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From: candysweet434
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  • Patti LuPone can doo no wrong! She's one of The Last Honest To God Belters and she tore the house down in Evita(how do I know? I was in the friggin audience) Patrice Munsel took the high notes but Roz handled the rest. She never said she was a trained singer and yet...she brought home for Wonderful Town,a musical

  • I just saw Lupone in Gypsy and I was disappointed the play sucked. Lupone was ok in acting but Roz slayed it and brought in home. You can really imagine the fact that she pushed the girls. But in truth she really wanted to perform myself. The only people that would say that Roz wasn't the best they just hating. She was the only actress to play the that wasn't fat.

  • um, Patti is NOT fat, and neither were Bernadette Peters or Angela Landsbury in the role. Please check your facts.

    Also, the LuPone revival is amazing. Sorry. I've seen it three times. It's brilliance in my humble opinion.

  • she sounds like shes shouting.....

  • your mom sucks, but i dont say anything.

  • SHE SUCKSS.

    long ive lupone!

  • I think they blended the 2 singers perfectly, and I thought Ms. Russell did a notable job.

    I don't think anyone has mention this-Do you thing she had a dancing double on the long shots?

    That dancer seems to be much younger and more agile than in the closeups.

  • She is wonderful. The earth lost a great when she passed away. A++++ all the way...

  • luv her costumes!

  • Rosalind Russell was the epitome of Rose ...

    every woman who's played the part since then have been in her shadow

  • Co-sign! I love Merman, but Roz owns this role.

  • you have obviously not seen patti lupone then.

  • she is playing an old woman in this part at the start you see her and her kids and her kids are you then yo see them grow up and be stars so maby she sounds like this because she is trying to sound older

  • Wow! She plays this a little differently from what I expected, but WOW! She is so awesome! I love the growly thing she does. :) And I like that she did most of her singing!

  • Most of the vocals here are Ms Russell.

    But voice double Lisa kirk assists a little....'I had a dream',in the middle of the song.

    Both women made a fine team.

    Nothing to be ashamed of!

  • Let's just face the facts: Rosiland Russell is a great actress. Yes maybe not the best singer but i really think she is the best rose (acting wise). Why do people need to talk shit? If you don't like Rosiland don't watch her videos on youtube. SIMPLE AS THAT.

  • you go girl XD! I totally agree 100%

  • You've either got it, or you ain't, and boys I've got it!

  • of all the fabulous women whove done this, this version is my favorite, because it is the most true to the story. all the broadway divas, who are all battling Mermans legend, make this a big broadway belting look-at-me-go number. and Roz never leaves the story to serve her own ambition or ego. and to me it makes sense shes not the best singer or dancer. i dont think Rose would be. i love Bettes version, cause of the bawdy brassy dancey stuff, and Bernadettes acting and voice. but this is my fave

  • this song always seems a little silly to me when on the screen. its one of those stage songs....

  • I'm sorry, but I don't especially like this version...I don't like her acting, and all I can think of when I hear her voice is Tim Curry in "IT".

  • Singing? May not he the best.

    But the monologue before the song and dialogue afterwards is the best I've ever heard. And I love her "and boys I got it!"

    what a talent.

  • Wouldn't Judy Garland have just PEED in this role? She'd have burned a hole in the goddamn screen! The original idea was to do it with Garland and Ann Margaret, but, as we know, Judy Garland could not be trusted. Russell's good, though she was a little old.

  • Russell is very good as Rose but why can't she sing the whole piece without being dubbed? It ruins it. She sang fine on B'way in Wonderful Town. When an actress creates a role onstage why must they get Hepburn for My Fair Lady, Wood for West Side Story, Russell for this and worst of all Lucy as Mame! I burned a CD comparing 7 versions of this song and each brings something different to the part so I disagree that only 1 or 2 were great.

  • AMAZING! Next to Merman, Rosalind Russell's Mamma Rose is a legendary performance.

  • OMFG! This is without a doubt the worst performance of Rose's Turn. Tyne Daly was better. Scary! It's called a MUSICAL! You need to be able to sing. Merman should have gotten the part.

  • So incredible how the entire ending and final mood of this show can be turned by a single laugh. Benanti's laugh as she exits is like a billion knives. It's perfection.

  • STFU! ROZ ROCKS

  • A M E N ! oh boy THANK YOU tou made the best comment i was hoping someine see what you and i see

  • I love people who cast actors who sing (or in this case, lip sync) over singers who can act, because suddenly it's not about showing off your voice, it's about staying true to the character and conveying the emotion. I liked the subtlety she brought to this, it's a lot better than the campy crap you see nowadays.

  • singing slower. it was a reply to an earlier comment.

  • agreed. patti lupone is the real deal. so is angela lansbury. the others range from marginal to poor.

  • I always hated her in this role. I love the woman, she just wasn't perfect for Mama Rose.

  • She's the only Mama Rose I've seen that shimmies during "Egg Rolls" awesome

  • I think she's remarkable. No, she's not Merman and I wouldn't want her to be. Both are magnificent and utterly unique.

    I love Roz as Rose...

  • No Ethel Merman made all the broadway run in the 1958. later Warner Borthers and producer and directed by Mervyn le roy both decide to make a picture bassed on the broadway play, and they hope tha Judy Garland made the title role as Mama Rose and Ann Margaret as Gyspy Rose Lee. But both actress were involed in other proyect,and Roz wanted the role vey bad and with the help of her husband she get the part. (that's part of the story)

  • Did Rosalind's come right after Ethel Merman's Broadway successful run? I remember this from the 1960s-

  • She sings everything so low!

  • it sounds better that way though dont you think?

  • that's the music director's choice not hers.

  • i love her! she is great!

  • rosalind is AMAZING! thanks for posting

  • you're a professional opera singer but you choose to spend your time on youtube bashing everything?

  • why didn't they just do a non-musical production?

  • Natalie Woods= Brilliant

    Rosalind Russell= not so much

  • wow just cuz she was dubbed a bit dosent mean shes bad at singing [my opinion]

  • Some of this is definitely Lisa Kirk

  • I dont she won an Oscar for this role

  • No, she didn't.

    But she won a Golden Globe, her fifth one if I'm not mistaken.

  • I agree its brilliant - problem is that Sondheim wanted an "emotional breakdown" in song which is what Lansbury gave him; but that interpretation takes away from the "WOW!" factor of the song - I think that Ethel Merman did it best - she "showed what Rose could've been" but her voice conveys the desperation of recognizing that it's never going to happen for her.

  • i disagree, i feel that the entire WOW factor with this song is the emotion/emotional range in the piece, one of the most significant being the emotional breakdown

  • Rosalind sounds like Popeye meets Tim Curry and Harvey Fierstein

  • For me, Roz plays the best Mama Rose. Fantastic, it's no so over the top that it's unbelievable, it's kept subtle but definitely a mental breakdown.

  • rosalind did this while suffering the horrors of arthritis ,very bad arthritis. She one time said this almost killed her. But being a die heart show woman she did it.

  • Hey Naters81, my nephew is an Opera singer. I can't believe what you do before the actual "Play". WOW! Learning several languages PLUS knowing how to pronounce those words PERFECTLY. It's hard on the vocal chords but on another note, you get to travel. I applaud you for your choice of jobs. Guess you're in New York? I believe the Opera people are Unique. Not just learning EVERYONES lines but the melody as well. Bravo!!! C'ya!

  • I personally never really liked Merman. I also do not like Patti. But for some reason I have never really been a fan of Patti's. I think Angela Lansberry was one of the best and I love Roz.

  • I read Sondheim didn't like this performance of Rose's Turn - but I remember the first time I saw it I was absolutely enthralled - Rosalind Russell was definitely one of the greatest.

  • mamas being smoking too many cigarettes...talk about a raspy voice! but she acts it well!

  • Roz intereperets the songs exactly as i thought they should have been when i first heard then (and read the libretto)she is great.

  • i can't tell where Rosalind talks and Lisa sings!

  • Oh my friend just sent me this D.V.D and it's one of my ALL TIME favorites!!"I thought you did it for me mamma,i thought you did it for me"!!Roz' is absolutely BRILLIANT in this movie and this track is her 'show stoppa' and man,does she ever!!Fan-fukkin-tastic!!!!A++

  • What the public didn't know until much, much later was that Roz did this movie very soon after she had a mastectomy. Is that courage and determination and love of her craft!

  • This was a great movie

    way better than the bette midler one

  • Could you possible post Roz doing the "Some People" number?

  • Roz Russell Kicked ass with this roll....Merm could have done the same...but the Zest Russel had....Mama took the stage and just exploded....Mama Roz Rules!!!! Love it!

  • Agreed!

  • Thanks for the Sondheim insight. I agree that this ending is much more upbeat. I love it this way.

  • Sondheim didn't like this - he says they took his great nervous breakdown scene and turned it into a moment of triumph - perhaps I'm optimistic to a fault but I think this was brilliant - Roz is the only one who even omes close to matching Merman

  • This is film acting, which is much more subtle. (This clip is deficient in that you can't really see Ros eyes all that well.) But it's all there. Her entire performance in this film is an under-appreciated marvel!!

  • I think that most of the criticism of Ros in this number, is the result of people comparing her performance against the totally overblown, bombastic stage renditions of this number that have been delivered in live theatre by the likes of Ethel Merman, Tyne Daley, Patti LuPone, etc. This is film acting, which requires much more subtlety. Film acting is done much more with the eyes, and in close-up.

  • terrrible

  • For your listening pleasure I just posted an audio with photo-montage of Betty Buckley singing "Rose's Turn." You can search for it on YouTube or find on my channel. Enjoy!

  • Oof. I thought Rosalind Russell was just too good in Auntie Mame, and she's her usual great self in the dialogue following the song (no thanks to Natalie Wood), but during the number itself she sounds to me like she's auditioning for the part in a college production. It would probably have helped confidence-wise (I'm being serious) if she could sing. But if this is supposed to be "a nervous breakdown set to music" (Ben Brantley, New York Times theatre critic), I'm not gettin' it.

  • I disagree. I actually like the fact she can't sing great because it just shows that she's so self-absorbed and in love with being onstage that she doesn't even realize that she's not the "best". She really reinvents the character- maybe her "born too soon and started too late" is just a security device she uses to hide the fact that she's actually NOT talented? And what if Louise only tells her mother that she really would've been something just to be kind?

    Either way - I love Rosalind.

  • I've always loved this film. Rosalind Russell took a lot of "heat" for taking this role away from Ethel Merman. But Russell is perfect. She gets the pathos and the ambition and the humor and the hurt just right... Please rent this film if you haven't already. Russell is much better than Bette Midler! And Merman would have been HORRIBLE had she done the movie role. In Russell's capable hands, Mama Rose is a flesh and blood, living, breathing, and heartbraking character. I love it!

  • I prefer Bette but Rosalind is so unique and I love her raspy voice.

  • I just posted an audio of "Rose's Turn" by Ethel Merman. You can search "Rose's Turn Ethel Merman"

  • I've decided that Rosalind Russel brought the most to this part. Bette Midler comes in second.

  • A class act! And Natalie Wood, my brunet Marilyn Monroe!

  • Roses' turn by Miss Russell...just a super stunning performance that sets the benchmark for all the others..

    Natalie on that runway is movie magic also

    "Mama, I'm pretty"

    great acting

  • Roz nails it. The anthem of the American Musical Theatre. Then here comes Natalie, and all bets are off...of what was, and what we have...and what we lost on that fateful night off Catalina Island.

    Roz...you gave us your all in this performance. I will always love you, will cherish you as Mame, because I wanted an Aunt like you. Show me the world, give me a notebook to write down the words I don't understand so we can discuss them at dinner.

    Roz and Nat...tre' merci'...more than you know.

  • It's for the very same reason that Natalie Wood was so great as Louise. She was a no-talent who had to grow into it, and it took Natalie's acting ability and less-than-perfect musical style to pull it off.

  • so now we know Laura Benante's YT screename.

  • couldn't agree more.. haha

    i can't understand how anyone who has seen those broadway legends at this song would like rosalind's uninspiring version!

  • I think Rosalind brings something new to the character actually and I like her just as much as Bette and Ethel.

  • I disagree SO MUCH. It's clearly indicated that Rose is supposed to be like, the epitome of talent - the sole reason she doesn't succeed is because "she was born too soon & started too late." not because she was lacking in anything. Especially when Louise comes out after & is like, "You really could've been something, Mama." Like.. you wouldn't have the greats like Bernadette & Patti LuPone playing Rose if she was lacking in any sense of the word.

  • Russell lacks very little esp. for this type of burlesque#, plus the very hefty vocal is brilliantly dubbed by Lisa Kirk,(at "I dreamed it fr you June,&c." then the 'For me's" are inter cut ending w/ Kirk). Roz's acting MAKES the friggin number AND the film. Since we have no film of Merman we'll not know the greatest Rose. The ones of late, Bernadette, (Betty Booping her way thru it), Bette, Patti, and Tyne seem quite wilted in comparison to Roz's grace along w/ superb acting & Ethel's vocal.

  • Roz is perfect as Mama Rose. I have seen it done by so many other people but know you all at once in this number why she wasn't a star but how much drive she had to want to be. It's amazing.

  • The stiffness and slight rigidness of Roz's performance is actually perfect for the part. Bernadette/, Patti, and Bette all sex it up just a little but but Roz really got that Mama Rose was never quite the star she thought she was, so her "vamping it up" should be a little bit lacking.

    I LOVE her in this part.

  • You hit the nail completely on the head, I love this version above all, but do wish there was footage of Merman

  • yeah, her interpretation is great. the others aren't wrong, but they all make good acting choices.

  • try searching for it on youtube then.. her performance in 2007.. the one with the straight hair.. that was a performance i feel is terrific.

  • Sorry Zachng: I saw Lupone: her voice is amazing, but she just doesn't deliver the acting goods; her performance lacks all the amazing nuances in this piece; the range of emotions. Bette, Roz, Bernadette are far better actresses.

  • rosalind better than lupone? i seriously doubt so... i guess we must have very diverse views because i absolutely see lupone as the best rose and rosalind as the most uninspiring one for me.

    and it's not that i'm biased, but lupone is the one with the skillful acting that offers range! she starts off brassy and hateful, ending off bitter and anger. but rosalind? her starting was so mechanical! I just don't see it your way.. sorry

  • well, have you seen patti lupone's performance in 2007? or bette midler's? I hate to simply compare performances, but i sense so much stiffness from her. her actions are so rigid and just typical...

    additionally, i don't get much emotion from her singing.. sorry to say this. I'm a guy, but i bet my range is wider than hers. and that would mean that she isn't really suitable for this role as she doesn't really fit the singing role does she?

  • i've seen it. it's wonderful!! well i've always loved angela's performances. so maybe i'm a little biased. :)

  • Stephen Sondheim & Jule Styne, the composers of Gypsy were so put-off with the '62 film that, in order for the '93 film to go into production, they demanded that not a note would change from the arrangements done for Merman. Thus Midler virtually had to recreate Ethel's vocal performance.

  • Loved Angela Lansbury in the London production.

    Here it is 90% Roz belting it out, with Lisa Kirk, assisting a little.If you check other songs like Small World, and Everything's coming up Rose's - Lisa took over at the studios's insistence to do the gentler vocals. Love the movie,regardless.

  • She sounds awful! If you close your eyes, it's as if a 90 year old man is singing.

    Bette is TEN TIMES better!

  • Thank you for putting this on so others can see the amazing job Rosalind Russell did as Mama Rose. The complexity of emotions Roz is able to bring forth in her acting is just superb!!! I have seen others' do the role (most recent, Patti Lupone) and Rosalind Russell, for me, is still the absolute best!!!

  • As much as I love Bernadette and Bette... I've met them both.... This is by far the best performance as far as "ROSES'S TURN!" Nuff said!

  • I think that the best Momma is Bernedette Peters. But i think that Russell definitely bring something different to the table than having it like a breakdown like how Peters portrays her.

  • As far as acting goes, Roz wins hands down, but as far as singing goes, she is terrible. But, whenever I think of this musical, I think of her - she is the iconic Mama Rose.

  • I'd have to say that the iconic Mama Rose is Ethel Merman, who the role was written for. For me, personally, having seen Patti LuPone in the role, she takes the cake. Of course I never got a chance to see La Merm, but she's the Rose to top all Roses.

  • Of course, how could I forget about La Merm!  She put the definitive stamp on the part. However, I never saw any clips of her doing Mama, so for me I always think of Roz as my fave of the ones I've seen (movie, tv, stage or just clips).

  • A wonderful film. Exceptional acting. Natalie Wood was most beautiful, and Rosiland Russel was tops as always.  Bravo!!!!!!!x

  • Oh my god i jus luv roz but i also like bette and the others were okay but im tired of reading all of these debates between who played the role better because i dont care but anyways go ROZ

  • i watched the others do their version...but Roz did it best. Playing Mama Rose isn't about singing the best...but bringing her attitude across and Roz does it best!

  • to each his own, but for me, it will ALWAYS be roz!! i love rosalind in gypsy!!

  • Do you think just maybe that Roz Russell and Bette Midler have so many fans because more people have seen them? I hazard that no one on here has seen Merman do it. Very few probably have seen Tyne Daly- maybe a few saw Peters or Lupone....

    So you love the only ones you saw....

  • Yes I would say that I love Rosalind, I know she's not a singer, she admits that herself. I don't care though, she's awesome

  • Roz Russell rocks....its not just about singing...its about energy and charisma....and likethesong say you either got it or you aint....and boys she's got it! I LOVE her!!

  • "its not just about singing...its about energy and charisma"

    Thank you. IMO, the same goes for many things. I'm not going to compare different Mama Roses, I'm speaking in general. Sometimes I hear people complain that someone was terrible at some character, but then when they specify why, the only complaints I hear are about singing. Little or nothing about actual portrayal or conviction.

  • joancrawford11, you are an idiot. Mama Rose is a singing part, and RUSSELL CAN'T SING!!!!!!

    There is only one Mama Rose and that aint Russel or Middler(though she is better than Russell). Ethel Merman is the real Mama Rose. No one else is close. It is real tragedy that Merman was not chosen to play Mama Rose in the movie. The person who cast Russell should be shot.

  • I read these comments,,, everyone has their opinion, but, for me and my family, the vote goes hands down to Miss Roz Russell...

    Yes, Bette Midler is a unique talent, but, I saw her version of Gypsy and all I can say is, I had to laugh AT HER Portrayal of Rose, in my opinion, it was a pathetic performance. If there is ever a vote -- who was better as Rose... I cast my vote, for Roz, as I believe 95% of us would? Who knows??? Peace to all

  • This is also one of my favorite movies and I loved Rosalind Russell & Natalie Wood. I'm so glad someone finally posted something with Roz in it. When I checked last time there was some stupid video up. Thanks for posting, Roz is the ORIGINAL Rose.

  • "Hold your hats and hallelujah! Mama's gonna show it to ya..." *dances to the beat*

    She does that in a way nobody else ever could, haha. Rock on.

  • FINALLY!

  • First - I love Roz Russell.And I love the film Gypsy.

    Most of this song WAS her voice, but Lisa Kirk was brought in for songs like 'Some People' and 'You'll never get away from me'.But the match was excellent.And the film showed Ms Russell giving another stellar performance.(Think the brilliant Ethel Merman(Broadway) might have blasted us out of our cinema seats.

  • bette is still my favorite.

  • Middler? are you kidding she sings all her songs the same, no feeling and her acting is overly spastic. She plays all her Parts the same way, if you have seen one Bette movie you have seen them all. and if you think that Roz is dull, well all i can say is you have no taste.

  • I like this, but Bette Midler is better. And Bette is one of the most versatile performers out there... you need to do a little more research on the Divine Miss M before passing such ridiculous judgement.

  • Damn I love Roz, thank you for posting this.. She's the best mama rose by far. No one can touch her..

  • All the other versions pale in omparison.

  • Rosalind Russell is my favourite actress of all time and I'm so glad to see that practically everyone that has commented on this video loves it and her performance as Mama Rose. Roz brought a femininity to this part that Midler and others simply couldn't. Mama Rose was pushy and crass but she was a loving mother who wanted her girls to suceed. It's a wonderful performance from Roz and a terrific movie.

  • firstly, thank you so much for posting this as i've finally seen all mama roses.. and sorry to say this, but i actually found her rendition rather boring and uninspiring! its as though she's bored of doing the song! luckily for midler, else there wouldn't be any dvd for gypsy fans to watch..

  • You must be kidding!

  • You must be kidding!

  • My remarks are replies to "zachng."

  • .. what do you want me to say... that I'm not kidding? cos i'm not... maybe its her lower key voice that makes her sounds bored.. but i don't feel a performance from her.. just her walking about and waving her hands at times..

  • I found her rather boring, as well. I love this number, I think it's one of the greatest musical theatre songs ever written. She couldn't keep me captivated like so many other Roses have.

  • couldn't agree more.. it's a lack lustre performance to me.. rather liveless

  • Rosalind Russell is up with the best stars ever born. Most powerfull, explosive, electric, talented actress that I have ever, ever seen, and will never, ever see again. One gutsy talented woman.

  • Rosalind Russell, it doesn't get any better than this. She's got it down; one of my all time favorite performances! Thanks for putting this on here

  • Rosalind Russell is one of the greatest actresses of all time, this is a timeless performance, one of her best, thx for posting it and keeping her memory alive! Peace 2 all.

  • Haha, Roz was a classic! Luv her! Thanks for uploading this!

  • Timeless and never equalled

  • Rosalind Russell's version of this song is so my favorite guilty pleasure. Her singing is certainly, um, something else, even with Lisa Kirk dubbing the higher/slower notes, but this scene kicks ass. As does Roz.

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