"Applause" was made as a TV movie in 1973 from the Broadway musical of the same title that ran for 896 performances from 1970 to 1972. The adaptation included most of the original Broadway cast, but Larry Hagman replaced Len Cariou in the role of Bill Sampson. The show and film are a musical version of the 1950 film, "All About Eve," that had an all-star cast and won six Academy Awards. It's a familiar plot which has been adapted a few times in other films over the decades.
The Broadway show won four Tony awards out of 11 nominations, including best musical, best direction of a musical, best choreography and best leading actress in a musical. It was Lauren Bacall's first of two Tony awards as best actress on Broadway. Although all of the cast are good, Bacall is the main reason to see this show, if one can find it. I saw it on DVD that was taped from its TV showing. The copy quality is very poor and the character images are not clear and crisp.
While Bacall and others of the cast can carry a tune, they are not professional singers. Ergo, this play and film don't have the punch and power of the great musicals that have featured professional singers or their voices. The music and dance numbers are good, and the choreography is very good. But, again, this film has the feel of a stage production and the star quality of performers doesn't match that of the great musicals that were made into movies.
The Broadway show won four Tony awards out of 11 nominations, including best musical, best direction of a musical, best choreography and best leading actress in a musical. It was Lauren Bacall's first of two Tony awards as best actress on Broadway. Although all of the cast are good, Bacall is the main reason to see this show, if one can find it. I saw it on DVD that was taped from its TV showing. The copy quality is very poor and the character images are not clear and crisp.
While Bacall and others of the cast can carry a tune, they are not professional singers. Ergo, this play and film don't have the punch and power of the great musicals that have featured professional singers or their voices. The music and dance numbers are good, and the choreography is very good. But, again, this film has the feel of a stage production and the star quality of performers doesn't match that of the great musicals that were made into movies.