Gypsy (1962)

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Arthur Laurents (book)
Gypsy Rose Lee (memoirs)

Release Date:

1 November 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Musical

Tagline:

Let this tuneful Broadway classic entertain you.

Plot:

Based on the Broadway hit about the life and times of burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee and her aggressive stage mother, Mama Rose.

Plot Keywords:

Burlesque | Stripper | Vaudeville | 1930s | Show Business

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Rosalind Russell	...	Rose Hovick
Natalie Wood	...	Louise Hovick - aka Gypsy Rose Lee
Karl Malden	...	Herbie Sommers
Paul Wallace	...	Tulsa
Betty Bruce	...	Tessie Tura
Parley Baer	...	Mr. Kringelein
Harry Shannon	...	Grandpa
Morgan Brittany	...	'Baby' June (as Suzanne Cupito)
Ann Jillian	...	'Dainty' June (as Ann Jilliann)
Diane Pace	...	'Baby' Louise
Faith Dane	...	Mazeppa
Roxanne Arlen	...	Electra
Jean Willes	...	Betty Cratchitt
George Petrie	...	George
Ben Lessy	...	Mervyn Goldstone

Runtime:

143 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

6-Track Stereo (70 mm prints) | 4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:PG (video) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:11 | USA:Approved | UK:A

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The stage team had hoped that Warner would cast Judy Garland as Mama Rose and Ann-Margret as Gypsy. The two stars had heavy scheduling conflicts, so the production team passed on both.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Rose starts to sing 'Some People', her red bracelet is up towards her right elbow. In the verse, "when I got all the sights to see yet, all the places I gotta play...” she puts her right hand up, the bracelet is back down at her wrist, although we don't see it slide down again in between the shots.

Quotes:

Rose Hovick: [on remarrying] After three husbands, it takes a lot of butter to get you back in the frying pan.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jeffrey (1995)

Soundtrack:

All I Need Is the Girl

Rose! Rose!

This enjoyable class act has Natalie Wood as Gypsy Rose Lee and Rosalind Russell as her overbearing mother Rose. And they are both terrific. Ok, so Russell isn't Ethel Merman and the OBC has that bit of an edge where the songs are concerned, but as an actress she is great in this role, especially in the scenes where June and Louise (Gypsy-to-be) are auditioning and she constantly interrupts; and in the Mr Goldstone number.

Natalie Wood looks the part and gives Louise a sympathetic edge, particularly in 'Little Lamb'. The best musical numbers of the lot though are Tulsa's song and dance number rehearsing his imaginary double act, and the truly brilliant 'You Gotta Have a Gimmick'. It is also a joy to see Karl Malden in a nice supporting role as Rose's long suffering beau Herbie.