Ardee

Ardee
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Asheville, North Carolina,
Birthday
October 18
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Super Hero
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Artwork for banner adapted from "Mister X," by William P. Marks, Vortex Comics • Blog Title from "Serenity" by Joss Whedon _________________________ A fiber artist making wool felt garments and gallery owner. Previously, I have been all these things: • architecture office manager • department store clerk • restaurant: waitress, bartender & barback, cashier, busboy, dishwasher, prep cook, line cook, manager • architecture student • engineering draftsman • graphic designer • advertising art director • magazine publisher • fanzine: publisher, editor, writer, photographer, designer • garage band manager • web designer & programmer • database (FM pro) developer • software trainer • non-profit organization staff member • ad salesman • fiber artist: weaver, spinner, tapestry weaver, dyer, feltmaker • reader • writer • sailor • runner • drinker, toker • big sister • oldest child • wife (2x) • swinging divorcee

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SEPTEMBER 27, 2009 6:47PM

I miss Robert Preston

Rate: 7 Flag

Oddly, there have been 2 remakes of classic movies, back-to-back, last night and today on OvationTV. Both The Music Man and Victor/Victoria were showpieces for Robert Preston originally, but the remakes were empty and hollow without him.  Last night I watched the first half hour of The Music Man with Matthew Broderick, and it was a laughable exercise. Robert Preston haunted every scene and Borderick could barely squeak in the ghostly presence of the master. 

Then today, a Broadway production of Victor/Victoria was playing with Julie Andrews back in her original role (with some changes in the songs).  But without Preston as Toddy, it's barely there.  I'm missing James Garner too, but really, this was Robert Preston's movie. Oh, who can replace his voice, his star power, his presence?

So  here is a short tribute to Robert Preston; my suggestion is, go directly to your Netflix list and rent the originals. Bless his absent heart!

 

Ya Got Trouble, from The Music Man

 

 
The Shady Dame from Seville  -  Ohmigod, I love this scene! Who else could have killed in that outfit? (Keep watching -  it's cut up with another scene)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Author tags:

victor victoria, music man

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I'm with you on this. He had a very sexy voice and presence.
O'Really?
September 27, 2009 07:00 PM
Yeah, he did some good stuff. And more fundamentally, I miss the "good old" musicals too.
Walter Blevins
September 27, 2009 07:20 PM
This is great, thanks. I like when he sings the sadder-but-wiser girl for me. That's only common sense. Yes, who ever told Matthew Broderick that he would be good in musicals. He's not. Robert Preston has an energy to him that is just so fun to watch.
latethink
September 27, 2009 07:30 PM
O'really - Animal Magnetism! Even playing gay he was sexy!

Walter - yeah, I don't know why musicals have such a bad rap. I grew up with musicals and that was a golden age that really hasn't been duplicated. Chicago wasn't bad, but it was a remake too!

late, there might have been so many other actors who could have done a decent job with it, but Broderick has no charisma at all!
Ardee
September 27, 2009 07:43 PM
Awesome! I'd forgotten how damn funny he was in Victor/Victoria.
iamsurly
September 27, 2009 08:18 PM
I miss The Marx Brothers. That remake of Day at the Races with Nick Nolte was awful.
john blumenthal
September 27, 2009 09:00 PM
I adored him in Mame with Lucille Ball, in addition to both the movies you mentioned here. Class act. Much missed.
Kathy Riordan
September 27, 2009 09:43 PM
surly - that is my favorite scene, but he rocks the whole movie!

John - are all remakes bad? Though, I can't imagine anyone thinking that a Marx Brothers movie could be redone with Nick Nolte!

Kathy - I had forgotten him in Mame though the earlier version with Roz Russell is my favorite (again, the original was the better movie), he made a great Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside!
Ardee
September 27, 2009 10:31 PM
You're right...Robert Preston has it all over Matthew Broderick! Rated
Ralph Tingey
September 28, 2009 01:07 AM
Not a great musical fan, but i always loved The Music Man for some reason. Preston was awesome in that one. I loved the opening train scene.
Michael Rodgers
September 28, 2009 07:46 AM
UK, I'm glad I whetted your appetite!

Ralph - no contest, eh? What has Broderick ever excelled at and how did he pay off the producers?

Michael - not sure why musicals aren't popular anymore - I always loved them - but Preston transcended the genre. Actually, there isn't a dud in the Music Man, and I always loved 'Opie's' lisp too!

Phaedo - you have discriminating taste!
Ardee
September 28, 2009 11:19 AM
I just watched the piece on "The Shady Lady". Thanks for posting it. I often think of Robert Preston. He appears in my head, singing of Marion, the Librarian, or leading the march down the street to 76 Trombones. I have always thought that he was a magnificent talent, and an instructor for all of us in how to "give your all" for your art.
GiGi2009
September 28, 2009 03:43 PM