Put on a happy face

[shalanna]

I've identified a film/play that definitely starts in the right place.

"Bye Bye Birdie" starts with the big news on the front page that CONRAD BIRDIE GOT DRAFTED!

Of course, the show is too slow for modern viewers. I hadn't realized it until tonight. Can you believe my mother had never seen it? Nor her friend (her age). They got back from bingo (play free on your birthday! Her friend just turned mumble) and BBB was coming on TCM, so I made them sit down and count their winnings ($20 total and a free game) while they watched. The two famous songs/sequences don't come until an hour into the film--"Put On a Happy Face" and "Kids!" But anyhow, the musical is still very popular for high school dramatics departments and community theater because it has a cast of 1,000. Many, many good speaking/singing parts. Usually, at least two of the musical numbers are cut for the sake of speeding things up. Modern viewers prefer a quicker pace.

The world changes. Anyhow, I was thinking about openings and good opening sequences, and this has it.

I also think the film my icon is stolen from opens in the right place. I am speaking of the original, not the (yuck) remake, which wasn't realistic (the custody arrangements aren't believable today, while they were just barely possible in 1967.) You all know the film I'm talking about, right? (grin)

Comments

[buddhamike.livejournal.com]

Hahaha!

I was watching this with my mom tonight!

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

You never know how many people are tuned in to those great old films! I enjoyed it, although Mama and her friend mocked me whenever they thought the storyline dragged. My mother usually doesn't go to Bingo (her friend is an addict), so she was in a weird mood anyway!

[mummm.livejournal.com]

Pollyanna? Or one with the twins... I can't think of the name just now? Was that actress in Helen Keller too? *Mentalpause*

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

The original Parent Trap! The film that made me wish I had a twin sister who had been spirited off somewhere so I could find her. Hayley Mills was also in Pollyanna . . .that one was cute, but a little sappy. She did a number of good Disney films, but Parent Trap is my favorite. Just strikes a chord for some reason.
But I think it's Patty Duke who played in the Miracle Worker.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

Oh yes! I liked those movies too... I just get a bit confused as you can tell.

[wildcelticrose.livejournal.com]

We did "Bye Bye Bidie" in high school. I can most likely still receite every line and sing every song...

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

Isn't that the truth! Again, it has a cast of thousands, so the whole school can be in it as a walk-on. Great for the drama teacher! (grin) I can pretty much do "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," and "Fiddler on the Roof" for the same reason. Standing backstage waiting for my cue to fly out as Grandma Tzeitel in Tevye's dream sequence . . . singing "Do You Know Something, Schroeder"

These were formative experiences. Maybe it explains a lot about me!