The Real Cabaret part 5

Few musicals can claim to capture the mood of a historical period as well as the 1972 classic Cabaret. Liza Minnelli's unforgettable portrayal of singer Sally Bowles and the film's stylish recreation of the era have become defining images of Weimar Berlin. In this documentary, actor Alan Cumming explores the truths behind the fiction. He meets many of those closely involved with the original film, including Liza Minnelli, and talks to cabaret artists, among them acclaimed performer Ute Lemper.

Alan explores the origins of the Cabaret story in the writings of Christopher Isherwood and uncovers the story of the real life Sally Bowles, a woman very different from her fictional counterpart. He talks to the composer of Cabaret about the inspiration for the film's most famous songs and discovers the stories of the original composers and performers, among them Marlene Dietrich.

Finally, Alan reveals the tragic fate of many of the cabaret artists at the hands of the Nazis. The documentary pays tribute to the magic of the original film and explores the fascinating and often shocking reality of the people and stories that inspired it.

With Alan Cumming, Liza Minnelli and Adam Benzwi.

• Category

  Entertainment

[lightsgolow]

What a great chemistry between mr. Cumming and that lovely professor who is playing piano here.

[odoanna1]

Chemistry? That's musical flirting for you LOL

[SecretTimeWarp]

Well, looks like we've found the 1930's equivalent of "Throw The Jews Down The Well". :-P

[Bradley Egan]

Uh that song. Haunting! Beautiful! Alan!

[John Hintergardt]

What is find frighteningly similar are how the taliban and al keada (however you spell it) destroy books, films and most middle eastern culture in the name of islam as the nazis burned books.

[jweckstein]

Adam Benzwi- my childhood buddy! He knows all about the Jews because he and I made The Jewish Hour radio show at the mere ages of 12.

[Jess8039]

Woah, that piano man is really giving Alan the eye. He blates fancies him, doesn't even control it! Love is in the air ♥

[beckminster12]

The song (written in 1931) is satirical against the fledgling Nazi party. Hollander was making fun of Nazis using the Jews as scapegoats for everything wrong in Germany. The song starts with things humans can't control: hailing, raining... it's ridiculous to blame them for the weather. Also the line, "You ask me why / you just don't get it dear / they are at fault" is pointing out that the Jews were blamed, but with nothing to 'back it up.'

[kyrastube]

ok, just see if I get this right. the song about everything being wrong because of the jews, was that making fun of the nazis? because when he says that "through my eyes" was inspired by that.... at least I have always thought that "through my eyes" was very much mocking the nazis. or have I understood the whole thing wrong?

[curlzferrero]

4:08 - 5:16 What a beautiful satirical song! You don't get them like that any more! XD