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If you want to see what could be classed as the 'stage' version of GYPSY this is the film for you.

If you enjoy(ed) listing to the MERMAN recording of GYPSY then you really enjoy watching MIDLER as Gypsy's mother, ROSE. It's my opinion that Midler has the volume, vibrato and presents that Merman once had.

It's not often these days, when listening to update versions of musicals, that I get that tingling sensation that makes the hair on my neck tingle but Bette Midler certainly shows her talents in this movie -see how you like them apples.....

I know you may not like it, but for me Ms. Midler is the definitive "Gypsy".

I like the Rosalind Russell version a lot(I perhaps prefer it just a tad) and Russell in it, but this Gypsy has a lot to recommend. It is not quite on par with the musical itself(neither film version is) which is a masterpiece of character and music, but it has its spirit, heart and charm. The spirit is droll and sincere and the story has so much heart to it. The music is wonderful and the lyrics positively delight. The production values are kitsch, bright and colourful. While I prefer Malden and Wood in their respective roles in the 1962 film, Peter Reigert(though his singing leaves a lot to be desired) and Cynthia Gibb are truly charming and entertaining, and Christine Ebersole steals all her scenes. If there are any preferences I have at all over the 1962 film, it is the staging and choreography, which is less clunky and moves more effortlessly, and Bette Midler's singing, Russell's was raspy and off-key sometimes whereas Midler's is big and brassy. Midler is just superb as Mama Rose, although Russell was superb also Midler's Mama Rose is truer to what Mama Rose should be like. Overall, a fine Gypsy. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, who painted a much more affectionate picture of their mother than did her sister, actress "Baby" June Havoc, in her autobiography, "Early Havoc" on which "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" was loosely based. I saw Ethyl Merman in the original Broadway production of Gypsy, and she was great as "Mama Rose" but certainly more "Merman" than Rose. I was disappointed with Rosalind Russell's portrayal in the 1962 movie version. An otherwise excellent actress, Russell was a very wooden substitute for Merman. Bette Midler, by contrast, was better and more believable than Merman and I'd recommend her performance as the definitive one.

The '90s was such a wasteland for musicals--with Disney animation at least restoring some luster by way of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING etc. But live-action? Not a prayer. Yet with GYPSY, a modestly budgeted TV-movie version of the Broadway show, with a first rate cast and crew, did an exceptional job showing how such things can still happen. Midler was the necessary powerhouse as Mama Rose, and the entire cast held their own just fine. A musical shouldn't have to be bogged down with socio-political baggage to make it relevant nowadays--a production like this shows what sheer showmanship and celebration of music and dance can still be all about, albeit derived from a forty year-old source. To see a renewal of this kind of exuberant entertainment would be a wonderful thing; at least this GYPSY shows how it can still work.

"Gypsy" is possibly the greatest musical ever written, so it's too bad that it's film version was such a disappointment. To make up for that, we have this re-make which, if not flawless, is an enjoyable and well done adaption of the musical. The script is completely accurate, all the songs included, and the staging remains close to the original Jerome Robbins' staging. Bette Midler is a deft choice for Rose, her singing and personality Merman-esquire, and her acting splendid. Peter Reigert is a fine Herby, if not a great singer, and Cynthia Gibb is a straight forward, natural Louise. In truth, a live taping of the 1989 revival with Tyne Daly might have been a better idea, if only because "Gypsy" is simply more exciting on stage, But this film is a fine translation of a great musical.

This is easily one of my favorite musicals of all time. Bette Midler comes as close to real magic on screen as anyone has in her turn as Gypsy Lee's blustery, bosomy, brave and very scary mother. She evokes a sense of desperation that is at times both comic and tragic but always genuine and quite beautiful. Such charm and grit she is indeed a pioneer woman without a frontier. That frontier is discovered for the children. Who in turn must forge their own in a world ruled by their domineering mother.

This particular version is, as I understand it, in it's entirety including the brilliant choreography of Jerome Robbins, as well as the original stage directions.

Despite stellar orchestrations and a more faithful screenplay to the original Broadway production, this version of Gypsy suffers from a not-so-solid leading lady and a super cheap, dull production.

On paper, Bette Midler seems ideal. She's loud, brassy, fun, can sing like an angel, and is a pretty great actress. Well, I don't know what went wrong, but Midler is terribly uneven. Don't get me wrong, she has her moments (the quieter scenes between Rose and Herbie, the songs "small World", "You'll Never Get Away From Me", and "Small World (reprise)", etc.), but all in all, she butchers her two biggest numbers ("Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Rose's Turn") by over telegraphing and hamming them up. During the film's finale, it's actually pretty embarrassing to see such a talented actress deliver such a wonderfully written monologue in such a one note and goofy fashion. She reads more like a cartoon than a human being.

Is it Bette's fault or the directors? Apparently, the director was dying during production and wasn't able to be as present as he'd hoped, so that left Bette to essentially direct herself, which is never a good idea given the heft of her role. This leaves us with one hell of a strange, over the top, and campy performance that isn't even enjoyable on a "so bad, it's good" level.

Without a solid Madame Rose to lead the cast, poor Peter Reigert and Cynthia Gibb have very little to play off of. They both have their moments as well, but they can only do so much without a strong Rose to back them up.

The production values are cheap and tacky, not to mention overly colorful for a tale about parental neglect and lost dreams. It's just a huge missed opportunity. The sets and furnishing would have probably been more at home in a Tim Burton movie than a fairly realistic musical.

One wishes the marvelous Tyne Daly had been able to recreate her brilliant performance in this TV version. While not possessing the strongest voice, she gave Rose more pathos than anyone else I've ever seen.

It's not all bad, though. The orchestrations are lovely and brassy and the screenplay is much more faithful to the stage version than the equally disappointing 1962 movie version starring Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood.

Worth a look for more forgiving Bette Midler fans.

I thought this was pretty wonderful when I first saw it on TV in the 90's, but it does not stand the test of time. Most of its problems involve casting. Bette Midler is one powerhouse performer, so it seems odd that other the two other key roles, particularly Cynthis Gibb as the eventual Gypsy Rose Lee, are cast and played so blandly. They're not bad so much as they are boring. The most enjoyable performances come from those in smaller roles. Christine Ebersole is a lot of fun as Tessie Tura, one of the strippers with a gimmick, as are Michael Jeter and Andrea Martin. And that brings us to Midler. She has some fine moments, but she also has many that just don't work very well at all. She plays it too big for the small screen some of the time. Sometimes she seems to be auditioning for Norma Desmond, long before there was in reality a musical about Desmond and I'm not sure what those fake teeth were for?! She can sing the wonderful songs though and never have I heard someone sound so much like the original, Ethel Merman. Not sure if that's intentional or not, but either way, it works. Many consider this musical, on stage, to be the great American musical. I don't really agree, but there is no criticizing the awesome score. So strange that this giant of the theater has had such difficulty being filmed. There is this and then there is a 1962 film version and that is all she wrote regarding filming this. I haven't any idea if the first filming was a commercial success or not, but I do know that it was not a critical one. However, it has, like so many old films, become more well liked with time. Nostalgia is strong, I guess. I loved Rosalind Russell, but this wasn't her finest moment and Natalie Wood just wasn't all that good. One would think that someone would finally make a great film with this material. But, we wait.

Bette Midler is the best thing about this movie. It is a POOR second to the original from 1962 with Natalie Wood as Gypsy. The songs were done much better in the original and the costumes were better. Bette's voice was great and she looked better in most of the costumes compared to Cynthia Gibb. Only someone who has not seen the original would think this a good movie.

There was not enough of a change between ugly duckling to beautiful girl. When Natalie Wood was Gypsy she only was seen as beautiful when she got into the dress with her gloves for the first time to perform in the burlesque show. When she has her hair down and then magically it is all done up beautifully and she looks so elegant, it is an important aspect to the movie because it is also the first time Gypsy sees herself as something special and that she might actually be a star, not just a poor substitute to her sister. And the scenes where she slowly becomes more famous were rushed through. It was an important part of the movie and they butchered it. It is critical to show her becoming more comfortable with her future as a stripper and the costumes are amazing in these scenes in the original. It was a huge let down to watch it unfold in this movie. I was completely disappointed and had it not been for Bette Midler I would have shut the movie off.

This is one of the best TV productions of a musical ever. I have heard the Merman cast album, the Angela Lansbury album, I have seen Tyne Daly live, and I've seen the Rosalind Russell movie countless times. I think Bette is if not the best, then tied with the best. She captures not just the bravura, but also the pathos of Mama Rose. I was never a Natalie Wood fan, so I really enjoyed Cynthia Gibb, in what is arguably her best role. Everything from the costumes to the sets to the supporting performances is wonderful. The three strippers, led by the always-dependable Christine Ebersole are hard to top. There was supposed to be a TV production of Mame a few years back, with Cher, but I think Bette would be the best bet (pun intended) for Auntie Mame.

*The whereabouts of Al Capone

*Who shot JFK?

*Cynthia Gibb lands the part of "Gypsy" in the TV remake

These are some of the great unsolved mysteries of the 20th century. How else can I say it, except, I thought she was unredeemingly awful. Mannequin mannerisms, poor reactionary acting (ie: that blank, stoic stare while he co-star in the scene speaks)and a singing voice that most voice coaches would rate "mediocre". But she is stunningly gorgeous and after all, wasn't that what the Gypsy character is all about? Cashing in on her looks cuz' she didn't cut the mustard in the talent department?

As for the rest... Bette is fantastic. Whether or not she's playing herself or playing Mama Rose, it works either way, and I for one thought Rosalind Russell was as exciting as drywall in the original. Peter Riegart as "Herbie" is the perfect understated foil to Bette's over-the-top Mama, and he's the medium-temperature porridge between Midler's hot dish and Gibb's stone cold mush. Riegart is juuuust right.

One final holler to the man responsible for decades to come of Cher jokes: Bob Mackie. Drag queens would kill for the glitz and glamour on display here. Everything's coming up sequins and bugle beads!

Such a highly-anticipated remake of a cherished musical classic and such a bitter pill it was to have to take. Very, very hard to swallow...all of it. It didn't have an ounce of believability anywhere. And when you don't have a Rose, you don't have a show.

Bette Midler seemed born to play this part. Yet, all she was able to produce was a cute, funny, glitzy, trademark Bette Midler...weighed down with all the familiar Midlerisms. Roz Russell has nothing to worry about. She can rest in her grave knowing she is still the definitive Mama Rose (of film, anyway).

I thought Midler was really going to put it across this time...to throw herself into what is one of the greatest musical roles of all time...like she did in "The Rose." But, no, she played it safe. She played herself. She made Rose a total dinner-theatre cartoon. Even her songs were uninspired. It was maddening to watch, knowing Midler has the talent to rise above her money-making schtick. She showed promise only once in this "Gypsy" and that was with "Rose's Turn." But, by then it was too little, too late.

A sincere Cynthia Gibb as the titular heroine gave the film its only true spark and when the role of Gypsy outshines that of Rose, you know there's trouble in River City.

A huge, huge letdown.

I saw Tyne Daly in the 1991 Broadway revival of this classic and timeless musical. Tyne was fantastic so I hesitated to see the television movie with Bette Midler. Every actress has interpreted Mama Rose in their own way. Bette Midler won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance. This television adaptation is faithful to the musical production. I don't recall any outdoor scenes here and that's the only flaw. Bette Midler soars in the role. Cynthia Gibb is marvelous as Louise who becomes Gypsy Rose Lee. Peter Riegert was perfect as Herbie. It has a terrific supporting cast including Tony Shaloub, Michael Jeter, Ed Asner, Christine Ebersole and Andrea Martin. The director was the late Emile Ardolino (Dirty Dancing) and this film is dedicated in his memory. Bette Midler should have played this role on Broadway as well. She is electrifying and horrifying as the ultimate stage mother. Thankfully this version of Gypsy is on DVD and will be preserved forever as the faithful version to the musical.

Bette Midler stars in this production of the much loved musical that starred Ethel Merman on Broadway and Rosalind Russell in the film version.

Everyone knows the plot. Mama Rose (Midler) is the ultimate stage mother who pushes her two daughters onto any stage she can find. Eventually Baby June becomes a Vaudeville star with sister Louise in the background. Years later and with Vaudeville dying, June runs off, leaving Mama and Louise to fend for themselves.

After years of being a flop, they land in Burlesque and Louise reinvents herself as Gypsy Rose Lee and becomes a star stripper. But the mother never lets go, living her dreams through her kids. Baby June, by the way, went on to become June Havoc.

Midler is terrific as Mama Rose with Cynthia Gibb as the grown Louise and Peter Riegert as Herbie. The bawdy strippers played by Christine Ebersole, Linda Hart, and Anna McNeely shine in the "You Gotta Have a Gimmick" number.

There's also Edward Asner, Tony Shalhoub, Andrea Martin, Michael Jeter, and Jeffrey Broadhurst as Tulsa.

It's a show biz world that doesn't exist anymore, and this great show with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim immortalizes it with much love. The show is gritty and grimy and ballsy and a pleasure to behold. And brava to Bette Midler!

Much better than the 1962 movie. If only Natalie Wood could have been in this version because Cynthia Gibb is pretty awful..

Watching this on Comcast On-Demand.

Every time I see this musical, I am amazed at the songs...one show-stopper after another.

This interpretation is, for me, magical. The songs sparkle...the vocals, orchestrations, and choreography are amazing for a "made-for-TV" movie...better than many stage versions I have seen.

The debate over Bette just doesn't make sense. She is Mamma. Her voice is brilliant and yet full of the pathos of the stage mother living through her daughters. I still get tears at the end when she finally has her moment of glory, no matter how faded that glory is.

The Tulsa/Louise duet/dance is on now. Fabulous.

Stephen Sondheim is the King of musical theatre. His lyrics just roll off the tongue like silk...Styne's music is perhaps the best ever penned for the stage/screen.

Thank God we have this masterpiece of the American Musical Theatre captured on DVD.

Too often screen adaptations of musicals compromise, but this is one of those rare occasions when every ingredient, perfect in itself, comes together and harmonizes perfectly. Midler was born to play this role, and her performance will most likely be remembered as definitive. She is supported by an ideal cast, and the direction and design are tops. It doesn't get any better than this.

Bette, a talented performer and actress --(see the Rose, See Beaches) decides she doesn't have to act or do any character work at all and merely prances about playing herself ruining what could have been a perfect opportunity to shine.

Bette please stop being lazy and resting on your laurels; a fault which many stars and actresses fall into in their later careers and go back to square one and do your acting homework. See the Roz Russell Version. One merely needs to compare any scene and the difference is obvious.

and I for one think that is a good thing. I've just never been a Rosalind Russell fan although the original was my favorite RR movie. But I love Bette and was thrilled to hear she was making this.

As for the rest of the production, I think it was slightly less than the original movie. One of my favorite minor characters in the original was Mazeppa with her scratchy fingernails-on-the-blackboard voice belting out "HEY! It takes a lot more than no talent to be a strippah!" and although I missed it, I was glad to see the producers had the guts not to do a carbon copy.

I also liked the fact there are large portions of this movie which were filmed as if you are looking at a stage, it gives a feeling that you are in the theatre, not just at the movies.

I think the other thing I liked about this production was that there seemed to be slightly less repetition of the song "Let me entertain you", which becomes completely annoying after about the 5th time you hear it.

The film was disappointing. I saw it on Broadway with Bernadette Peters and she was outstanding. Maybe as she, herself graps on to the end of her musical career, her condtion of desperatation lands her in role that she flaunts, re-invents and triumps as her own. Bette's singing is always belted, always flat and lacking to show her ability as an actress. To be entertaining, this performance was dying for a stronger lead and a stronger cast, so that the others would be memorable in Bette's absence. Another criticism: she smiles directly into the camera every time she start singing! I know it is musical theater, but please leave some grace sociale-- Middler cannot perform like Liza or Streisand might in a retrospective tour - out of character and out of context.

While It was great to see Gypsy uncut from stage to screen with the fine "Together" number back in (it was cut from the 1962 version), Bette Mildler peaks too early in the film.Her Mama Rose builds until she sings "Everthings coming up roses" then she has nowhere to go but up. Mildler overacts the second half of the film dreadfully. Roz Russell correctly built her emotional level to peak at the finale, "Rose's Turn" and in so doing she has wonderful depth of character.True Midler sings better than Russell but with less emotion.Peter Reigert is in fine form as Herbie and plays it with more energy than Malden,however lacking Malden's depth of character. in the 1962 film,Cynthia Gibb is a charming Louise and a Gutsy Gypsy. Other high points are Ed Asner's cameo as Pop and the show stopping you gotta get a gimmick song lead by Christine Ebersole. Its a good film that would have benifited from a different leading lady (or one that could take direction?).

I'm not a big fan of movie musicals. "Annie" was a stage show I loved but the movie was a flop. The "Phantom Of The Opera movies" (and I believe there were three) failed to match the Weber staging. But I LOVED this. The DVD will take a place of honour among my "keepers." Even though it's a movie adaptation, it somehow captures the flavour and the atmosphere of live theatre. Bette Midler, always a treat, is just exceptional in this role. There's great music, lots of laughs and even a tear or two. I've seen most of the big musicals of the eighties and nineties. Somehow I missed this one so there's no comparison to make. But if it gets revived I shall be first in line for tickets! But this movie is so good, I'll be in the odd position of wondering if the stage production will measure up to the movie.

My sister and I are huge fans of Burlesque and musicals and had never heard of this movie before this week. We loved the music and dance numbers, the story was also great. Definitely replacing one of my top five favorite musicals. ^_^