Production Year: 1969 - Music / Performing Arts - Director: Bob Fosse - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Shirley Maclaine, Ricardo Montalban, John McMartin, Stubby Kaye, Sammy Davis Jr., Chita Rivera, Paula Kelly more
A musical version of Neil Simon's Broadway hit with Shirley Maclaine in the title role of a dance-hall hostess who dreams of old-fashioned romance but gives her heart to undeserving men.
Sweet Charity [DVD] [1969]
After several years as the hottest musical director on Broadway, Bob Fosse made his film ... more
directorial debut with this movie version of his Broadway hit, which was based on Fellini'sNights of Cabiria. Shirley MacLaine is terrific as the proverbial hooker...
Sweet Charity [DVD] [1969]
After several years as the hottest musical director on Broadway, Bob Fosse made his film ... more
directorial debut with this movie version of his Broadway hit, which was based on Fellini'sNights of Cabiria. Shirley MacLaine is terrific as the proverbial hooker...
Sweet Charity DVD
Love what it's all about! New York dance hall hostess Charity (Maclaine) who dreams of ... more
old-fashioned romance but gives her heart to one undeserving man after another; will she find true love after all? Bob Fosse's dazzling musical based on Neil Simon...
Sweet Charity
Shirley MacLaine gives one of her greatest performances in this spectacular musical based ... more
on Neil Simon's smash Broadway hit. Director Bob Fosse broke new cinematic ground with this freewheeling, visually stunning story of a lovelorn New York dance hall hostess, Charity Hope Valentine, who dreams of old-fashioned romance but gives her heart to one undeserving man after another.MacLaine joins all-star cast members Chita Rivera, Sammy Davis Jr., Ricardo Montalban and Stubby Kaye in belting out thirteen vibrant Cy Coleman-Dorothy Fields' numbers including Big Spender, Rhythm Of Life, There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This and the show-stopping If My Friends Could See Me Now. It's an unforgettable production of an all-time classic.
Sweet Charity - CD
Overture (Orchestra) Charity's Theme (Orchestra) You Should See Yourself (Gwen Verdon) Big ... more
Spender (Helen Gallagher) (Thelma Oliver And Girls) Charity's Soliloquy (Gwen Verdon) Rich Man's Frug (Orchestra) If My Friends Could See Me Now (Gwen Verdon) Too Many Tomorrows (James Luisi) There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This (Gwen Verdon) (Helen Gallagher) (Thelma Oliver) I'm The Bravest Individual (Gwen Verdon) (John McMartin) The Rhythm Of Life (Arnold Soboloff) (Eddie Gasper) (Harold Pierson) (Worshipers) Baby Dream Your Dream (Helen Gallagher) (Thelma Oliver) Sweet Charity (Chorus) (John McMartin) Where Am I Going? (Gwen Verdon) I'm A Brass Band (Gwen Verdon And The Brass Band) I Love To Cry At Weddings (Girls) (Helen Gallagher) (John Wheeler) (Michael Davis) (Patrons) (Thelma Oliver) Finale: If My Friends Could See Me Now (Chorus And Orchestra) I Love To Cry At Weddings (Girls) (Helen Gallagher) (John Wheeler) (Michael Davis) (Patrons) (Thelma Oliver) You Wanna Bet (Cy Coleman) Where Am I Going? (Cy Coleman) If My Friends Could See Me Now (Cy Coleman) Introduction (Various) Curtain Calls (Various) Party (Various) Ethel Merman (Various) Helen Gallagher (Various) Neil Simon (Various) Gwen Verdon (Various)
A review by LIZKEMPO on Sweet Charity (DVD) December 15th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Liked it
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Soundtrack
Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
Great Film, Big Spender !
Disadvantages:
Not Very Well Known !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Sweet Charity, 1969, Running Time 149 min, Rating PG.
The Story:
Set in the 60's Charity Valentine is a dancer in a seedy night club, she is desperate to fall in love and leave the club and settle down with a nice man. After a series of disastrous relationships Charity still manages to look on the bright side of life, and in a twist of fate she meets Oscar in a lift -Could he be the man of her dreams?
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this film, it is full of great musical numbers and I love the 70's style and costumes used. I am also a big fan of Bob Fosse's work and really enjoyed the dances. Shirley MacLaine is joy to watch in the role of Charity and steals the show. Highlights for me where 'The Rhythm of Life' this is such a fun number and Sammy Davis Jr as Daddy Burbeck is fantastic, I also really enjoyed Charity's song 'If My Friends Could See Me Now' with the hat and cane. This is a great comedy musical with some very funny scenes and great comic acting; I particularly enjoyed the lift scene which is very funny indeed. This is a good fun musical and one I would like to see on stage as well which is where it originated.
Character/Actors:
Charity Valentine is played by Shirley MacLaine, Charity is a dancer in a club who is looking for love, and she has an optimistic personality and always puts a smile on every ones face. She dreams of meeting s man and falling in love. Shirley MacLaine starred in many Broadway hits prior to Sweet Charity, she has since appeared in many great movies including 'Steel Magnolias', 'Postcards from the edge', 'Bewitched' and 'In her Shoes'.
Oscar Lindquist is played by John McMartin, Oscar is a nervous guy whose worst fear is getting stuck in an elevator - which is exactly what happens the day he meets charity. With Charity's help and encouragement he gets out unscathed, but his heart now belongs to her. John McMartin is also a great Broadway star and originated the role of Oscar.
There are many other characters that the couple meet along the way but one that must get a mention is Mr Daddy Burbeck played by legendary Sammy Davis Jr, Daddy Burbeck runs an alternative church and sings the great musical number 'The Rhythm of Life'. Sammy is as wonderful as ever and gives a fantastic performance of one of the most memorable songs in the show.
This film was directed by Bob Fosse, and this is evident from the style of the film, particularly in the choreography used. Bob Fosse is known for work on Cabaret and Chicago.
The Songs:
You may not have heard of the show but with out a doubt you will recognise the musicals most famous song 'Big Spender', other songs include 'Sweet Charity', 'I love to cry at weddings' and 'There's got to be something better than this' to name but a few.
Where can I buy?
The DVD of Sweet Charity is available from Amazon for £6.99 or new and used from £3.94.
Advantages: Very funny, can be watched over and over Disadvantages: None at all!
...The Green Door
Our Speaker Today
The Weaver's Tale
Suit Yourself
Sweet and Sour Charity
Anniversary
When I'm 65 - Royal Command Performance in the presence of The Queen and Prince Philip
DVD Five - Classics
Backs to the Wall
The Wind Break War
Silly but its Fun
Together the five DVDs have every episode ever made. I am not going to give any descriptions of the episodes in this review as it will make it far to long and boring but I have noticed that each DVD is available separately and as such is listed separately on Ciao so I will actually review the episodes one DVD at a time.
On each DVD there is also an interview with Bob Larbey, some scriptwriters' biographies, filmographies and some production notes. I don't find this sort of thing in the least bit interesting I'm afraid as I had the set to watch the programmes again...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Genre: Musicals & Music Films - Musicals & Other Music Films
Classification: Parental Guidance
Production Year: 1969
Running Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
Plot: A musical version of Neil Simon's Broadway hit with Shirley Maclaine in the title role of a dance-hall hostess who dreams of old-fashioned romance but gives her heart to undeserving men.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS
Release date: 26/07/2004
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: 820 791 8
Barcode: 5050582079180
DVD Description
A musical version of Neil Simon's Broadway hit with Shirley Maclaine in the title role of a dance-hall hostess who dreams of old-fashioned romance but gives her heart to undeserving men.
Special Features: Alternative Ending, Theatrical Trailer, Sweet Charity From The Stage To The Screen, Edith Heads Costume Design The Art Of Exaggeration
Aspect Ratio: 1.78 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround French German Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo English Spanish
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 27/01/2006
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13.03.2008
