MovieChat Forums > Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) Discussion > An Almost Forgotten Gem...

An Almost Forgotten Gem...

posted 18 years ago by ijonesiii
6 replies | jump to latest

This was one of my all-time favorite TV movies. Maureen Stapleton gives a warm and heartbreaking performance as a widow who finds a new outlet life when she starts going out ballroom dancing and slowly drifts into an affair with a married mailman (Charles Durning). Stapleton shines in this charming TV production that won her an Emmy Award. One of my favorites which is always worth watching. It was later turned into a Broadway musical called BALLROOM starring the late Dorothy Loudon, but stick with the original...it's a winner.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] weepups2-1 16 years ago

One of those rare made for TV movies that is good. I got lucky enough to record this off a cable channel this morning. Maureen Stapleton and Charles Durning were both very good in this charming movie.

[–] shandy8 15 years ago

I saw "Ballroom" (the Broadway Musical that was based on this TV movie) and enjoyed it; however, it lacked the sentimental charm (and the lovely Maureen Stapleton's heartbreaking performance) of the movie. It did, on the other hand, contain the great Ballad "Fifty Percent" that, in some minds, has become a standard (Bea Arthur performed it during her one-woman show).

"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"

[–] broomhlda3 15 years ago

I loved this movie since it was first shown in 1975. I was thrilled to see it was going to be shown on Showtime. Since Showtime has bought this movie, the manufacturer is no longer offering the DVD or Video Recording. Nor is the library making it reservable. Too bad.

[–] Pisces80 15 years ago

I caught this movie for the first time this past weekend on Flix; I absolutely loved it!
I've always liked Maureen Stapleton - I caught an awards show where she won an Emmy and she said, "I want to thank everyone I met in my entire life!". Great movie and a great actress.
As for Mr. Durning...he can sing - who knew???!

[–] BugisStreetAnnie (1294) 7 years ago

I remember seeing this on t.v. years ago. I had heard of the title before I saw the movie.