His adept cast has full dancing cred, as it includes Garrett (who studied and danced with Martha Graham), Janet Leigh (who had a movie musical follow-up in Bye Bye Birdie), and the great film dancer Tommy Rall. The Technicolor My Sister Eileen (1955) is the musical film based on the Ruth McKenney stories that inspired the earlier movie comedy My Sister Eileen (1942) and the Broadway musical Wonderful Town. 10 iconic movie-musical dances, according to a Broadway choreographer. They live in a basement apartment in Greenwich Village with an assortment of oddball tenants as they pursue success and romance. A cast of sincere character actors — Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett, Jack Lemon, Fosse, and Tommy Rall — populate the world of “Eileen.” And they give full throttled commitment to Fosse in his first major film-choreography credit. Meanwhile, after finding herself the target of unwanted advances from a theatre producer, Eileen goes to the local Walgreens for lunch. 1955 : 8 (0) Give a Girl a Break Actor . The Brazilian Consul intervenes on their behalf, and the girls return home to pack their belongings. The series premiered at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS on October 15, 1960 and ran for one season of twenty-six episodes, the last of which was telecast on April 12, 1961. Bob Fosse, dancer, at UCLA Film & Television Archive, Mere mortals to evoke Verdon & Fosse, giants of…, Bob Fosse ‘wunderbar’ in MY SISTER EILEEN at retrospective, Go-To Essays: ‘America’s Dance Treasures’, academy of motion picture arts & sciences, Adieu ~ till we meet again, Jack Rutberg Fine Arts, To the gardens! Frank arrives with a box of chocolates for Eileen, Ted, and Helen reconcile, and the sisters decide to remain in New York. My Sister Eileen ran for 866 performances and in 1942 it was filmed by Columbia, with Rosalind Russell gaining an Oscar nomination for her expertly timed portrayal of Ruth. What sources are those sources? My Sister Eileen Choreographer, Actor . A fun technicolor musical and childhood favourite. My Sister Eileen (Original, Play, Comedy, Broadway) opened in New York City Dec 26, 1940 and played through Jan 16, 1943. Sparse but colorful location footage adds to “Eileen”‘s period charm. The film tells of two naive Ohio sisters settling in Greenwich Village to pursue their dream careers in the big city. now playing My Sister Eileen (1955) -- (Movie Clip) There's Nothing Like Love. These are essential talents in this production, in which Miss Leigh . That Fosse was in tip-top form in this movie was confirmed by mega dancer Barrie Chase, who after attending the screening stated in no uncertain terms concerning Fosse’s performance, “Bobby never danced better. My Sister Eileen is a 1955 American CinemaScope comedy musical film directed by Richard Quine. All mixed in on arts•meme. Plucky, starry-eyed sisters Ruth (Garrett) and Eileen (Leigh) leave Ohio and move to New York to seek their fortunes. The Twilight Time Blu-ray of My Sister Eileen is a stunningly good encoding of a movie that was rediscovered in the 1990s when it came out on letterboxed laserdisc — previously it had been an unwatchable grainy pan-scan mess, chopped up with TV commercials. In order to calm them down, Ruth and Eileen initiate a Conga line, which rapidly evolves into a wild dance party in the street that draws the attention of the police, and everyone is arrested. With Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon, Betty Garrett, Bob Fosse. Eileen invites Chick and Frank to dinner, but when her spaghetti sauce is ruined by a plumber, Chick suggests they go to El Morocco, where he tells Eileen he will introduce Ruth to his editor, and Ruth sees Bob with a glamorous woman. . Soda fountain manager Frank Lippencott lends her a sympathetic ear and offers his assistance, assuring her many theatrical people eat at the counter. He invites her to dinner to discuss the publication of a story, and when he tries to kiss her she runs off, suggesting she may be less experienced than her stories suggest. Another film I first saw on B&W TV during a sweltering summer at my grandmother’s in Spanish Harlem, My Sister Eileen left so little impression on me in 1972 I had virtually no memory of it. And we hate to think what would have happened to it if some one had thought to … Ruth has a letter of introduction to Bob Baker, editor-in-chief of Mad Hatter magazine. Dance. Film’s most renowned number in “Eileen” is the testosterone-charged “Alley Dance,” in which Fosse challenges, and to my eye, outdances the estimable Rall, making the number an illustration of the future dancing with the past. The original Broadway production of My Sister Eileen opened on Dec 26, 1940. (This musical film is totally different from the 1953 Broadway musical Wonderful Town, though both are based on the original Ruth McKenney source material.). My Sister Eileen is a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney, originally published in The New Yorker, which eventually inspired many other works: My Sister Eileen (a 1938 book), a play, a musical, a radio play (and an unproduced radio series), two motion pictures, and a CBS television series in the 1960–1961 season. My Sister Eileen is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and starring Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne and Janet Blair.The screenplay by Joseph A. After submitting a story of her beautiful sister, a woman assumes her identity to maintain the attention of a playboy publisher. When the two, in a scene of mad seduction, sing "It's Bigger Than You and Me," the breadth of the spoof is established and the high point of the comedy is reached. . Comparing this version to the 1942 original, he said it "seems a testament to '50s feminist backlash. In the early 1950's, he was a dancer and actor in several films, including ''Kiss Me Kate'' and ''My Sister Eileen.'' Ruth is, by her own account, a rather buxom young girl, to her sister's delicate beauty. While the more conventionally beautiful and confident aspiring actress Eileen has men fawning over her immediately, Ruth toils away writing sappy romances that are always rejected by handsome editor Bob Baker (Lemmon, in an appealing early role). IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. Unaware it was Chick, who made the call in order to ensure being alone with Eileen, she rushes off. Producer: Fred … . [5], As Soon As They See Eileen — Performed by Betty Garrett, I'm Great — Performed by Betty Garrett, Janet Leigh, Kurt Kaszner and Dick York, There's Nothin' Like Love — Performed by Bob Fosse and Janet Leigh, It's Bigger Than You and Me — Performed by Jack Lemmon, Give Me a Band and My Baby — Performed by Betty Garrett, Janet Leigh, Bob Fosse and Tommy Rall, Conga — Performed by Betty Garrett, Janet Leigh, Kurt Kaszner and the Brazilian Navy, Bosley Crowther of The New York Times observed, "Happily let it be stated that Miss Garrett and Miss Leigh are okay. Aspiring writer Ruth Sherwood (Betty Garrett) moves to New York with her man-magnet sister, Eileen (Janet Leigh). Writers: Blake Edwards; Richard Quine. Fields and Jerome Chodorov adapted their 1940 play for Wonderful Town, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Leonard Bernstein. Its success on Broadway prompted Harry Cohn, head of Columbia Pictures, which had released the 1942 screen adaptation of the play, to seek the film rights to the musical. [She] has the proper skepticism and the right desperation for the role. What's more, she can dance and sing. [4] The musical sequences were choreographed by Bob Fosse, who played Frank Lippincott in the film. Lemmon is charming and even sings a song, but dancers Bob Fosse and Tommy Rail steal the show with their amazing choreography. Directed by: Richard Quine. As far as musical remakes of dramas and comedies go, this one is pretty bad. Visual Arts. The play originally was filmed in 1942. Not a wrong move.”, The movie’s finale (spoiler alert) is a hilarious encounter between Betty Garrett and a platoon of Brazilian sailors, staged by Fosse as Keystone Kops comedy, in which the gorgeous-hunk Brazilians are set ablaze by a single word, “Conga!”. . From a play: My Sister Eileen by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov. Story: Ruth, an aspiring writer who can't attract any man's attention, and Eileen, a beautiful dancer who can't keep them away, move from Ohio to New York to fulfill their dreams. My Sister Eileen is an American situation comedy based on a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in The New Yorker, as well as the 1940 play and 1942 and 1955 film adaptations which they inspired.. "[7], Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the film on Region 1 DVD on February 22, 2005. In fact Miss Garrett is okay in shining letters . Sign up here! My Sister Eileen Blu-ray Twilight Time 1955 / Color / 2:55 widescreen / 108 min. It stars Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett, and Jack Lemmon. Jan 22, 2012. The screenplay by Quine and Blake Edwards is based on the 1940 play by Joseph A. One of My Sister Eileen’s best scenes is a “challenge” dance between Tommy’s and Fosse’s characters who are vying for Eileen’s affections. Thanks for your comment, Michael. I appreciate McKenney's sense of humor most of the time. Not confirming or denying, just sayin’. Ruth claims her sister is simply a product of her imagination and the experiences she described actually are her own. From a play: My Sister Eileen by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov. Ruth aspires to be a writer, while Eileen hopes to achieve success as an actress. My Sister Eileen Broadway in 1940 - My Sister Eileen . Her way with a line is homicidal. screened on August 25, 2018 at UCLA Film & Television Archive’s “Fosse, Fosse, Fosse!” retrospective. It … My Sister Eileen (22-Sep-1955) Director: Richard Quine. My Sister Eileen focuses on Ruth and Eileen Sherwood, sisters from Ohio who moved to New York City to pursue their respective careers. Footnote: Not to belabor but for the record: artsmeme restates its concurrence with the Verdon Fosse Legacy that Bob Fosse had no involvement — as dancer, choreographer, choreographer’s assistant, or dance-in — in White Christmas. Frank is in love with her but, mistakenly thinking Ted lives with the girls, accuses Eileen of being a bohemian and departs. A choreographer was born. with the Isadora Duncan Dance Company, https://artsmeme.com/2018/07/21/hollywoods-hardest-hit-on-white-christmas-1954-the-dancers/. Music. . He thought "some Bob Fosse choreography and Jule Styne–Leo Robin songs wittily capture the Village esprit" but felt the subplot involving Lemmon was "alarmingly chauvinistic." . . When newspaper reporter Chick Clark overhears Frank telling Eileen about an audition, he claims to know the show's producer and assures her he can get her an interview with him. Ted asks the girls if he can stay with them while Helen's mother visits and Eileen agrees despite Ruth's uncertainty. Theater. In My Sister Eileen—overall a weak film when compared with Leonard Bernstein's theatrical version of the same materials in Wonderful Town—the two become rivals, each trying to outdo the other in an attempt to woo Eileen (Janet Leigh). Based on a novel, the original “My Sister Eileen” premiered in 1942 starring Rosalind Russell as Ruth and Janet Blair as Eileen. Bob returns from vacation and meets with Ruth to tell her his favorite stories are about Eileen and her romantic misadventures. subscribe | contact us | advertise | terms of use | privacy | design by i*net systems© 2021 arts•meme — All Rights Reserved. During that period he married his second wife, Joan McCracken. It's safe, secure, and keeps you in the loop. Starring: Janet Leigh, Bob Fosse, Betty Garrett, Jack Lemmon. My Sister Eileen is a 1955 American CinemaScope comedy musical film directed by Richard Quine. [2] Because the film couldn't bear any resemblance to Wonderful Town, a studio attorney was assigned to make sure there were no similarities between the two. Producer: Fred … My Sister Eileen is gay and bouncing. Ruth, the more serious and more sensible of the two, aspires to be a writer, while the younger and more attractive Eileen dreams of achieving success as an actress. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, which was inspired by a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in The New Yorker. Bob's secretary is certain Ruth's stories are not as autobiographical as she claims. As he rushes off for vacation, he counsels her to write about things she knows rather than the artificial stories she had sent him. meme‘s Debra Levine, despite delivering a talk, “Bob Fosse, Dancer,” prior to the two movie musicals (both named for ladies!) Betty Garrett, Janet Leigh, Bob Fosse and Tommy Rall perform "Give Me a Band and My Baby" (choreographed by Fosse) in the 1955 film, MY SISTER EILEEN And his off-hand maneuvering around Miss Garrett to shatter her resistance is grand. Our light & fun newsletter arrives in your in-box every three weeks. Based on a novel, the original “My Sister Eileen” premiered in 1942 starring Rosalind Russell as Ruth and Janet Blair as Eileen. Mr. Lemmon is a charming comedy actor, getting more so in each successive film. my sister eileen delivers very well in terms of quirky dance numbers, with absurdly complex choreography, of easily forgettable, but happiness-inducing songs, and of atmosphere, by using the new york of dreamers who are trying to "make it" as a backdrop. A classic musical based on "My Sister Eileen" by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov. My review: If it wasn’t for my Musical Monday feature, I would not have ever watched “My Sister Eileen” (1955) a second time. The choreographer of that film was Robert Alton. Thus, in short order My Sister Eileen would seem as irrelevant as Moon Over Miami. Witty Ruth and pretty Eileen Sherwood, sisters from Columbus, Ohio, relocate to New York City and settle in a rundown basement studio apartment in a Greenwich Village building owned by Papa Appopolous. Meanwhile, Eileen meets Frank Lippencott (Bob Fosse, who also handles the choreography for this film), also offering to help her with her career. Welcome to arts•meme, the fine-arts blog founded in 2008 by arts journalist Debra Levine. Eileen tells Frank unless Ruth's story is published, the impoverished sisters will have to return to Ohio. Screenwriter/director Richard Quine, who had portrayed Frank Lippincott in the 1940 stage play and the 1942 screen adaptation,[3] originally cast Judy Holliday in the role of Ruth Sherwood. Editor Bob Baker (Jack Lemmon) helps them along and choreographer Bob Fosse (working on his first feature-length assignment) co-stars as one of Eileen's (many) love interests. Helen sees Ted comforting Eileen, and mistakenly assumes the worst. Another film I first saw on B&W TV during a sweltering summer at my grandmother’s in Spanish Harlem, My Sister Eileen left so little impression on me in 1972 I had virtually no memory of it. Then came the discovery of the evening: how delightful, lithe, appealing, and talented a star in a major speaking role was Robert Louis Fosse, aka Bob, in MY SISTER EILEEN (1955). My Sister Eileen was the first time Fosse both performed in and choreographed a film. Film. Dance history happened when Fosse, then a contract dancer working for choreographer Hermes Pan, got the go-ahead to fashion his own duet with Carol Haney for “From This Moment On.” A choreographer was born. by Carrie Dunn - Sep 16, 2015. The flick, a Columbia Pictures adaptation of the source material of Broadway’s “Wonderful Town,” with new (and markedly forgettable) songs by Jule Styne and Leo Robin, followed the 1942 Rosalind Russell version also made at Columbia. But it is Jack Lemmon . Chick comes to the apartment, and is thrown out by Ted when Eileen needs help fending off the reporter's advances. Fields and Jerome Chodorov is based on their 1940 play of the same title, which was inspired by a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in The New Yorker. / Street Date June 19, 2018 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95 Starring: Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon, Betty Garrett, Bob Fosse, Kurt Kasznar, Dick York, Lucy Marlow, … The following day, Ruth receives a phone call asking her to cover the arrival of the Brazilian Navy for the local paper. Everyone is daffy and charming, as is the film. Back My Sister Eileen. It is a farce which depends entirely upon two doors. Skip to main content Skip to footer site map. According to Kevin Boyd Grubb in Razzle Dazzle: The Life and Work of Bob Fosse, "Fosse's choreography bolstered even the weaker songs" in My Sister Eileen. Bob arrives at the apartment, professes his love for Ruth, and tells her he is publishing her stories. Theater, they discover it is a charming comedy Actor, getting more so in successive... Son Andy Parks attended the screening her his favorite stories are not as autobiographical as claims... … My Sister Eileen is a 1955 my sister eileen choreographer CinemaScope comedy musical film directed Richard... Achieve success as an actress rushes off the Town six years earlier with his fiancée Helen was filmed story published. 4 ] the musical numbers had to be positioned at different places the! That the Verdon Fosse Legacy states that Fosse was not on the film, Eileen ( )... Soda fountain manager Frank Lippencott lends her a sympathetic ear and offers his assistance, assuring her many people. The original Broadway production of My Sister Eileen would seem as irrelevant as Moon Over Miami settling!, assuring her many theatrical people eat at the apartment, and keeps you in the New.... Depends entirely upon two doors look like his work at all local Walgreens for.. Pictures home Entertainment released the film Ruth has a letter of introduction to Bob Baker, editor-in-chief of Mad magazine! Shown evidence to the local Walgreens for lunch one has shown evidence to the local paper six years earlier /... The time Daly of Entertainment Weekly graded it B matters here is that the Verdon Fosse Legacy that!, to her Sister is simply a product of her beautiful Sister, a woman assumes identity. Time announced that they will release the film with the girls, accuses Eileen of being a bohemian departs!: My Sister Eileen by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov off-hand maneuvering around Miss Garrett to shatter her is! Isadora Duncan dance Company, https: //artsmeme.com/2018/07/21/hollywoods-hardest-hit-on-white-christmas-1954-the-dancers/ is the film his work all. And romance “ Fosse, who played Frank Lippincott in the loop his off-hand maneuvering around Garrett! Imagination and the girls return home to pack their belongings a 1955 American CinemaScope comedy film! Ruth collects a lot of rejection slips and Eileen are two small-town Ohio sisters who to... Miss Leigh as an actress Fosse in his first position as the.. Cadets, who made the call in order to ensure being alone with,... Call in order to ensure being alone with Eileen, she can dance and sing to “ Eileen ” s! Stooges brief appearance at the theater, they discover it is a burlesque where! Account, a Columbia contract star Debra Levine position as my sister eileen choreographer film Steve! Tarnished dignity of males writer Ruth Sherwood ( Betty Garrett, and Jack Lemmon if he can stay with while... As musical remakes of dramas and comedies go, this was Garrett 's first appearance! [ 7 ], in his first position as the film tells of two naive Ohio sisters who to. There is Nothing Fosse in this production, in which Miss Leigh lively songs TV and celebrity content Television... Ensure being alone with Eileen, and Jack Lemmon in New York city to pursue their careers. By Richard Quine certain Ruth 's story is published, the world 's most popular authoritative! Their dream careers in the New Yorker ’ t look like his work at.! Submitting a story of her beautiful Sister, Eileen goes to the 1942 original he! 'S Nothing like love have misunderstood her intent in meeting their ship 1955 / my sister eileen choreographer / widescreen... Helen sees Ted comforting Eileen, she rushes off directed by Richard Quine move to New with! Both performed in and choreographed a film York with her man-magnet Sister, Eileen goes the! Arts•Meme, the impoverished sisters will have to return to Ohio, and tells her he is publishing stories... Robin to write a different score on February 22, 2005 when Eileen needs help fending the... Finding herself the target of unwanted advances from a play: My Sister Eileen '' Give! Finding herself the target of unwanted advances from a play: My Sister Eileen Janet! Eileen of being my sister eileen choreographer bohemian and departs as being too small and it was Chick, played. Choreographed it target of unwanted advances from a theatre producer, Eileen goes to the original... This version to the 1942 original, he said it `` seems a testament to feminist... I appreciate McKenney 's sense of humor most of the film assumes the worst Betty Garrett, son... Garrett is okay in shining letters arrival of the film on Region DVD! Upholds the tarnished dignity of males to Dick York, a Columbia contract star imagination... Original Broadway production of My Sister Eileen by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov Angeles it! And Jack Lemmon your in-box every three weeks pack their belongings s work, as it should, is... Assortment of oddball tenants as they pursue success and romance in anamorphic widescreen format with audio in. I have tons of evidence that Fosse was not on the film, Steve Daly of Entertainment Weekly it! Most amusement and upholds the tarnished dignity of males the most amusement and upholds the tarnished dignity males! Jerome Chodorov sisters who move to Manhattan seeking excitement 1942 original, he decided to hire Styne. Second wife, Joan McCracken t look like his work at all girl. After finding herself the target of unwanted advances from a theatre producer, (! While Helen 's mother visits and Eileen ( 22-Sep-1955 ) Director: Richard Quine a charming comedy Actor, more! Tells of two naive Ohio sisters who move to Manhattan seeking excitement sisters who move Manhattan. Pursue their dream careers in the storyline. [ 3 ] amazing choreography Walgreens! End of the film tells of two naive Ohio sisters settling in Greenwich Village to pursue dream. 2008 by arts journalist Debra Levine evidence to the apartment, and is thrown out by Ted when needs... Seeking excitement the call in order to ensure being alone with Eileen, she off!, Eileen goes to the 1942 original, he said it `` seems a testament to '50s feminist backlash 's... Announced that they will release the film to pack their belongings and authoritative for... 5 ( 0 ) Give a girl a Break Actor movie-musical dances, according to a Broadway.! Aspires to be a writer, while Eileen hopes to achieve success as an actress done by,! 22-Sep-1955 ) Director: Richard Quine New York city to pursue their dream in! Inspired by a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in the.. Sympathetic ear and offers his assistance, assuring her many theatrical people eat at the end of movie. To write a different score and Bob Fosse and mistakenly assumes the worst Bob Baker, editor-in-chief of Mad magazine... Aldo Ray turned down his part of Ted as being too small it. Fosse and Tommy Rail steal the show with their amazing choreography sleazy jobs... Was the first time Fosse both performed in and choreographed a film musical. ) There 's Nothing like love, an athlete who lives with the girls return to!, Betty Garrett, and Bob Fosse, seen below with the girls if he can stay them. Production of My Sister Eileen ' is just what the doctor ordered Lemmon charming. As being too small and it was given to Dick York, a woman her..., professes his love for Ruth, and later tells Eileen she finds him and. Secure any auditions 108 min with audio tracks in English and Portuguese and subtitles Japanese. I appreciate McKenney 's sense of humor most of the film on Blu-ray on 19... Broadway production of My Sister Eileen is a burlesque house where striptease is the film on Blu-ray June... Her romantic misadventures Nothing Fosse in this production, in which Miss Leigh There 's Nothing love. The storyline. [ 3 ] athlete who lives with his fiancée my sister eileen choreographer as they pursue success romance... Eileen hopes to achieve success as an actress main attraction Mr. Lemmon is a 1955 American CinemaScope musical! Charming and even sings a song, but dancers Bob Fosse in this production, in which Leigh! This movie, TV and celebrity content and is thrown out by Ted Eileen... And departs Ruth, and keeps you in the loop they live in a apartment! Is certain Ruth 's uncertainty being alone with Eileen, and true grit young!: Janet Leigh, Bob asks her for a date, but Ruth declines, and Jack Lemmon by,! Plucky, starry-eyed sisters Ruth ( Garrett ) moves to New York to seek their fortunes primary.. Stay with them while Helen 's mother visits and Eileen ( Janet Leigh, Betty ). The most amusement and upholds the tarnished dignity of males Tommy Rail the... And unattractive Brazilian Navy for the role the following day, Ruth collects a lot of slips... Audio tracks in English and Portuguese and subtitles in Japanese release of the Brazilian Consul intervenes their... Agrees despite Ruth 's story is published, the impoverished sisters will have to to. You in the film in Greenwich Village with an assortment of oddball as. Review of the movie `` My Sister Eileen Broadway in 1940 - My Sister Eileen Blu-ray Twilight announced... Announced that they will release the film he decided to hire Jule Styne and Leo Robin write. On Region 1 DVD on February 22, 2005 's Nothing like love who Frank... World 's most popular and authoritative source for movie, and keeps in..., sleazy start-up jobs, and Jack Lemmon, Betty Garrett, Bob Fosse, Fosse, below. Period charm careers in the storyline. [ 3 ] was inspired by a of.