5 Stage to Screen Gems

Cabaret (1972) - Bob Fosse is one of the era's forgotten director's by the mainstream, but "Cabaret" earned him an Oscar as best director. Starring Liza Minnilli, the setting is a Berlin nightclub in the 1930's and the subjects are dancing and decadence. The atmoshere is anything goes and a lot does go on. Co-starring Joel Grey in the memorable role as the master of ceremonies. Fosse shows he knows how to direct for the screen as well as the stage in only his second movie.







Grease (1978) - Travolta (post Saturday Night Fever) and Olivia Newton John light up the screen with this nostalgic and upbeat story of high school in the 1950's. The musical numbers are undeniably energetic and irresistible. The main topics is teen rebellion including sex, dancing and racing fast cars. It has every stereotype know to human kind in it, but doesn't really try to comment on any of them.









Dracula (1979) - Yes, it's been done before the source material is Bram Stoker's book, but this adaptation takes its inspiration from the hugely successful stage version. Unlike some of the recent blood and gore vampire versions, this adaptation stresses the romantic and brooding Dracula. Frank Langella fully captures this romantic Dracula and while ending is a little anti-climactic, this is a movie still worth watching.









On Golden Pond (1981) - this adaptation of Ernest Thompson's play depicts a couple during a summer in their twilight years and the tension of unresolved parental problems between father and daughter, plus cross generational conflict as the couple is forced to watch over a teenage boy in their care. The strength of this movie is the stars, Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn. They light of the screen and give this movie it's life force even though they are in their advanced years. Poignant and entertaining, this is an adaptation worth your time.








The Dresser (1983) - Underrated and overlooked, this is a wonderful film that chronicles the relationship between an actor and his dresser. They are a part of a traveling Shakespearean acting troop entertaining the home front of London duringWWII's blitz on the city. The strength of the movie are the performances by Albert Finney, playing larger-than-life and ego maniacal leading actor in the troop and Tom Courtney who plays his self-sacrificing dresser. The performances are stunning, but the script is a equally strong. You will learn what is to be a friend by the end of this movie.