MovieChat Forums > Gypsy (1962) Discussion > Herbie and the ending (SPOILER)

Herbie and the ending (SPOILER)

posted 10 years ago by xCarolax
4 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this film last night and I can't get over the fact that he just left Rose after everything they had been through together and clearly being in love with her, and never came back. I haven't seen another thread about it here so wonder if I'm the only one feeling a bit let down by the ending? Especially when we can see him coming in when Louise is performing for the first time, that's the last we see of him? Makes me wonder(hope) if there was an alternative ending or deleted scenes or something, why did he walk in to it, we don't see him going out either.

Otherwise I absolutely loved the film, Rosalind Russell's performance as Rose is stunning and Natalie Wood is great too.

[–] beetiesmom 10 years ago

Herbie got so mad at Rose, time and again, but when she volunteered Louise to do lines at the burlesque, the straw broke that camel's back. I always cry at that juncture---when Rose starts singing "Lucky", but can't finish it and breaks down. It's sadder than when June left abruptly. Wonder who this man really was and what became of him.

[–] Harold_Robbins 9 years ago

Gypsy Rose Lee was so pleased with the character of Herbie that she told librettist Laurents that she wished she'd thought of him for her memoir.

In my case, self-absorption is completely justified.

[–] justoldbill 9 years ago

There is a final page in a copy of the shooting script I own that has Herbie showing up for a final clinch. Wisely, it went unused. The story is about the mother and daughter, and yes, people do leave you. And where can you find a better ending than Rose saying, "Madame Rose... (then giving Louise top billing), and her daughter, Gypsy!"

[–] mca1218 7 years ago

Herbie warns Rose more than once that he'll leave if she doesn't stop pimping out her daughters, most notably in the Chinese restaurant which ends with Rose singing "You'll Never Get Away from Me." He also says to her at the train depot after June leaves that she can retire, marry him, and send Louise to school like regular people. It bonds him with Louise, but Rose doesn't hear any of it, singing the Act 1 finale, "Everything's Coming Up Roses." By the "star strip" scene, Herbie has simply had enough. Although I'm not sure why he was shown watching Louise's debut either. He was clearly disgusted.