MovieChat Forums > Damn Yankees (1958) Discussion > Sentiment and obstinacy

Sentiment and obstinacy

posted 8 years ago by Jamal-Nazreddin
2 replies | jump to latest

The memoirs by Art Kelim (AKA Tab Hunter) confirm why this movie is such a fizzer.

The film was hamstrung by veteran George Abbott who did it on Broadway and was unable to release his heavy-handed grasp to his cinematically-flexible co-director, Stanley Donen.

Verdon and Walston may have wowed the audiences on Broadway but neither of them appeal to a wider audience. Art Kelim (AKA Tab Hunter) may have got top billing but he was mistreated by rest of the cast who were imported holus-bolus from Broadway.

[–] dmnemaine 8 years ago

I don't see anything wrong with Walston and Verdon in this film. I don't think they are the problem. I think the elimination/replacing of songs from the Broadway score with the bland "Empty Chair" number was a mistake. I think the pacing was too slow for a musical comedy.

[–] GinaRenee 8 years ago

Donen could be pretty heavy-handed himself. Musicals like Give a Girl a Break and Funny Face and even Seven Brides can be rather draggy and stuffy at times.