Bob and Gwen and Sweet Charity

[stoneyboy1970]

It took a special kind of dancer to properly interpret Fosse PERIOD. They were all great...Shirley, Gwen, Ann Reinking. Who cares who was THE BEST. It certainly matter to Bob. He liked them all.

[BalletBabyBoy]

Who asked you and what do you know anyway Hardthing?!

[BalletBabyBoy]

There is no comparison between Shirley and Gwen...it's another Hollywood disgrace that she did not recreate this role...IDIOTS!

[hardballget]

Poor form BBB, not even the discussion instigator was as defamatory as to call others idiots for having their own minds and opinions. Your comment and opinion becomes invalid when it is followed by senseless garbage. Internet or not, best learn some manners first if you wish to be taken seriously. You might well have a point, but no one will ever know? @BalletBabyBoy

[blondbear2]

you all need to understand that in hollywood

stage actors didn't always make it into the screen visions of the plays/musicals they were in on broadway

it was all about money

had nothing to due with talant

[pudgeuncle]

@blondbear2 If you are a real student of the film/theater musical, Broadway is much more guilty of box office casting. Universal did not want Gwen Verdon for the same reason MANY stage stars don't get film roles..she was TOO old by the time the film was made. You can get away with being too old on stage [like a 30 year old playing a teen in Hairspray or 62 year old Bernadette Peers in A Little Night Music] but on film, when your face is blown up to 30x40, the camera can't lie.

[Indio156]

Gwen Verdon was the ONLY ONE who could properly do his steps. She was his muse, his wife, and the star of every one of his B'way shows. The ONLY reason she didn't star in Sweet Charity on screen was because the sub-standard "dancer" Shirley MacLaine was a better box office draw. Gwen Verdon was only known on B'way. So if they wanted the movie to be made at all, it had to be with MacLaine. That's how the story went.

[pudgeuncle]

@Indio156 Gwen Verdon was NOT only known to Broadway. As you can see in this clip, she was featured on The Ed Sullivan Show [MANY TIMES] where millions tuned in every week when there were only 3 networks in most of the country. Verdon actually lost the role because she was 46 by the time the movie was filmed. You don't need to demean Shirley MacLaine because you prefer Verdon [and did not do your homework]. I love them both, actually worshipped Verdon and was thrilled to have met them both.

[jmiluminado]

Master Bob Fosse... Like him there's no other... A true dance master!!!

[adlucas009]

Shame the interview with him was cut off so quickly at the end.

[bwaybuffer92]

Gwen is an amazing dancer! and i love Bob Fosse!

[whyme1963]

But wasn't Chita grand?

[Bardacious]

The portion of this video about the making of the movie is on the "Sweet Charity" DVD bonus features.

No winner need be declared in the Verdon-MacClaine Charity "competition". Verdon brought dazzling panache to the role; MacClaine brought poignancy and sweet vulnerability to it. Both are deeply moving and remarkable performances; both are leading lights of the American theatre.

The one great sadness is that we don't have Verdon's recorded so we can enjoy it today, along with MacClaine's.

[metamorphosis4u]

Looks like the video Get Me Bodied, and I also see that Beyonce used the rail in her live experience Video, I can see she's a fan of FOSSE!

[MissAlainey1991]

I Swear! Sweet Charity shouldve became a cartoon:D the dancing is SoooOOOooOOoOo comic:3

[Benchley101]

This clip comes from the Emmy Award winning 1990 PBS documentary DANCE IN AMERICA - BOB FOSSE: Steam Heat, which was produced by Gwen Verdon. It only aired once (yessir, once) and was part of the Great Performances series. It was simply a 1-hour documentary covering Bob Fosse's entire career, stage, television and film.

And before you ask, it was never released on home video and is even rarely found in the collections of bootleg collectors.

I, of course, have it on DVD. :-)

[42ndStTimesSquare]

Greeting How did you get a DVD/CD version? How fantastic I would love a copy!

[CSNY225]

Is this on a documentary? Please, please tell me the title!

[Codester103089]

is this a movie? if it is whats it called?

[stomberlins]

it's criminal that Shirley McClain was given this part in the film. Although she's a great actress she is not Verdon's equal as a musical or dance star. It seems hollow to see her rip off Verdon's gestures and singing style.

[Benchley101]

First and foremost, Shirley MacLaine began her professional career as a chorus dancer in the 1955 Broadway musical THE PAJAMA GAME, which was choreographed by Bob Fosse. She began acting classes at his suggestion. Universal Pictures purchased the film rights for SWEET CHARITY for Shirley MacLaine, who stood firm that Bob Fosse should direct AND choreography. Also, if you feel Shirley is trying to rip-off Gwen Verdon -- Gwen personally coached Shirley in all the choreography and scenes.

[stomberlins]

She got a Hollywood contract out of being Carol Haney's understudy, not a chorus dancer. (See any biography of Fosse, Verdon, or MacLaine for a source.) Since she got the contract out of her first performance, since Haney had broken her ankle and scouts were there to see her, I doubt Fosse started her on the road to becoming an actress. I am not criticizing Shirley, and no matter who suggested or hired her, she was an unfortunate choice in a production racked with visual and artistic excesses.

[MissAlainey1991]

Gwen is the best sweet charity EVER!!!!

[verucabrat]

Thank you Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon!!!!  The GREAT ONES!!!

[Indio156]

@verucabrat Shirley Maclaine couldn't dance her way out of a paper bag without Gwen Verdon holding her hand. Gwen started as a dance trainer in Hollywood, training people with two left feet to look good on camera. She started dancing as a child because she had a physical, spinal problem. Her dancing cured her of that, and she was THE BEST dancer on B'way. NO OTHER WOMAN, not even Cheetah Rivera, could top Gwen Verdon. And Cheetah would be the FIRST to say it!

[pudgeuncle]

@Indio156 It's spelled CHITA and many, including myself, would argue that Chita Rivera is the greater dancer. Did you ask Ms. Rivera herself? Rivera is the only dancer in theater history to have danced for all of the greats...and done so with no peer. Long as I live, my most treasured theater memory will be the 7x I saw these magnificent women in Chicago.

[hardballget]

There is no room for hate in FOSSE WORLD only LOVE. Gwen most of us agree was the best but never do I rate the two against each other I just love them both for their own qualities and distinctions. Shirley is still one of the greatest all time all round performers and your opinion of Gwen should not detract from that. I'm sure you will find the love in your heart one day and you too will enjoy the wonder that is Shirley/Charity.@Indio156

[graypat]

Mr. Fosse, Thank You. Thanks for the best and the most innovative dances I've enjoyed.