MovieChat Forums > Star 80 (1984) Discussion > Other actresses considered for the role ...

Other actresses considered for the role of Dorothy?

posted 13 years ago by cookiela2001
8 replies | jump to latest

I'm wondering if there's ever been reference made to other actresses who were considered for the role of Dorothy Stratten in this film.

I like Mariel Hemingway a lot, but she doesn't make much of an impression in this part, aside from basically looking good.

From what I've seen, Stratten seemed to have a kind of golden glow around her (due in part, no doubt, from her being extremely young), and there was a gentleness to her manner and presence, too, that was quite striking. Hemingway doesn't really project that...though the role isn't written in any kind of a detailed way to begin with, either.

I wonder who else the studio, and the director Bob Fosse, were considering as the project developed. They must have had other people in mind, because Fosse initially didn't even want to use Hemingway, if you believe what was written at the time.

[–] SimplemindedSociety 11 years ago

I agree, Hemingway didn't really resemble her either,and has a tendency to whine in her acting. I could see Cheryl Ladd, though she was too old at the time. Or why not KIm Basinger?

[–] bron-tay 11 years ago

Other actresses may not have worked as hard for the role. I recall reading that Hemingway campaigned for it, including getting breast implants. I don't think she was right for it. Her body, while fine for other purposes, was totally wrong for a playmate.

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[–] SimplemindedSociety 11 years ago

what about Jamie Lee Curtis in the tv film? I don't get it. Curtis does not resemble, or is nearly as pretty as Stratten

[–] zooymtoo-527-334409 11 years ago

I think they hired Hemingway primarily for her sort of sweet girlish manner. She does convey naivete, timidness and shy hesitancy better than many and these were supposedly traits of Stratten.
Hemingway did not particularly resemble Stratten, no; being more athletic while Stratten was softer and more naturally endowed.
But resemblance is often secondary to the story as conveying the persons personality accurately. And that's what they were aiming for.

[–] ecjones1951 10 years ago

I have read in All His Jazz, a biography of Fosse, that Melanie Griffith was considered the frontrunner for a long time. I can see that.

[–] lwboho 10 years ago

See trivia notes for this film. Darryl Hannah was considered, I think MH nailed the shy, youthful, innocence.

[–] wwkentucky 8 years ago

It's widely known that studio executives wanted to cast Shirley Temple as Dorothy. Don't get me wrong --- she was a terrific little tapper, but she didn't have the pipes (or acting ability) that Judy had. The only aspect that would have made Shirley a better fit for the role was height. Dorothy was supposed to be a LITTLE girl. And Judy (as a normal 16-year-old) certainly can't be faulted for that.

[–] gretakendalljosh 8 years ago

No woman short can pull it off PERIOD.

Gotta be a VERY tall woman... MODEL HEIGHT over 5'8 out of heels to a lil over 6'0 or right at 5'10/5'11 simple as that, WW Kentucky,so yea Shirley Templesure would have look stupid. She was good at her roles/and tapping etc.al., so that would have not work at all.

RIP Dorothy Stratton

Peace

Josh
Texas 346 Football
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