression.

[@colleen4ever]

@@pcbassoon3892 And they removed the fact that Miss Hannigan was an alchaholic and just made her and out-and-out bitch!

[@Gingersnaps1978]

Ok, I guess I’m wrong

[@jenniferschillig3768]

@@pcbassoon3892 I wouldn't say they cut it out...we still saw people living on the street. They just removed "We'd Like To Thank You, Herbert Hoover."

[@christineharris2302]

I saw this when it was originally broadcast but didn't remembertoo muck about it. I guess my brain was trying tho save me.

[@jerryrathgeb4412]

I am IMMEDIATELY going to my DVD player and watching the 1958 musical in a desperate (and probably futile) effort to forget this version was ever conceived. Proof positive that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Mitzi Gaynor and Giorgio Tozzi, take me away!

[@antonspivack3928]

I like the title card. I think Diva should go off to a South Pacific beach after having to sit through this. Of course I made the request, so mea culpa.

[@dianakosianka5344]

This thumbnail could make a great postcard picture

[@jamesryan6008]

You think Glenn Close was miscast.? Try Kiri Te-Kanawa for size( with Jose Carreras as her co-star).

[@gentillydanny]

Excellent review! You little devil, you!

[@AndrewB..]

Yay sound!

[@ThePa1riot]

13:00 “I hid this uncomfortable hunk of metal up my ass for two years.”

[@TheJFish94]

Next to Amy Adams, Glenn Close is overdue for an Oscar. What's she gotta' do, reprise her role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard?

[@paulinaenck5797]

Yes, she 100% has to play Norma in a film of Sunset Boulevard. She’s be perfect!!

[@fanofmusicals]

Supposedly a film of Sunset Boulevard is in the works.

[@xaviotesharris891]

I saw her in Sunset Boulevard on its opening night in Los Angeles. OMFG. (You know, that run that preceded its Broadway opening, slated to star Patti Lupone but that after Glenn killed it so hard in LA, Broadway dropped Patti and signed Glenn - that opening night.)

[@jenniferschillig3768]

I'm surprised you left out one glaring sin: shortchanging the best song in the show, "This Nearly Was Mine". Like the 1958 version, this adaptation truncates it and leaves out the second bridge ("So clear and deep are my fancies/Of things I wish were true..."), although the cast recording of the 2001 version does include the full version. But even worse, Rade Serbedzija's pop-singer voice is unsuited for it, and they change the song's position in the script, putting it BEFORE Nellie's final rejection and robbing it of its power. Compare this rendition of the song to Brian Stokes Mitchell's in the 2006 concert version (and the nearly-one-minute ROAR of applause that followed it) and you'll see just how badly this version mishandled this song.

[@Arkelk2010]

That's one thing that needed more emphasis: Emilie has to have an operatic, or at least traditionally trained, full voice or the songs don't work musically. The original and movie had opera singers--Ezio Pinza and Georgio Tozzi (who sang for Rossano Brazzi). I saw a fine revival with Robert Goulet (finally, a French accent instead of Italian!) who has a full voice. Thus movie missed that key aspect.

[@nickcopeland6915]

Diva, what do you think of The Road to El Dorado?

[@MrGabeanator]

i remember the tv spots for this i think one of em misidentified Close as Academy Award Winner

[@largeposterior08]

I wonder if we'll ever see the animated "King and I" from 1999 in the court. Let's just say that massive liberties are taken...

[@jenniferschillig3768]

I think she already might have, but it was on the old Blip TV version and might not be available through KZbin.

[@MelanieNLee]

@@jenniferschillig3768 I believe it's on Musical Hell dot com.

[@beethovensfidelio]

@@jenniferschillig3768 She deleted the video because she felt bad that she made fun of Prince Chulalongkorn’s name and decided to call him “chewy” for the rest of his review. To add insult to injury, Prince Chulalongkorn was a real person in Thailand.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

@@beethovensfidelio Thanks for the info. I'd like it very much if she posted a new, updated version.

[@Ben_Donnelly_DUB]

For a hot second there I thought the thumbnail said "South Park". Very confusing hahaha

[@gasmmusic]

Great review. I hope to see you do a review of HAIR in the near future. I hated the film. It's far removed from the stage show. While it does have some good voices and some amusing scenes here and there, I think they really missed the mark with that one.

[@Christoph52]

Omg those verdicts had me on the floor 🤣🤣🤣

[@erictezino2552]

Can you review this 2012 musical padak also known swimming to sea

[@kimberlybogert7031]

I don't watch too many musical (expect with Dinsey stuff😅 but I enjoy these and give me some or bit more insine on Musical so Thank you for that.☺️💗🌺🎶

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

"South Pacific, one of the brightest jewels in the musical theater canon." Me, someone who's only vaguely familiar with the show because she did a song from it with her senior year Choir: 😶

[@trinaq]

Yes, same here, we performed "Happy Talk", and "There's Nothing like a Dame" and that's the extent of my knowledge of this musical. Also, it's nice to see you this side of KZbin!

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

@@trinaq Boom, that's the one! We performed "There's Nothing Like a Dame," thank you! And yeah it's great to see you too! 😊

[@eatatjoe]

Performed "Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair" or something.

[@jacobbelow]

I have a few comments about about this movie myself. First...Yikes, to that news about Pastorelli's history, and how knowing about it can make certain scenes all the more uncomfortable. Second...Damn right, this is not a "movie about war". This is 'South Pacific', not 'Patton'! Third...I think a big reason as to why "You Got to Be Carefully Taught" was so much more effective in the original is because it's during an interaction between Emile and Cable, instead of just Cable singing it to himself. It has Emile coming to Cable and saying that he doesn't buy Ellie's whole "racism is born inside me" claim, and Cable is basically giving the answer to it while (at the same time) realizing and coming to terms with it in himself. The song works much better in that context, because at it's core, the song is a confession. Fourth...I too have to agree about Glenn Close. Say what you will about John Hughe's '101 Dalmations', but Cruella was a role she was BORN to play! (I'll leave talking about Emma Thompson and her recent movie to someone else.) She also fits well in voice-acting roles like Kala in Disney's Tarzan, or Granny in 'Hoodwinked', but she doesn't fit here, try as she might.

[@eamonndeane587]

Have you seen Close in Damages? Patty Hewes is one of her best roles in my eyes.

[@jacobbelow]

@@eamonndeane587 I haven't. That's one I'll have to add to my watchlist.

[@mellyflori6856]

12:35 that right there is an: oh! I'm sorry! I did not mean to lead you on! Face

[@slashermaster28]

'South Pacific' Wait, what? '2001' Oh, okay, never mind.

[@GothKatt]

Question: What would you recommend as far as good movie adaptations? Is there only two to choose from? Is the 1958 version at least decent? I'm genuinely curious.

[@fanofmusicals]

I haven't seen the 2001 version all the way through (after watching this video I'm glad I haven't), but there is also a concert version with Reba McEntire that was recorded and filmed. I've only heard the CD of that production, but I can vouch it is a good production musically. I believe the most recent revival was filmed for PBS, which you can find if you dig around for it online. As for the 1958 film, I think it is a much better film than it is given credit for, and I don't really mind the colored filters. I much prefer the extended 172 premiere version than the shorter 157 version that was issued later. Both versions are included on the newer DVDs and Blu-rays.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

The 1958 version's good, but it's got these DUMB STUPID RIDICULOUS color filters that flood the screen every time a song starts. I guess they thought it was, I dunno, otherworldly or something?

[@MelanieNLee]

@@fanofmusicals Yes, I saw the concert version on TV with Reba McEntyre, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Alec Baldwin as Luther Billis, and Lillias White as Bloody Mary. It's great!

[@a.t.m873]

South Pacific: Best musical Tony 1950 and Best musical revival 2008. How could they do this to it

[@xaviotesharris891]

And the Pulitzer Prize!

[@jf...a-p1t]

Enjoying the longer format

[@thema1998]

After more than *4* hours, I finally made time for the "South Pacific (2001)" episode. EDITS- 6:08 P.M.: *finishes episode 23 minutes later* I never knew that this adaptation of the musical existed until now. 6:12 P.M.: I'd rather watch the 1958 adaptation. It looked more interesting and has *presumably* aged better!

[@MelanieNLee]

Hi! I was just on an online class about South Pacific, and they used clips from your Musical Hell critique. Does this make you feel proud?

[@MusicalHell]

Maybe...? Depends on the context.

[@MelanieNLee]

@@MusicalHell There was the part about Glenn Close being too old to be Nellie, and I think about the inclusion of Black soldiers in "There is Nothing Like a Dame". Overall, I think the teacher agreed with your assertions. Basically, this class was about the themes of South Pacific--especially racism--the musical choices to convey love, and the various professional productions or movies.

[@h193013]

Off subject I want to hear what you think about the In The Heights movie. I hope that doesn’t end up in Musical Hell.

[@antonspivack3928]

Was that a clicking noise at 13:46?

[@alaska4939]

I saw this at a local theater. It was great and I’m glad this tv production wasn’t my first view of it 😬

[@mafi9767]

*watches video when it first comes out* *3 days later* Well, I've already rewatched all the other videos, might as well rewatch this one again :D

[@lightyearpig12]

I remember watching this version for my college musicals class and writing about the changes to this movie and the overall anti-racist message of South Pacific.

[@bruiserharm1564]

Is this vid really quiet for anyone else? I had my tv at 70 when it’s usually at around 20-25 🤷🏻‍♀️ Also, this channel is wonderful and always a fun watch💕💕

[@degrassigirls80]

Will A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish be the Christmas case for the year? It's truly awful and the choreography is honestly horrendous. And it's made by the same woman who made all of the Cinderella Story movies since the Hilary Duff one... it's a fascinating dull and zennial af movie

[@xaviotesharris891]

God, I love Glenn Close, but this adaptation is so, so awful.

[@paulkoza8652]

For once, I saw both the original and the remake. Couldn't agree with you more.