Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003)

In their own words, and not a moment too soon - 'Broadway' tells the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American ... See full summary »

Director:

Rick McKay

Writer:

Rick McKay

Stars:

Edie Adams, Bea Arthur, Elizabeth Ashley

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Edie Adams	...	Herself
Bea Arthur	...	Herself
Elizabeth Ashley	...	Herself
Alec Baldwin	...	Himself
Kaye Ballard	...	Herself
Bryan Batt	...	Himself
Betsy Blair	...	Herself
Jim Borstelmann	...	Himself
Tom Bosley	...	Himself
Marlon Brando	...	Himself (archive footage)
Carol Burnett	...	Herself
Kitty Carlisle	...	Herself
Carol Channing	...	Herself
Betty Comden	...	Herself
Barbara Cook	...	Herself

Storyline

In their own words, and not a moment too soon - 'Broadway' tells the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theatre. This may be the last chance that these stories may be documented, for unlike film and television, live theatre exists only in the memories of those who were there watching, or more importantly, creating this magic. 'Broadway' tells the stories of these legendary performers, composers and writers while illustrating their tales with amazing, rare, archival performance footage and these legends' own home movies and photos.

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Plot Keywords:

legend | great white way | broadway manhattan new york city | broadway musical | reference to beethoven | 

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Taglines:

One filmmaker's search for a Broadway that was lost, and the 100 legends that he found...

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Genres:

Documentary | History | Music

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Second Act Productions [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Broadway

Filming Locations:

Cork, County Cork, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Second Act Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After hearing Gretchen Wyler's tale of her breakout by replacing the star of "Silk Stockings" at a moment's notice when the usual understudy was nowhere to be found, Rick McKay tried to locate the absent understudy, actress Sherry O'Neal, for an interview. Unfortunately, O'Neal had died some time prior. At the premiere he mentioned this fact to Wyler, who exclaimed, "Thank goodness I didn't know that! Had I known, I would have never told the story!"

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Quotes

Kaye Ballard: By the time I went back to do "Pirates of Penzance" in 1982, it was a joke! It was like Nurse Rached - this person's out, that person's out...

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Connections

References How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)

User Reviews

Twenty Four Carat GOLDEN AGE

Honestly, there's nothing better you could do with your time or money than buy this movie and watch it immediately.

I'd heard glowing reviews of this movie, so as soon as it hit Chicago I was first in line, bringing a friend along. The next day, I was back there again, with another friend in tow.

Myself, my friends, and everyone else I know that's seen this movie feel it is the most important documentary ever made about Broadway. They say history is made by the people who lived it, and here--from his own personal passion--Rick has amassed the largest number of living legends ever to appear in the same film. Rather than a bland collection of facts, this movie is filled with life and energy and stories--both silly and heartfelt--by the people who were actually there. You can't beat Chita Rivera talking about the original production of WEST SIDE STORY, or Angela Lansbury and MAME, or countless others.

As you watch, you're simply spellbound by the love and dedication that went into preserving these people on film and more so, by the love and dedication these legends have for Broadway stage. Your heart aches to be there, with them, in all the glory and splendor they recreate from their recollections.

Quite simply, if you care about theatre in any way shape or form, this movie is required viewing. And if you don't care about theatre, this movie will make you a convert to the magic that is live theatre. Rick McKay is a saint of the performing arts and deserves entry into the theatre hall of fame for this movie, right alongside all the legends he interviewed.

The only thing you could possibly have against this film is that it's too short. It's two hours, and when it's done, you want to sit for another two, and I imagine another two after that.