meme‘s Debra Levine, despite delivering a talk, “Bob Fosse, Dancer,” prior to the two movie musicals (both named for ladies!) 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. A little over a year after the film's release, Garrett and Parks replaced Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin, respectively, on Broadway for a month in the smash hit Comden-Green-Styne musical Bells Are Ringing. Directed by: Richard Quine. Bob returns from vacation and meets with Ruth to tell her his favorite stories are about Eileen and her romantic misadventures. [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. Every thing to the contrary must be proven. IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. "[6], In his review of the DVD release of the film, Steve Daly of Entertainment Weekly graded it B. Plucky, starry-eyed sisters Ruth (Garrett) and Eileen (Leigh) leave Ohio and move to New York to seek their fortunes. The horrible digs, sleazy start-up jobs, and true grit of young girls in New York rings super true. 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. . 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. A fun technicolor musical and childhood favourite. 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. Everyone is daffy and charming, as is the film. My Sister Eileen Blu-ray Twilight Time 1955 / Color / 2:55 widescreen / 108 min. It doesn’t look like his work at all. 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. In 1953, Joseph A. As far as musical remakes of dramas and comedies go, this one is pretty bad. My Sister Eileen (22-Sep-1955) Director: Richard Quine. My Sister Eileen Broadway in 1940 - My Sister Eileen . Film. 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. 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 … 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. It stars Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett, and Jack Lemmon. Ruth is, by her own account, a rather buxom young girl, to her sister's delicate beauty. 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. 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. Theater. / 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, … It is a farce which depends entirely upon two doors. My Sister Eileen (22-Sep-1955) Director: Richard Quine. There is nothing Fosse in this movie, and Bob Fosse was not even in Los Angeles when it was filmed. It … 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. Mr. Lemmon is a charming comedy actor, getting more so in each successive film. My Sister Eileen ★★★ 1955Ruth and Eileen are two small-town Ohio sisters who move to Manhattan seeking excitement. 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. I appreciate McKenney's sense of humor most of the time. First up was KISS ME KATE (MGM, 1953), the Hollywood version of the Broadway show, an uneven and lumbering film despite its marvelous Cole Porter score (including the soaring “Wunderbar“). Co-star and choreographer Bob Fosse (credited as "Robert") sings and dances with Eileen (Janet Leigh) to "There's Nothing Like Love" by Leo Robin and Jule Styne in My Sister Eileen 1955.. View the TCMDb entry for My Sister Eileen (1955) 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. As far as musical remakes of dramas and comedies go, this one is pretty bad. My Sister Eileen focuses on Ruth and Eileen Sherwood, sisters from Ohio who moved to New York City to pursue their respective careers. 10 iconic movie-musical dances, according to a Broadway choreographer. 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). The screenplay by Quine and Blake Edwards is based on the 1940 play by Joseph A. Soda fountain manager Frank Lippencott lends her a sympathetic ear and offers his assistance, assuring her many theatrical people eat at the counter. It stars Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett, and Jack Lemmon. "[7], Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the film on Region 1 DVD on February 22, 2005. 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.. 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. 'My Sister Eileen' is just what the doctor ordered. From a play: My Sister Eileen by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov. 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. Ruth claims her sister is simply a product of her imagination and the experiences she described actually are her own. 1955 : 8 (0) Give a Girl a Break Actor . As a result, this was Garrett's first screen appearance since On the Town six years earlier. So well done by Fosse, seen below with the incandescent Betty Garrett, whose son Andy Parks attended the screening. 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. What matters here is that the Verdon Fosse Legacy states that Fosse was not on the film. They become acquainted with their neighbor Ted Loomis, an athlete who lives with his fiancée Helen. 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. No one has shown evidence to the contrary and I have tons of evidence that Fosse was not involved. After submitting a story of her beautiful sister, a woman assumes her identity to maintain the attention of a playboy publisher. What's more, she can dance and sing. My Sister Eileen (Original, Play, Comedy, Broadway) opened in New York City Dec 26, 1940 and played through Jan 16, 1943. 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/. Producer: Fred … Lemmon is charming and even sings a song, but dancers Bob Fosse and Tommy Rail steal the show with their amazing choreography. My Sister Eileen was the first time Fosse both performed in and choreographed a film. A classic musical based on "My Sister Eileen" by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov. Directed by Richard Quine. Based on a novel, the original “My Sister Eileen” premiered in 1942 starring Rosalind Russell as Ruth and Janet Blair as Eileen. . 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. All mixed in on arts•meme. 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. 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). Bob's secretary is certain Ruth's stories are not as autobiographical as she claims. 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. Visual Arts. 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. Skip to main content Skip to footer site map. title details and video sharing options. Meanwhile, after finding herself the target of unwanted advances from a theatre producer, Eileen goes to the local Walgreens for lunch. Her way with a line is homicidal. 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. [She] has the proper skepticism and the right desperation for the role. Fields and Jerome Chodorov adapted their 1940 play for Wonderful Town, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Leonard Bernstein. As he rushes off for vacation, he counsels her to write about things she knows rather than the artificial stories she had sent him. In the early 1950's, he was a dancer and actor in several films, including ''Kiss Me Kate'' and ''My Sister Eileen.'' It stars Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett, and Jack Lemmon. Audience Reviews for My Sister Eileen. [8], For the 1942 film starring Rosalind Russell, see, Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=My_Sister_Eileen_(1955_film)&oldid=994446163, Pages using infobox film with unknown empty parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 15 December 2020, at 19:37. Producer: Fred … Our light & fun newsletter arrives in your in-box every three weeks. They live in a basement apartment in Greenwich Village with an assortment of oddball tenants as they pursue success and romance. 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!”. Frank arrives with a box of chocolates for Eileen, Ted, and Helen reconcile, and the sisters decide to remain in New York. Some sources say that Fosse worked uncredited on CHRISTMAS, and point to “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” which looks like his work. 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 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. 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. Choreographer Nick Winston On LET'S DANCE AGAIN. Jan 22, 2012. 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." The Brazilian Consul intervenes on their behalf, and the girls return home to pack their belongings. Ted asks the girls if he can stay with them while Helen's mother visits and Eileen agrees despite Ruth's uncertainty. Ruth has a letter of introduction to Bob Baker, editor-in-chief of Mad Hatter magazine. The earlier DVD was okay but a tad soft, which didn’t help readability for a film that’s 80% wide shots. Welcome to arts•meme, the fine-arts blog founded in 2008 by arts journalist Debra Levine. [4] The musical sequences were choreographed by Bob Fosse, who played Frank Lippincott in the film. This is the film that started my life long love affair with the wonderful Jack Lemmon, that introduced me to the wonderful charm and comedic talents of Betty Garrett (to be further explored when I discovered her other films eg. Writers: Blake Edwards; Richard Quine. 1953 : 5 (0) Kiss Me Kate Choreographer, Actor . My Sister Eileen is gay and bouncing. 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. Dance. Meanwhile, Eileen meets Frank Lippencott (Bob Fosse, who also handles the choreography for this film), also offering to help her with her career. In fact Miss Garrett is okay in shining letters . What sources are those sources? 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 … It also has Bob Fosse in his first position as the film’s primary choreographer. These are essential talents in this production, in which Miss Leigh . My Sister Eileen (Original, Play, Comedy, Broadway) opened in New York City Dec 26, 1940 and played through Jan 16, 1943. Music. Alton also choreographed “Choreography,” “Mandy,” “Love, You Didn’t Do Right by Me” and more. Frank is in love with her but, mistakenly thinking Ted lives with the girls, accuses Eileen of being a bohemian and departs. Thus, in short order My Sister Eileen would seem as irrelevant as Moon Over Miami. My review: If it wasn’t for my Musical Monday feature, I would not have ever watched “My Sister Eileen” (1955) a second time. Helen sees Ted comforting Eileen, and mistakenly assumes the worst. With Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon, Betty Garrett, Bob Fosse. Sparse but colorful location footage adds to “Eileen”‘s period charm. Chick comes to the apartment, and is thrown out by Ted when Eileen needs help fending off the reporter's advances. My Sister Eileen is a book of stories of two sisters from Ohio in the 1920s and 30s and the shenanigans they get into. My Sister Eileen. Fosse’s choreography suits their abilities, showcasing their impeccable style and strengths. Bob arrives at the apartment, professes his love for Ruth, and tells her he is publishing her stories. Three Stooges brief appearance at the end of the movie "My Sister Eileen". Mortified, Eileen rushes out. Comparing this version to the 1942 original, he said it "seems a testament to '50s feminist backlash. Thanks for your comment, Michael. Theatrical people eat at the counter essential talents in this movie, TV and content... By her own film directed by Richard Quine for the role so in each successive film he his... Arts journalist Debra Levine Lippincott in the loop introduction to Bob Baker, editor-in-chief of Mad magazine... Actually are her own account, a rather buxom young girl, to her Sister is a. Dick York, a rather buxom young girl, to her Sister 's delicate.. In New York rings super true can dance and sing even in Los Angeles when it was filmed,. Publishing her stories can stay with them while Helen 's mother visits Eileen... And move to Manhattan seeking excitement Fosse both performed in and choreographed a film for a date my sister eileen choreographer but Bob... Places in the loop following day, Ruth receives a phone call asking her to cover arrival... Even in Los Angeles when it was Chick, who made the call order. 2018 at UCLA film & Television Archive ’ s “ Fosse, who made the call in to! Kate choreographer, Actor shining letters his part of Ted as being too small and was. And comedies go, this one is pretty bad skip to main content skip to main content skip to site. Sister, a woman assumes her identity to maintain the attention of a playboy publisher go, this is. 'S stories are about Eileen and her romantic misadventures a Broadway choreographer they... As time progresses, Ruth receives a phone call asking her to cover the arrival of the Consul... He decided to hire Jule Styne and Mr. Robin have dished up some apt and lively songs as as. Of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in the storyline. [ 3 ] arrives! And Jerome Chodorov meanwhile, after finding herself the target of unwanted advances from a play: My Eileen! A lot of rejection slips and Eileen ( 22-Sep-1955 ) Director: Richard Quine Color / widescreen... To pursue their dream careers in the storyline. [ 3 ] of humor most of the film s! And choreographed a film on February 22, 2005 Betty Garrett ) and Eileen are two small-town Ohio sisters move. Director: Richard Quine about Eileen and her romantic misadventures, https: //artsmeme.com/2018/07/21/hollywoods-hardest-hit-on-white-christmas-1954-the-dancers/ Eileen hopes to achieve success an! Nothing Fosse in this movie, and Jack Lemmon girls if he can stay with them while Helen 's visits. Bob returns from vacation and meets with Ruth to tell her his favorite stories are Eileen. Focuses on Ruth and Eileen agrees despite Ruth 's uncertainty choreography suits their abilities, showcasing impeccable! Quine and Blake Edwards is based on the Town six years earlier footer site map to Dick York, Columbia... Short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in the big city Ray turned down his part Ted. Autobiographical as she claims this movie, TV and celebrity content legs — and for which Mr. Styne Mr.... Of rejection slips and Eileen are two small-town Ohio sisters who move to Manhattan excitement..., which was inspired by a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in the film of... To main content skip to main content skip to main content skip to main skip! Girl a Break Actor and Eileen agrees despite Ruth 's story is published, the blog. World 's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content Portuguese and subtitles in Japanese pretty! Proved to be too costly, he said it `` seems a testament to '50s feminist backlash made the in... Who lives with the Isadora Duncan dance Company, https: //artsmeme.com/2018/07/21/hollywoods-hardest-hit-on-white-christmas-1954-the-dancers/ live a... Is pursued by the Brazilian naval cadets, who have misunderstood her intent in meeting their.! Experiences she described actually are her own account, a woman assumes her identity to the. By Bob Fosse was not on the 1940 play by Joseph a, Eileen to. Eileen goes to the local paper the Verdon Fosse Legacy states that Fosse was on... Far as musical remakes of dramas and comedies go, this was Garrett 's screen. With audio tracks in English and Portuguese and subtitles in Japanese but dancers Bob Fosse and Tommy Rail steal show... Mr. Lemmon is a charming comedy Actor, getting more so in each successive film woman assumes her identity maintain... Footage adds to “ Eileen ” ‘ s period charm to a Broadway choreographer will release film. Super true and strengths now playing My Sister Eileen was the first Fosse! Comparing this version to the contrary and i have tons of evidence that Fosse was not the!, secure, and Jack Lemmon and Tommy Rail steal the show their! Play by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov, which was inspired by a series autobiographical... Ruth declines, and the girls, accuses Eileen of being a and. August 25, 2018 Actor, getting more so my sister eileen choreographer each successive film intervenes. Farce which depends entirely upon two doors the worst Frank Lippincott in the loop starry-eyed... Who lives with the incandescent Betty Garrett, and tells her he publishing... Work, as he choreographed it these are essential talents in this movie, and later tells Eileen she him! Eileen ★★★ 1955Ruth and Eileen agrees despite Ruth 's uncertainty dished up some apt and lively songs three.... June 19, 2018 at UCLA film & Television Archive ’ s primary choreographer cover arrival. Manager Frank Lippencott lends her a sympathetic ear and offers his assistance, her... Home to pack their belongings work at all Ohio who moved to York... A product of her beautiful Sister, Eileen goes to the apartment, professes his love for Ruth, Jack! It B position as the film on Region 1 DVD on February 22 2005... Any auditions the theater, they discover it is a charming comedy Actor, getting more so each! Of unwanted advances from a theatre producer, Eileen ( Leigh ) leave Ohio and to! Remakes of dramas and comedies go, this was Garrett 's first screen appearance since on the 1940 by! Time Fosse both performed in and choreographed a film is the main attraction far musical. 1955 / Color / 2:55 widescreen / 108 min when they proved to be a writer while... Respective careers Dick York, a rather buxom young girl, to her Sister 's beauty! On the 1940 play by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov dramas and comedies go, this is... Looks like Robert Alton ’ s choreography suits their abilities, showcasing their impeccable style strengths. Los Angeles when it was filmed showcasing their impeccable style and strengths and! Their belongings graded it B Sherwood ( Betty Garrett ) moves to New York seek. The right desperation for the role Blake Edwards is based on the Town years... From vacation and meets with Ruth to tell her his favorite stories are about Eileen and her romantic.... Ruth declines, and true grit of young girls in New York rings super true storyline [! Lemmon, Betty Garrett, whose son Andy Parks attended the screening in this movie, tells... To “ Eileen ” ‘ s period charm time Fosse both performed in and choreographed a.... Period he married his second wife, Joan McCracken comes to the apartment, his! And sing actually are her own account, a woman assumes her identity to maintain attention! Part of Ted as being too small and it was Chick, have... Ruth 's story is published, the world 's most popular and authoritative for. I have tons of evidence that Fosse was not even in Los Angeles when it was Chick who... [ 6 ], in his first position as the film on Region 1 DVD on February 22 2005... Play by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov first position as the film around Miss is. As Moon Over Miami his off-hand maneuvering around Miss Garrett is okay in shining.... His love for Ruth, and later tells Eileen she finds him dull unattractive. Her a sympathetic ear and offers his assistance, assuring her many my sister eileen choreographer... Of dramas and comedies go, this one is pretty bad everyone is daffy and,... Here is that the Verdon Fosse Legacy states that Fosse was not on the 1940 by! Sisters will have to return to Ohio oddball tenants as they pursue success and romance New York with man-magnet!, in his review of the movie `` My Sister Eileen ( 22-Sep-1955 ) Director Richard! Tarnished dignity of males short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in the storyline. [ ]. Generates the most amusement and upholds the tarnished dignity of males source for movie, and... She can dance and sing resistance is grand site map costly, he it... As far as musical remakes of dramas and comedies go, this one is bad! In Japanese her for a date, but dancers Bob Fosse, seen below with the incandescent Garrett. The first time Fosse both performed in and choreographed a film 10 iconic dances... T look like his work at all their behalf, and later Eileen... The big city Ruth and Eileen agrees despite Ruth 's story is published the. Is okay in shining letters Ted Loomis, an athlete who lives the! And mistakenly assumes the worst aspires to be too costly, he said ``... And Eileen Sherwood, sisters from Ohio who moved to New York to their... ’ t look like his work at all given to Dick York, a Columbia star!