Broadway: The Golden Age

First this. Sondheim came across as smug, pompous and all-knowing as I’d expect him to be. Creators who had talent (Fred Ebb, Lerner & Lowe, Comden & Green) were “just people”. Like Keats said, a poet is the least poetical of people. Does that fit? If Sondheim had stuck to lyrics instead of trying to write music, he would have been okay, but not spectacular. He could make the words fit the tune anyway, I’ll give him that.I went away with one big impression. These were a lot of very nice people. Maybe that’s just a first impression (as the MC in “Cabaret” says - “What good’s a first impression?").John Raitt singing the end of the “Soliloquy” in “Carousel” blew me away. I’ve never head that sung so well or with such meaning. I read that “Carousel” was Rodgers favorite show – of all he’d written himself or of all musicals? I don’t remember. I don’t happen to like it, or any R&H musical except “Oklahoma!” which is one of my favorite shows. Rodgers & Hart were only mentioned in an extra with June Havoc. Maybe because Hart died in 1943.I liked the middle part of the film the best – personalities and the people talking about the shows they were in. The film could have been 10 hours long if it were all that. I would have loved it. The beginning – Broadway and NYC as they used to be, everyone’s expectations and first impressions of NYC, their early years, etc. - was only mildly interesting to me. But may interest someone else.Going back stage with all these people was like hearing a magician explain his tricks. Or pulling back the curtain and seeing that the Wizard is Frank Morgan.McKay (the guy who made the movie) did a wonderful thing.

Not only is this documentary of oral histories absolutely wonderful, but listening to the director’s commentary track while watching a second time is as good if not better than watching the film; his stories of what each artist was like and the background on the process are fascinating. What good fortune that Rick McKay had the foresight and tenacity to document so many treasures of Broadway Theater before so many passed on — as well as, sadly, Mr McKay himself. There’s talk within the commentary (and still on Rick McKay’s Wikipedia page as of June 2021) about the two sequels he had in the works. If either has been released, I hope they’re available. And if not, I really hope some new champion of the theatre (MR MIRANDA?) would step in and try to help usher in the (other) members of the new Golden Age of Broadway. SEEK THIS OUT; YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID.

If you're a hardcore fan of musical theater and its history, there is a gold mine of interview and event footage in here that I haven't found anywhere else (and I've definitely looked). However, "casual" fans of musicals will probably not find this very engaging, as the people and stories involved are much less compelling if you don't already have quite a bit of context. For serious theater fans, this is a ton of fun, and the extras/interviews are at least as good as the main feature.

Not only is this video a history lesson of the Golden Years of Broadway, but it could also be a history lesson on one of the many things which made New York City great in those same post-war days.As we witness today what some have called the demise of New York, with Broadway...unbelievably...shutting down in its entirety (and, quite possibly, for good; a May "reopening" day appears to be out of the question for now, Jan. 2021), and to those who lived through those Golden Year, this video is a "must view," at least, once.If you are a long-time NYC resident, or lived those days in NY but have now moved on, be prepared to wipe a few tears from your reminiscencing eyes as you recall, possibly, your first attendance to a Broadway show with your parents or girl/boyfriend, or, at least, your first time walking the Great White Way at night.

I bought this DVD after seeing segments of it on YouTube. I LOVE IT! I laugh at one of the other reviewers who panned it because they were expecting clips of old Broadway numbers - read the product description! Amazing bits and explanations of things you would never know from reading a few books because the interviewees were there when it happened. Yes - there are clips to punctuate things - even a clip of Laurette Taylor speaking - what a gem! 100s of still photos you've never seen before! And the truth about what happened to Shirley McLaine that fateful performance - from Shirley herself! My only complaint is that track 21 - the section on Brando- SKIPS - no matter what machine I play it on - so my copy has a definite production flaw in it! I recommend this to anyone who loves theatre and loves older Broadway shows and stars.

If I could rate this with 100 stars, it would not be enough. This is a beautifully crafted documentary with loads of extras including an alternate ending as well as a preview of the 'soon-to-be-released' sequel.This film is a labor of love and it's amazing to watch and see how many participants - well over 100 - are no longer with us. Their performances and memories are luckily captured forever on this disc.If you love theater, this film will make you will smile, laugh and cry.

Fortunately for people who love theater, especially from the time when theater was great.. during the 1950's and 60's .... Rick McKay came along and, with the help of Georgia Frontierre, captured the stories of the major players of that time. I have just ordered a copy for a friend of mine who also loves theater, and will probably order more. No one who is interested in theater.... drama, comedy, musical, anything ... should miss this astounding piece of work.

This is the most enjoyable work of art I have enjoyed for many years, a great addition to my collection. It would be greatly appriciated I feel by adding Region 2 for so many lovers of the Broadway productions and its stars in Britain. So many memories plus sadness that so many of the stars have left us, they will live on with us and what pleasure at the press of a button. Many thanks to all concered with making this movie.John S.Shaw

PERFECT!! THANKS!!