Gypsy [DVD]

Gypsy was a popular stage show with Ethel Merman with music by Jule Styne & Stephen Sondheim. From Everything is Comin Up Roses to Let Me Entertain You this show has many great songs. Filmed by Warner Bros with Rosalind Russell as Mama Rose & Natalie Wood as her daughter Rose who became Gypsy Rose Lee, this TV version(1993) is highly entertaining and runs the 150mins of the Warner film. Bette Midler plays her part well in a story that is very reminiscent of an era that was once in US live theatre. The opening credits depicts stills of performers in stills from this long gone era. I have the original Laserdisc of this TV version from its original issue and I was pleased to be able to get the DVD into my collection. It will be regularly run for my enjoyment. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to collectors of stage musical material.

I enjoyed seeing the Broadway Stage production and not the movie version. Ms Midler and cast great.

I enjoyed the dvd. The dvd was packaged well and I recieved it the next day. I would buy from them again.

Love all versions Gypsy and have wanted it on DVD for a long time Better Midler's version of Mama Rose reminds me very much of Ethel Merman's classic portrayal with the humor that only Bette Midler can bestow,I would say for a feel good time and to relive one of the best musicals take the time to order this classic today.

It looked good on paper: Powerhouse performer Bette Midler playing the most famous role in musical theater, directed by Emile Ardolino, the guy who turned "Dirty Dancing" into a national phenomenon. So what went wrong? The truth is, Midler simply isn't a good enough actress to capture the subtleties of as complex a character as Momma Rose. She's all big eyes and broad gestures, waving arms and manic mood swings; it's a community theater performance, going for the obvious at every turn. Is Rose manic and driven at times? Yes, of course; her father calls her a "crazy woman" in an early scene. But from her first entrance, Midler seems to have confused "powerhouse" with "bulldozer." She spits her lines out in rapid succession, with all the bawdiness with which she tells her famous Sophie Tucker jokes in concert. But where's charm, humor, sexiness; all the manipulatively feminine characteristics that make Rose such a seductive, seditious presence in everyone's lives? Rose gets her way not because she beats Herbie, June and Louise into submission, but because her dreams and desires are so strong they have no choice but to believe in them themselves. Auntie Mame is described as The Pied Piper, but it's an apt description of Rose as well. Midler's characterization is so grating, I can't imagine anyone doing much more than running in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, with the exception of Jennifer Rae Beck's Dainty June and Linda Hart's Mazeppa, the supporting cast is average at best. And however skilled Ardolino is at directing the musical sequences, he completely fails to mine the humor and tension of Arthur Laurents's brilliant dialogue. The production values are first rate across the boards. Personally, I think June's acts are a little over produced; a certain vaudeville seediness would have made more sense. But the producers and Ardolino obviously adore the material -- who doesn't? -- and they've approached it with tremendous love and attention, so it's hard to fault their decisions. Is this a better version than the 1962 film? Yes and no. It's a far more faithful adaptation, with Laurents and Sondheim's bawdier material intact, but I think the earlier cast is far superior. I know I'm not supposed to like Rosiland Russell because she wasn't Ethel Merman, but I love the performance; for me, Russell finds the perfect balance between Rose's fierce passion and her crushing vulnerability. And Karl Malden and Natalie Wood are superb, the latter fragile and extremely touching. So as a record of the show as originally written, this version is a must for all musical theatre fans. But if you're looking for the definitive "Gypsy" on film -- it ain't been made yet.

I have loved the "other" version of Gypsy Rose Lee's life and didn't know about Bette Midler's version. She does a great job of course. She is a great performer. It is a toss-up whether she or Rosalind Russell played a better stage mother. The music is lovely and the acting is great.

I would recommend this film. At the time of its original release, it seemed to me that Bette wasn't really giving it her all but now in hindsight I find it to be a very enjoyable film. I recommend this for all, especially Bette Midler fans.

I'm glad I have this a second chance. It's much better than I remembered from the original airing. Sure Bette Midler chews up the scenery and half the cast. How could you not in this role. But her Rose is a multi layer kind of woman, who dreams in IMAX. Kudos to all.

I was so surprised to watch a film that felt like a play! The best bio I’ve ever seen it gave me ideas for my painting designs ! Loved all the costumes ! Three top awards deserved

Great!

Gift & was definitely enjoyed.