“On the Twentieth Century” from On the Twentieth Century (1978)
This full-steam-ahead bundle of locomotive wackiness won the Tony for Best Score and it’s no wonder: From the moment Cy Coleman’s piston-packed, mock operetta starts, we know we’re in for an evening of delightful lunacy. The story follows the exploits of a failed theater director trying to woo his ex-lover-turned-movie star back to the stage, all while traveling on a rumbling luxury liner. Twentieth Century boasted Imogene Coco in the uproarious role as a religious zealot wrecking havoc on board. Look closely and you’ll recognize a young Kevin Kline, who won a Tony for his role as an arrogant paramour.
Lefty
There’s two stories next to this one, both with hot young topless dudes in them… and I click on this one first.
I think I’m getting old… 🙁
Jono
Applause is soooooooooo painful. God bless Lauren Bacall.
w.e.
My God these clips are older than dirt.
Hello
Thanks! Very entertaining.
Continuum
If showstopper means schmalzy, corny, and over the top, then I guess these are are showstoppers. Standard boring broadway harmonies. Meaningless lyrics. My God, even the dancing is stilted and lifeless compared to the modern broadway musical.
In no way do they compare with “Dreamgirls”, “Wicked”, “Les Miz”, or even “The Book of Mormon”. Or, for that matter “42nd Street”.
Give me “West Side Story” or “Sound of Music”.
There’s a good reason that these 5 so-called showstoppers are forgotten.
Lefty
@Continuum: You, sir, cannot tell shit from shinola.
Good day…
LadyL
@Lefty: I have no idea who you are, but I love you 🙂
LadyL
Oh, that was fun! Thanks so much for posting these! No idea they’d tried to turn “The World of Henry Orient,” one of my favorite films, into a stage musical. Little Alice Playten was a powerhouse–wish I could have seen “Henry, Sweet Henry” just once, even if it did flop (Well, of course it did. What made anyone think Don Ameche could replace the inspired Peter Sellers?) Watching an exuberant Bacall and company, I was 12 again. And am I mistaken? or did I spy a young Tommy Tune tap-dancing his heart out somewhere behind the amazing Ruby Keeler..?
SpudStudScott
I think they were fun, but noticeably absent was the marvelous number from GRAND HOTEL, “Take a Glass, Together” with Michael Jeter and Brent Barrett. What a fun romp.
DouggSeven
Someone call my mom and tell her I’m not gay. None of those did anything for me. The old lady in the last one is clearly lip syncing.
Owen
Anyone notice a very young Kevin Kline in the “Twentieth Century” number..?
JB
@DouggSeven: Firstly, the “old lady” you so kindly refer to is the legendary Lauren Bacall. Secondly, as was noted in the description, this video is taken from the television-movie version of the show, not the actual show itself, so of course she was lip syncing. Unless you think actors in movie-musicals are recorded live as they film (and then re-film, and re-film, and re-film…) it’s not really shocking.
stagequeen
Wait a minute — I don’t get it, the article says “unscramble” the neon letters in the back for a gay message but there’s nothing to unscramble — doesn’t it just say “gay power”?