why a good film, but not a great one? Casting?
One critic said Wood was a poor substitute for Gypsy Rose Lee. Why? Ann Margret was supposedly the first choice
shareAnn Margret was never considered for the role. This is a myth that began circulating in the 60's. A definitive bio of Warner Bros. published in the 1990's said no one but Wood was ever in the running for the part. Ann Margret herself has said she was never approached for the role.
I suppose Wood was ok, but this the type of film that should had garnered Oscar acting noms. M. LeRoy made anther good film The Bad Seed, but again, not "great" (though the leads were nominated)
shareBoth Wood and Russell were nominated for Best Actress Golden Globes for their performances in "Gypsy"( with Russell winning) and Arthur Laurents ,who wrote the play and hated the film ( as well as hating the version w/Bette Midler) was quoted in an interview in The Advocate magazine as saying he thought Natalie Wood was the only good thing in the film. This movie adaption will always divide fans. Personally, I love it.
shareI don't put as much value into the Golden Globes because they commit fraud: nominating drama/comedy performances in the wrong category to fill the slots, and they have 10 slots for acting nominees overall. There have been some Golden Globe lead winners that were not even nominated for an Oscar. I don't know, if the Oscars had 10 slots, would those same 10 GG nominees/winners be Oscar nominated? Maybe the Oscars should expand their categories to 10. I suppose Wood could had been substituted for Mary Badham in 62', but I can't judge
shareI agree about the Golden Globes in general now, but they had a bit more integrity back in the 60's. However, the nomination of Madonna for Best Actress for "Evita" in the 90's all but destroyed their credibility.
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