Thank you for this, Fiddler on the Roof, is my favorite film. I absolutely love musicals! I was totally shocked to find out that Hello Dolly, was not a hit. I love it, it's in my top 5 favs. We just lost Topol at the beginning of the month 3/8/23, may he rest in Peace.🌹
Excellent job! I remember my grandfather taking me to see "Fiddler" in one of those old movie palaces with statues and a ceiling filled with stars. It was magical. I cried like a baby at the end of act 1 and at the finale. I would love to see your take on "Jesus Christ Superstar".
Jeff!! I don't know if you'll remember me, but you actually directed me in a production of The Wild Party back in 2011. So many happy memories flooded my brain upon seeing your name. Thank you so much for watching the video and sharing your memories of seeing Fiddler. I hope you're well! 💕
Babble aside, i as gentile Catholic kid with 1920s parents grew up on Musicals and this is one of the best. I love Topals performance and movie critics are erudite kill joys.
Very interesting and right on the money. I don’t know how old you but one of the first movies I remember seeing was The Music Man. From there I fell in love with film and musicals in particular. I well recall the huge successes and box office disappointments of the 60s, as well as the emergence of the New Hollywood. Seeing Fiddler on the Roof in 1971 with relatives brings a huge smile comes to my face. My uncle Louis was much like Tevye and his unabashed reactions watching the film was a prime example of how a movie could touch one’s soul. I don’t know how many times my aunt told him to shush. I will say one thing, whether successful financially or not, I’m glad all those films were made and around today. Whether liked or not, they show a quality of filmmaking and artistry that has been lost.
Thanks for the information. Fiddler on the roof is my number one favourite movie untill now. I never get bore to watch it .And the main reason I really enjoy is Tevye. Also Mr Chaim Topol really great make that character so alive.
You 're so right in your praise of the movie (and its place in cinema), and I want to study it more closely now. I love the context you provide and how you show the interconnectedness of the musical and non-musical films surrounding it. Most of all you bring home the heroic knowing and understanding Norman Jewison possessed!
I dare say Fiddler on the Roof is not just a stand alone musical masterpiece, but creates a place as one of the greatest Cinematic masterpieces of all time. I guess you can tell I LOVE IT!!
I forget which documentary it was, but one of the producers said after a Japanese-language adaptation premiered in Tokyo he had audience members coming up to him after the show ended and demanding to know how they'd set such an authentically Japanese story in a Jewish small town in Russia circa 1900. He said they've gotten that same question from people all over the world, no matter where they were or what language the story was being presented in. Themes of culture clash and the tension between between conserving old ways in a world that's changing whether you like it or not are universal, and the weird paradox of art is the more specific the story is, the more universal it becomes. I never thought about how Fiddler sits right when that shift was happening in show business-- brilliant.
Excellent job on covering the rich & complex context as well as the powerful details of this classic film of a uniquely beloved & perrennial musical. This should become required watching in film history coursss.
Thank you. Great analysis. Addendum: although the film is comparatively "muted" in its cinematography, the use of colour is arguably more naturally "heightened" (if that makes sense).
Nero actually could, but the director preferred to dub - and picked the beautiful high baritone voice of Gene Merlino, who sang Lancelot's songs on a par with Robert Goulet's legendary performances.
Fiddler on the Roof wasn't the only big successful musical movie released in 1971. It was also the year of Bedknobs & Broomsticks, which was initially conceived as a lavish Roadshow musical in the vein of Hello Dolly and Oliver! Bedknobs is even a magpie of a musical in so much as how much of its content was lifted from other musical movies prior. Willy Wonka did flop though.
That movie didn't have any big, budget breaking stars in it (for example producer John Wolf originally wanted Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor to play Sikes and Nancy but director Carol Reed deterred him from that proposition). It was even more profitable than Funny Girl which made $58 million against a $14.5 million budget.
I wouldn't be too rough on Rodgers and Hammerstein. Instead, think of R&H as pioneers for paving the way for the New Hollywood. Can the author of this post say ''South Pacific'' didn't confront racism as a major theme, especially with the song, ''You've Got to be Carefully Taught?'' All through,first the play and later the film, Nellie Forbush and Lt. Cable are forced to examine their souls for the ways THEY we're taught. When Dick Rodgers and Oscar Hammerrstein presented their adaptation of James Michener's book, ''Tales of the South Pacific,'' producers of the play wanted to cut ''You've Got to be Carefully Taught '' R&H said the song stayed in. I understand the enthusiasm for the demise of the Hayes Code. I was a young man back then and my desire for intellectual freedom as well as a bow to horniness was accepted with gratitude and a call to action. However, as we are also taught, let's not turn to stereotypes, for that, too, is intellectual dishonesty. Rodgers and Hammerstein we're far from a trip into bubble gum.
The ultra Orthodox Jewish community still does arranged marriages. The key difference is that the couple has veto power. They meet once (maybe twice) and talk. If they don’t feel right it goes back to the community matchmaking system.
Thank you for this, Fiddler on the Roof, is my favorite film. I absolutely love musicals!
I was totally shocked to find out that Hello Dolly, was not a hit. I love it, it's in my top 5 favs.
We just lost Topol at the beginning of the month 3/8/23, may he rest in Peace.🌹
I know! I was so sad to hear
Topol was great but I always wish we'd seen him in more roles.
@@colinmacdonald5732
I absolutely agree!
Excellent job!
I remember my grandfather taking me to see "Fiddler" in one of those old movie palaces with statues and a ceiling filled with stars.
It was magical.
I cried like a baby at the end of act 1 and at the finale.
I would love to see your take on "Jesus Christ Superstar".
Jeff!! I don't know if you'll remember me, but you actually directed me in a production of The Wild Party back in 2011. So many happy memories flooded my brain upon seeing your name. Thank you so much for watching the video and sharing your memories of seeing Fiddler. I hope you're well! 💕
I second this! Please look at JCSS
“MGM’s Xanadu had met its Rosebud” You’re such a NERD, I love you
To bad that this movie wasn't a big hit.i love the music in this movie.mainly that i love elo music
MGM didn't produce ''Xanadu.'' It was a Universal film.
This film is part of my DNA.
Babble aside, i as gentile Catholic kid with 1920s parents grew up on Musicals and this is one of the best. I love Topals performance and movie critics are erudite kill joys.
I LOVE THIS MOVIE ITS A CLASSIC
AN AMAZING PIECE OF CINEMA
LOVE THE STORY AND THE MUSIC IS JUST OUT OF THIS WORLD
R I P TOPAL 🙏💙
Topol was a great singer, actor, and man!
Very interesting and right on the money. I don’t know how old you but one of the first movies I remember seeing was The Music Man. From there I fell in love with film and musicals in particular. I well recall the huge successes and box office disappointments of the 60s, as well as the emergence of the New Hollywood. Seeing Fiddler on the Roof in 1971 with relatives brings a huge smile comes to my face. My uncle Louis was much like Tevye and his unabashed reactions watching the film was a prime example of how a movie could touch one’s soul. I don’t know how many times my aunt told him to shush. I will say one thing, whether successful financially or not, I’m glad all those films were made and around today. Whether liked or not, they show a quality of filmmaking and artistry that has been lost.
The Music Man was the first musical I can remember seeing as well!
Thanks for the information. Fiddler on the roof is my number one favourite movie untill now. I never get bore to watch it .And the main reason I really enjoy is Tevye. Also Mr Chaim Topol really great make that character so alive.
SO GLAD YOURE BACK!!!
What a terrific video and topic. Loved it!
You 're so right in your praise of the movie (and its place in cinema), and I want to study it more closely now. I love the context you provide and how you show the interconnectedness of the musical and non-musical films surrounding it. Most of all you bring home the heroic knowing and understanding Norman Jewison possessed!
I didn't know Fiddler was released after Dolly - what a nice send-off to the genre. Great video!
I dare say Fiddler on the Roof is not just a stand alone musical masterpiece, but creates a place as one of the greatest Cinematic masterpieces of all time. I guess you can tell I LOVE IT!!
I forget which documentary it was, but one of the producers said after a Japanese-language adaptation premiered in Tokyo he had audience members coming up to him after the show ended and demanding to know how they'd set such an authentically Japanese story in a Jewish small town in Russia circa 1900. He said they've gotten that same question from people all over the world, no matter where they were or what language the story was being presented in.
Themes of culture clash and the tension between between conserving old ways in a world that's changing whether you like it or not are universal, and the weird paradox of art is the more specific the story is, the more universal it becomes. I never thought about how Fiddler sits right when that shift was happening in show business-- brilliant.
Insanely well researched video. Subbed! Hope your channel grows quickly.
Excellent job on covering the rich & complex context as well as the powerful details of this classic film of a uniquely beloved & perrennial musical. This should become required watching in film history coursss.
I love him in Fiddler.
What a great presentation!!! Thank you!!!!
You've earned my subscription in just one video. Well done.
Same here!
👏👏👏👏
Fiddler on the Roof stands done - as much as I love westside fair lady or sounds of music -Fiddler on the Roof has a heart like no other film
Excellent video!
Shank "New Hollywood" this movie is a total classic, brilliant!
Tradition! Tradition!
Thank you. Great analysis. Addendum: although the film is comparatively "muted" in its cinematography, the use of colour is arguably more naturally "heightened" (if that makes sense).
Thanks.
I’m surprised Camelot was such a box office flop, it’s one of my favorite films and was beautifully made with a fantastic cast.
🤨Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero could not sing.....🙁...in a musical.......🤔.
Nero actually could, but the director preferred to dub - and picked the beautiful high baritone voice of Gene Merlino, who sang Lancelot's songs on a par with Robert Goulet's
legendary performances.
Fiddler on the Roof wasn't the only big successful musical movie released in 1971. It was also the year of Bedknobs & Broomsticks, which was initially conceived as a lavish Roadshow musical in the vein of Hello Dolly and Oliver! Bedknobs is even a magpie of a musical in so much as how much of its content was lifted from other musical movies prior. Willy Wonka did flop though.
Oliver! won best picture for 1968 and made $77 million against a $10 million budget.
That movie didn't have any big, budget breaking stars in it (for example producer John Wolf originally wanted Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor to play Sikes and Nancy but director Carol Reed deterred him from that proposition). It was even more profitable than Funny Girl which made $58 million against a $14.5 million budget.
I wouldn't be too rough on Rodgers and Hammerstein. Instead, think of R&H as pioneers for paving the way for the New Hollywood. Can the author of this post say ''South Pacific'' didn't confront racism as a major theme, especially with the song, ''You've Got to be Carefully Taught?'' All through,first the play and later the film, Nellie Forbush and Lt. Cable are forced to examine their souls for the ways THEY we're taught. When Dick Rodgers and Oscar Hammerrstein presented their adaptation of James Michener's book, ''Tales of the South Pacific,'' producers of the play wanted to cut ''You've Got to be Carefully Taught '' R&H said the song stayed in. I understand the enthusiasm for the demise of the Hayes Code. I was a young man back then and my desire for intellectual freedom as well as a bow to horniness was accepted with gratitude and a call to action. However, as we are also taught, let's not turn to stereotypes, for that, too, is intellectual dishonesty. Rodgers and Hammerstein we're far from a trip into bubble gum.
Yeah, Fiddler is very much a musical in the R&H…tradition.
❤
The ultra Orthodox Jewish community still does arranged marriages. The key difference is that the couple has veto power. They meet once (maybe twice) and talk. If they don’t feel right it goes back to the community matchmaking system.
I LOVED Camelot! It was a flop?!
The critics' opinions are the real flops!
Yes but, then there were the pogroms in Russia 😖😖😞😞
26:06 “If we look at three major movie musical releases …”
… they’re all Jewish-themed? 😃
Topol miscast? 🤣🤣
funny enough that way of life is died nobody does that stuff anymore