Through the Screen Door: What Happened to the Broadway Musical When it Went to Hollywood

by Thomas S. Hischak author of The Oxford Companion to the American Musical

Overview

In this personal and opinionated book Tom Hischak takes a close look at what happens when a Broadway musical goes to Hollywood, and less often when Hollywood comes to Broadway.

The musicals discussed range from The Desert Song (1927), the first sound film of a Broadway musical, to Chicago, the 2002 film made from the 1975 Broadway hit. Film musicals that became Broadway shows range from Lili (1953) to Never Gonna Dance (2003). The book assumes a basic familiarity with famous musicals (for example the plot of My Fair Lady is summed up in a sentence or two) but lesser known works are fully explained. One chapter looks at British musicals that were popular in New York and were later filmed with Hollywood connections.

Also included is a Directory that gives credits, names, and songs for both the stage and screen version for all the musicals discussed. Appendices offer statistical data on musicals, and there is an extensive Bibliography.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810850187
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/08/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.80(d)

About the Author

Thomas S. Hischak is professor of theatre at State University of New York at Cortland. He is the author of fifteen books, including Enter the Players: New York Stage Actors in the Twentieth Century (Scarecrow Press, 2003). Hischak is also winner of a Choice "Outstanding Academic Book" award.

Table of Contents

Part 1 The Swinging Door: An Introduction Part 2 Chapter 1: Sometimes the Melody Doesn't Linger On Part 3 Chapter 2: How Boy Met Girl Part 4 Chapter 3: Close Copies Part 5 Chapter 4: Star Light, Star Bright Part 6 Chapter 5: Ah, Sweet Operetta! Part 7 Chapter 6: Waiting for the Revues to Come Out Part 8 Chapter 7: Too Hot to Handle Part 9 Chapter 8: Why Can't the English? Part 10 Chapter 9: What Were They Thinking? Part 11 Chapter 10: In for the Long Run Part 12 Chapter 11: Reverse Order Part 13 Musicals Directory Part 14 Appendixes Chapter 15 A. Nonmusical Films That Were Turned into Broadway and Off-Broadway Musicals Chapter 16 B. Nonmusical Plays That Were Turned into Movie Musicals Chapter 17 C. Academy-Award Winning Musicals Chapter 18 D. Tony Award-Winning Musicals Part 19 Bibliography Part 20 Index Part 21 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

If you know someone who delights in musicals, Thomas S. Hischak's book Through the Screen Door would make a fine gift.

The Syracuse Post-Standard/Stars

...the process of transferring from stage to screen is particularly fascinating, and is chronicled here in astonishing detail...Written with enthusiasm and understanding, the catalogue of fudged opportunities and moments of 'scar-winning glory will earn raves from theatre-goers and movie fans alike. Four Stars!

Film Review

...hilarious, and loads of fun...

Living Out - Steven LaVigne

This informative book covers every Broadway musical adapted for the screen.

Playbill - Louis Botto

Essential.

Choice Reviews

Hischak...examines 176 Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals that were translated into film versions in Hollywood, ranging from The Desert Song (1927) to the 2002 hit, Chicago; ten British musicals that were once popular in New York and later filmed with Hollywood connections; and 15 Broadway shows based on movie musicals. The author considers the changes each musical underwent and the results of those changes, both in terms of artistic achievement and audience satisfaction. Academic but accessible to theatergoers, moviegoers, film and/or theater students, and those in the theater and film businessss

Reference and Research Book News

...this is an eye-opener, and entertaining to boot.

Stage Directions

Essential.

Choice

Essential.

CHOICE

This informative book covers every Broadway musical adapted for the screen.--Louis Botto "Playbill "

...hilarious, and loads of fun...--Steven LaVigne "Living Out "

...the process of transferring from stage to screen is particularly fascinating, and is chronicled here in astonishing detail...Written with enthusiasm and understanding, the catalogue of fudged opportunities and moments of Oscar-winning glory will earn raves from theatre-goers and movie fans alike. Four Stars!--Film Review

From the Publisher

...hilarious, and loads of fun...
— Steven LaVigne

Living Out

This informative book covers every Broadway musical adapted for the screen.
— Louis Botto

Playbill