Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003)
Broadway: The Golden Age is the most important, ambitious and comprehensive film ever made about America's most celebrated indigenous art form. Award-winning filmmaker Rick McKay filmed over 100 of the greatest stars ever to work on Broadway or in Hollywood. He soon learned that great films can be restored, fine literature can be kept in print - but historic Broadway performances of the past are the most endangered. They leave only memories that, while more vivid, are more difficult to preserve. In their own words — and not a moment too soon — Broadway: The Golden Age tells the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theatre. This is the largest cast of legends ever in one film.
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Reviews
Slow pace in the most part of the movie.
I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
I just purchased the DVD. Have watched it twice already. That is my era. Many of my favorites such as Eva Marie Saint, Patricia Neal, Kim Hunter, Maureen Stapleton, Julie Harris were just a few of the on-camera people speaking about that time. I just hung on every word. Especially great, in my opinion, was the Kim Stanley tribute and seeing Barbara Bel Geddes in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Just a little bit of Geraldine Page. All of the above are New York City ladies. GREAT.This film was put together by someone who really knows and loves theater. You can just feel it.I am so glad he did it when he did, as a couple of years later, some more have passed away.Dick
Fascinating documentary with the actors and actresses of Broadway's "Golden Age" (late 1940s-late 1960s) talking about their experiences on stage, who influenced them, how they got into the business etc etc. What's truly incredible is when they compare and contrast how Broadway was back then and how it is now. They were a close-knit family back then; they didn't need mikes to project their voices throughout the theatre; the incredibly low ticket prices back then as compared to now...The picture isn't perfect...it's not done chronologically and there's no historical or sociological perspective. Still there's rare live footage of some of the Broadway shows and all the stories are just incredible. It makes one feel sad to realize we'll never see a world like that again. Everybody is good but Elaine Stritch is an absolute howl! A must see for all Broadway fans. A 10 all the way.
Saw this film recently in a festival and thought, "Thank God for festivals, for where else would I ever see this film?!" But, the filmmaker did an interview with the audience afterwards and said that a distribution company has taken the film and it is going to open in theaters around the country this summer. What great news!This is a movie every young person should see who likes movies, tv or theater. It is so inspiring and it truly captures the brilliance of great actors, singers, writers and composers. I always thought the world would continue to create great creative geniuses who came to places like New York and made history, but it doesn't seem to be any more. Much like the people in this film, "I thought it would go on forever."But, this movie makes me feel optimistic again because any time you see something this powerful (and this is a powerful movie) I begin to believe again in the hope of great art, whether on stage or film or tv or maybe the next era is digital video. Who knows? But, run don't walk to see this movie if it opens anywhere near you!
Rick Mc Kay has given worldwide, movie audiences a glorious gift: "Broadway: The Golden Age". It's a Treasure of New York, The Theatre, Americana, Gypsies, Histories, and Dreams come true, by the dreamers who dreamed them, lived them, and vividly recount them, thanks to Mc Kay. "Broadway: The Golden Age" is a rich, reel legacy I wish everyone, everywhere could experience.