Annette Funicello (RIP)

Tim Brayton here again. With the cinephile world still reeling from the passing of irreplaceable film critic Roger Ebert a few days before, and The Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher’s death the same day sucking up every available scrap of oxygen in the news cycle, the loss of Annette Funicello on 4 April to the MS that had forced her into retirement over two decades ago was generally reported as a sort of afterthought. A sad thing, but not remotely surprising, and not of particular importance in the grand scheme of things.

While it is true that Funicello’s death doesn’t represent the end of an epoch in quite the same as Ebert’s, it’s still worth stopping and reflecting on her career and what it represents. 

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Smash: "The Bells and Whistles" & "The Parents"

I'm short on time and Smash is trying to burn off its episodes given that two will air this very week. But we've got two to catch up on as well so let's rush through like we're running out of breath on a big note.

Ivy is back to being Marilyn in "Bombshell"

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10th Anniversary: That Jazzy "Chicago" Win

[Editor's Note: You know "Denny" well from the comments section. Since he's a choreographer by trade, I asked him to sound off on Dance in film. Particularly on Chicago since its win was so strangely celebrated at this year's Oscars making the show a weird mix of 2012 & 2002. Take it away, Denny. - Nathaniel R.]

a happy night for CZJ & Friends, March 23rd, 2003

Oh, how I remember the cheers.

I was at an Oscar party with a group of theater friends ten years ago when Rob Marshall’s Chicago became the first musical in thirty-five years to win the Oscar for Best Picture. It’s easy to see why everyone was excited: Following Moulin Rouge! (and to a lesser extent, Hedwig and the Angry Inch) the year before, it was clear that Hollywood was finally interested in live-action musicals not aimed at children again. There hadn’t been a major live-action Hollywood musical aimed at adults since 1996’s divisive Evita, and before that the last one was 1986’s Little Shop of Horrors. The last to receive major awards attention was 1982’s Victor Victoria (or 1983’s Yentl, depending on your definition of “major awards attention”), and a musical hadn’t won the Oscar for Best Picture since 1968’s Oliver!, a much-derided winner in a year that actually saw two musicals nominated for Best Picture (the other being Funny Girl), if you can believe it. more...

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Smash: "Musical Chairs"

"Smash", the confused conflicted self-sabotaging TV Show rife with behind-the-scenes drama is about "Bombshell", a  confused conflicted self-sabotaging Stage Musical rife with behind-the-scenes drama. The TV series has gone so meta lately it's now devouring itself live. Which is turning it into must-see or at least can't-look-away television again.

Backstage at "Liaisons," another show within the show, slumming movie star (Just Jack) has read the online bitching about the show he's starring in and turns to Ivy (Megan Hilty) his supporting actress...

That's "Smash" in a perfectly nutty nutshell. more...

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Win Les Miz on Blu-Ray/DVD

I have three copies of Les Misérables Blu-ray™ Combo Pack to give out to you, the musically inclined readership. But first a brief message from the generous studio who'll send it to you should you win!

Academy Award® nominee Hugh Jackman and Academy Award® winners Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway star in Les Misérables, the critically acclaimed adaptation of the epic musical phenomenon.  Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe), after he breaks parole.  When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. 

 

Les Misérables arrives on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand March 22 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack is loaded with an extra 45 minutes of exclusive content taking viewers behind the scenes of the groundbreaking production for an unmatched entertainment experience and includes a Blu-ray™ disc, DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet™ for the ultimate, complete viewing experience.

Do you hear the people sing... about entering reader appreciation contests?

Here's what you have to do before March 21st at Noon to enter:

1. Send me a message with LES MIZ BLU in the subject line with your name & shipping address (kept private unless you win in which case the studio gets it to send you your gift) and...
2. answer the following three questions (which might be reprinted here):
   1) which type of bread would you bake for Hugh Jackman so he doesn't have to steal a loaf?
   2) which movie prostitute do you most wish had sung deathbed songs before a cruel passing a la Anne Hathaway?
   3) Bring Him Home? (Crowe, Redmayne, Jackman or Tveit?)
3. Not Mandatory.
   For 1 extra entry like TFE on Facebook.
   For 5 extra entries, you can sing your show-tune loving lungs out in a video.

THREE WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN AT RANDOM ON MARCH 21ST. Will You Join In Our CRUSADE Contest? Even if you aren't entering, I expect answers to the bread, hooker, and home-bringing question right here in the comments. You know you wanna