Cabaret (1972)

Director:

Bob Fosse

Writers:

Joe Masteroff (book)
John Van Druten (play)

Release Date:

13 February 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

The Award-Winning Smash Hit Musical [UK Video]

Plot:

A female girlie club entertainer in Weimar Republic era Berlin romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them.

Plot Keywords:

Dancer | 1930s | Cabaret | Entertainer | Political Unrest

Awards:

Won 8 Oscars. Another 24 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Liza Minnelli	...	Sally Bowles
Michael York	...	Brian Roberts
Helmut Griem	...	Maximilian von Heune
Joel Grey	...	Master of Ceremonies
Fritz Wepper	...	Fritz Wendel
Marisa Berenson	...	Natalia Landauer
Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel	...	Fräulein Schneider
Helen Vita	...	Fräulein Kost
Sigrid von Richthofen	...	Fräulein Mayr (as Sigrid Von Richthofen)
Gerd Vespermann	...	Bobby
Ralf Wolter	...	Herr Ludwig
Georg Hartmann	...	Willi
Ricky Renée	...	Elke (as Ricky Renee)
Estrongo Nachama	...	Cantor
Kathryn Doby	...	Kit-Kat Dancer

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | Hebrew

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo | Dolby Digital (DVD version)

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:15 (video rating) (1986) | UK:X (original rating) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | Australia:M | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Alter Bahnhof, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Company:

ABC Pictures

Trivia:

Five songs from the original Broadway production did not make it into the movie as "performed" songs, but appear as background music. On Brian's arrival, Sally prepares two Prairie Oysters and puts on a record, which turns out to be "Don't Tell Mama". When Sally tries to seduce Brian and she brings in the gramophone, the song is "It Couldn't Please Me More". This song, once again on gramophone, reappears when Sally is packing for Africa. In the parlor as Sally prepares to leave for dinner with her father, the song being played on the piano is "Married". This song makes a reprise when Sally and Brian talk about getting married, this time on the gramophone in German ("Heiraten") sung by 'GRETA KELLER'. This German version also appears in the park and at the train station. When Max, Brian and Sally have lunch at the fancy restaurant, a small ensemble is playing "Sitting Pretty", which is also heard on the gramophone at Max's estate, when they are dancing. When Brian and Fritz walk into the parlor together and the other tenants are talking about the Nazis, the background music (although faint and barely recognizable) is the song "So What".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Brian thrusts the plate of cake at Sally, the cake slides off the plate and slips down to her lap. In the next shot the cake is up on her chest.

Quotes:

Brian Roberts: You did it, didn't you?
Sally: Did what, darling?
Brian Roberts: The abortion. In God's name, why?
Sally: One of my whims?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Soundtrack:

Tomorrow Belongs To Me

Definitely in the Top 10

I have a very hard time picking a favorite, favorite film, but if forced to create a Top 10 List, this film would be there. Yes, Liza Minnelli CAN act , and brilliantly. The songs are wonderful and funny, the narrative is brilliant and dark. Those who typically don't like musicals might enjoy this, as there are none of those cheesy "I feel a song coming on" moments - - all of the music is confined to the stage of the Kit Kat Klub. Michael York's role is often overshadowed by Minnelli's brassy Sally Bowles, but his work is equally strong. A+.