Bonus video! Don't be Alarmed, Judi Dench is SUPPOSED to Sound Like That
Hello from New York!
I'm back for some more archive research, and also a big fabulous Pride event at the Toronto Public Library (to which you're invited! Details below!) ... but that won't stop me from recording a bonus video on some random overpass with a weird clunky-looking building in the background. On this week's gay agenda, I want to show you what happened when Judi Dench was cast as Sally Bowles in the London version of Cabaret ... much to Judi's initial horror. And also take a look at how she compares to Liza, as well as Stevie on Schitt's Creek. Plus, was The Wizard of Oz the first MERM in cinema history???
And if you're in Toronto this Wednesday, July 12, I hope you'll join me for a theme song sing-along (with a live piano player!) and a talk about coming out scenes with the delightful Anthony Oliveira. Full details here: https://www.mattbaume.com/events/2024/6/12/sitcoms-and-the-queering-of-popular-culture
Bonus video! Don't be Alarmed, Judi Dench is SUPPOSED to Sound Like That (YouTube)
Comments (4)
Great Howard Ashman documentary on Disney+. Also the American Masters episode on Marvin Hamlisch also touches on Smile. Can't WAIT for this video!!
"A weird clunky looking building" Matt what a delightful way to neg the United Nations, although the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt may have some words for you!
Weren’t The Singing Detective and Pennies from Heaven MERM examples? I think the latter was an inspiration for Rob Marshall for Chicago. The Buffy musical episode “Once More With Feeling” is a clever way of explaining away the singing and dancing (and Hinton Battle too!). Judi Dench may not be a singer, but my god can she deliver a song. The first time I truly understood “Send in the Clowns” was watching a version her singing it on YouTube. My heart broke for Desiree.
Safe travels, Matt and happy Pride Month! While I’m musing on potential examples of MERM, this tangential moment came to mind from the most recent (very Queer) series of Doctor Who (airing on BBC/Disney+): During an episode called “The Devil’s Chord”, in which the villain is played (fabulously) by Jinx Monsoon, dramatic music plays, which we assume to be the score and the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa), says in surprised response when he realizes the music is coming from nearby: “I thought that was non-diegetic.” The episode ends with a full on musical-style song and dance number. The whole season seems to be messing with the 4th wall and the concept of what is “real” but what exactly is going on is yet to be revealed. Rules of tv convention appear to be being broken very much in the way musicals do. The most recent episode, which was 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈, “Rogue”they time travel to Bridgerton - in 1813 - while fully acknowledging that is a tv show. Which I am still trying to wrap my head around. But it feels like something akin to MERM, maybe it’s weird sci-fi cousin, is at work. Anyways, might be worth tucking this bit of queer tv in your files as a potential reference point for the future. Have a great trip.