Natalie Wood in the 1962 movie version of Gypsy. Louise sees herself as a pretty girl for the first time. Note the caricature of Ethel Merman on the dressing room wall set. A clever set dresser's ironic touch.
MOVIE VERSIONS.
Warner Brothers brought out the movie version of Gypsy in 1962. Rosalind Russell starred as Rose with Karl Malden as Herbie, also playing Uncle Jocko in a turn of events where Rose and Herbie meet for the first time in the opening children's audition scene. Natalie Wood played Louise/Gypsy. Faith Dane, as Miss Mazeppa, and Paul Wallace as Tulsa, both reprised their roles from the original Broadway production. Betty Bruce was a brilliant Tessie Turra and Ann Jillian played Dainty June. Rosalind Russell's singing voice was dubbed by Lisa Kirk with the exception of "Mister Goldstone" and reprise of "Small World".
Ethel Merman had been promised, and always assumed she would play the role she originated, the part of Rose in the movie version when the time came to produce it.
Producer-Director Mervyn LeRoy had promised the role to her and he was visiting her back-stage, during the Broadway run. Often!! LeRoy then went against all plans and signed Rosalind Russell. The fracas that followed was massive.
Ms Russell won a Golden Globe for her performance.
Natalie Wood on set with Gypsy Rose Lee.
Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell.
Interestingly, it's the movie's Musical Director, Frank Perkins, who is shown conducting the Warner Brothers studio orchestra, performing the Overture while the opening credits are being shown, albeit a shorter version of what is often considered, the greatest Overture ever written in musical theatre history with Small World and You'll Never Get Away From Me being omitted. The Australian designer, Orry-Kelly, did the costumes.
The 1993 version was made specially for American television but had cinema release in other parts of the world including Australia. Gypsy Rose Lee's son, Erik Lee Preminger had wanted to do a new movie version of the show with Bette Midler as Rose around ten years before it actually went into production but there were a number of obstacles in his way. One of them was Arthur Laurents. "Over my dead body will they ever make another movie of the show!" Concessions were made and after many phone calls and meetings, the movie was given the rights to go ahead.
Bette Midler in the 1993 movie version with Peter Riegert and Cynthia Gibb. "Everything's Coming Up Roses".
"Rose's Turn" Bette Midler belting it out.
Bette Midler played Rose, Peter Riegert was cast as Herbie and Cynthia Gibb looked great as Louise. For this remake, the entire Overture is heard, compared to the shorter version in the 1962 movie, with actual historic footage of vaudeville performers and strippers being shown during the credits. Emile Ardolino directed and Bonnie Walker reproduced Jerome Robbins' original choreography. Bob Mackie designed the costumes.
In 2011 there was a lot of talking going on and tentative plans were made for yet another movie version, this time with Barbra Streisand in the lead but this has never eventuated.
The 2015 West End revival starring Imelda Staunton was filmed during a 'live' performance at London's Savoy Theatre and broadcast in the U.K. on BBC Four over the 2015 Christmas/New Year period. It was subsequently broadcast on the PBS'Great Performances series in the United States in 2016 and has been released on DVD and Blu-ray.
Peter Davison as 'Herbie' with Imelda Staunton as 'Rose'
Lara Pulver as 'Louise'
Lara transformed into 'Gypsy Rose Lee'
