Sweet Charity (1969)

Taxi dancer Charity continues to have Faith in the human race despite apparently endless disappointments at its hands, and Hope that she will finally meet the nice young man to romance her ... See full summary »

Director:

Bob Fosse

Writers:

Neil Simon (from the New York stage production book by), Federico Fellini (based upon the screenplay by: "Nights of Cabiria"),

Stars:

Shirley MacLaine, John McMartin, Ricardo Montalban

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shirley MacLaine	...	Charity
John McMartin	...	Oscar
Ricardo Montalban	...	Vittorio
Sammy Davis Jr.	...	Big Daddy
Chita Rivera	...	Nickie
Paula Kelly	...	Helene
Stubby Kaye	...	Herman
Barbara Bouchet	...	Ursula
Suzanne Charney	...	Dancer (as Suzanne Charny)
Alan Hewitt	...	Nicholsby
Dante DiPaolo	...	Charlie (as Dante D'Paulo)
Bud Vest	...	Dancer
Ben Vereen	...	Dancer
Lee Roy Reams	...	Dancer
Al Lanti	...	Dancer

Storyline

Taxi dancer Charity continues to have Faith in the human race despite apparently endless disappointments at its hands, and Hope that she will finally meet the nice young man to romance her away from her sleazy life. Maybe, just maybe, handsome Oscar will be the one to do it.

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Plot Keywords:

dancer | hope | charity | taxi dancer | depression | 

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Taglines:

...The Musical Excitement of the 70's

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 June 1969 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Sweet Charity: The Adventures of a Girl Who Wanted to Be Loved

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

149 min 154 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Mono (Westrex Recording System) (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chelsea Brown's movie debut.

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Goofs

In the "Aloof" movement of "The Rich Man's Frug," two of the male principal dancers walk down the stairs to light a woman's cigarette, while the others dance behind them. The background choreography in this shot leads directly to the triangle formation of the next shot, and the two men are now in the middle of the group, although there was no time for them to reach that position.

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Quotes

Charity Hope Valentine: Wow, this place is sure full of celebrities. I'm the only one in here I've never heard of.

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Connections

Referenced in Beautiful Thing (1996)

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Soundtracks

"It's a Nice Face"
(uncredited)
Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Performed by Shirley MacLaine

User Reviews

Wonderful Musical with a Heart of Gold!

Fosse's stage production was/is wonderful, but his movie is simply spectacular. He brings to the screen everything he had to leave out for the stage. As "Charity" is based on Fellini's Nights of Cabiria, the result is truly groundbreaking. The sets, scenery, NY locations, costumes, hair, all contribute to demonstrate the bizarre culture of the late '60s. The movie succeeds on many more levels than the stage version. This is not a filmed stage performance, it is every bit a true movie. Shirley MacLaine gives the performance of her career. Her other landmark roles pale in comparison to Charity. Unfortunately, Universal Studios panicked when the film met with some initial negative reaction and the movie was cut, re-edited and even given a different ending. Fosse's gift to the world was his intensely personal artistic integrity. It was impossible for him to be dispassionate in his creations and he must have taken "Charity's" reputation as a failure very personally. Thankfully his original version has been wonderfully preserved for DVD. Now "Sweet Charity" can take it's rightful place in the movie musical hall of fame.