Post by tommyrockarolla on Jan 12, 2019 19:55:28 GMT
Great comments about the "Williams stuff". I'd kill to see a performance of "Streetcar", 1947. There's a shortened 'radio version' of it somewhere, but it was obviously done in a recording studio, probably a few blocks from the theater. (I've been there for other plays, and during intermissions? Struck up conversations with bar maids about 'young Brando' being a game changer for NY Actors with film aspirations, right in this very room.)
Tandy's "Blanche" I'd always read? Was a different portrayal than Leigh's. Whereas Vivien's "Blanche" was wallowing in introspection, Tandy's "Blanche" was fighting her demons off as well as Stanley's BS. I've read many things. "Harsher" was one word.
While we'll never know for sure? I've come to the conclusion Tandy's "Blanche" had more 'fight' in her, while Leigh's "Blanche" is almost ready to be victimized. It probably provided a different 'balance' in the play.
Still, Leighs interpretation was equally stunning. I'm pretty sure she'd done it in the London production. For what it's worth, it dovetails very well with her Scarlet O'Hara from 12 years earlier. (<---not saying Tandy's "Blanche" isn't vulnerable: She is. She was just more determined to hide it. She was delusional).
Radio Version with Jessica Tandy:
Streetcar radio edit.
I'd like to have seen Bel Geddes do Maggie The Cat: I've seen both Kathleen Turner and Scarlett Johansson do it. Turner was very impressive, early 1990's.
I'd also liked to have seen "The Odd Couple" with Art Carney as Felix. I don't know if it'd be 'better' than Lemmon (or Tony Randall, for that matter), but Matthau and Carney had a nice long successful run with it on Broadway.
I'd have also liked to have seen Lee J Cobb do "Death Of A Salesman". Fredric March did the film, even did it justice, but? Cobb supposedly owned the part. He did do it 15 years later for a televised play, but it's a revisit. I'm sure he revised a number of things about his performance.
Tandy's "Blanche" I'd always read? Was a different portrayal than Leigh's. Whereas Vivien's "Blanche" was wallowing in introspection, Tandy's "Blanche" was fighting her demons off as well as Stanley's BS. I've read many things. "Harsher" was one word.
While we'll never know for sure? I've come to the conclusion Tandy's "Blanche" had more 'fight' in her, while Leigh's "Blanche" is almost ready to be victimized. It probably provided a different 'balance' in the play.
Still, Leighs interpretation was equally stunning. I'm pretty sure she'd done it in the London production. For what it's worth, it dovetails very well with her Scarlet O'Hara from 12 years earlier. (<---not saying Tandy's "Blanche" isn't vulnerable: She is. She was just more determined to hide it. She was delusional).
Radio Version with Jessica Tandy:
Streetcar radio edit.
I'd like to have seen Bel Geddes do Maggie The Cat: I've seen both Kathleen Turner and Scarlett Johansson do it. Turner was very impressive, early 1990's.
I'd also liked to have seen "The Odd Couple" with Art Carney as Felix. I don't know if it'd be 'better' than Lemmon (or Tony Randall, for that matter), but Matthau and Carney had a nice long successful run with it on Broadway.
I'd have also liked to have seen Lee J Cobb do "Death Of A Salesman". Fredric March did the film, even did it justice, but? Cobb supposedly owned the part. He did do it 15 years later for a televised play, but it's a revisit. I'm sure he revised a number of things about his performance.