“Gypsy” is based on the true story of a vaudeville stage mother who promoted her two daughters’ careers without much success. The younger daughter eloped (and later became the actress June Havoc), and her oldest developed a burlesque career under the name Gypsy Rose Lee. This musical-drama film was weakly directed by Mervyn LeRoy (“The Devil at 4 O’Clock” 1961) from a lackluster screenplay by Leonard Spigelgas. The storyline is uneven with mediocre production values, not to mention the misuse of some great musical numbers composed by Jule Stein and Stephen Sondheim.
The performances by the film’s top stars are horrific, which includes Rosalind Russell, Natalie Wood, and Karl Malden. The trio butchered the song “Together Wherever We Go” in a forgettable musical sequence. Co-stars include Ann Jillian, Harvey Korman, and Morgan Brittany in early career appearances. There was a cameo by big star Jack Benny, which did not help out this turkey. The gaudy, tasteless, and unwatchable “Gypsy” did have some success in theatrical release for producer Mervyn LeRoy and Warner Bros. Pictures. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Cinematography, Costume Design, Musical Scoring.
Gypsy (1962)
cinema
My Review
“Gypsy” is based on the true story of a vaudeville stage mother who promoted her two daughters’ careers without much success. The younger daughter eloped (and later became the actress June Havoc), and her oldest developed a burlesque career under the name Gypsy Rose Lee. This musical-drama film was weakly directed by Mervyn LeRoy (“The Devil at 4 O’Clock” 1961) from a lackluster screenplay by Leonard Spigelgas. The storyline is uneven with mediocre production values, not to mention the misuse of some great musical numbers composed by Jule Stein and Stephen Sondheim.
The performances by the film’s top stars are horrific, which includes Rosalind Russell, Natalie Wood, and Karl Malden. The trio butchered the song “Together Wherever We Go” in a forgettable musical sequence. Co-stars include Ann Jillian, Harvey Korman, and Morgan Brittany in early career appearances. There was a cameo by big star Jack Benny, which did not help out this turkey. The gaudy, tasteless, and unwatchable “Gypsy” did have some success in theatrical release for producer Mervyn LeRoy and Warner Bros. Pictures. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Cinematography, Costume Design, Musical Scoring.