Thu 12/7 @ 7PM
After his huge 1957 hit with The Music Man, Broadway composer Meredith Willson struck gold again with 1960’s The Unsinkable Molly Brown, about a poor but feisty young Colorado woman who marries a wealthy prospector, goes to Europe and charms princes, and survives the sinking of the Titanic as she heads back home to her beloved husband. (The Music Man was still running on Broadway when The Unsinkable Molly Brown opened in late 1960 and ran through early 1962.)
Tammy Grimes played the lead role on Broadway; it made her a stage star. When the 1964 film was made she was replaced by perky movie star Debbie Reynolds, whose own feistiness had been demonstrated after the glamorous Elizabeth Taylor stole her husband, crooner Eddie Fisher. The film ditched much of the original score, although o course it retained the soon-to-be-standard “I Ain’t Down Yet.”
The film, a hit in its day but now forgotten, is the topic of the next edition of The Musical Theater Project’s Movies at Home series. Here’s how it works. First watch TMTP artistic director Bill Rudman’s intro on YouTube which tells you what to look for when you watch the film. Then watch it online (it can be rented on YouTube). Finally join Bill and other musical buffs on Zoom to talk about it on Thursday December 7 @ 7pm. Go here to hook up.
One Response to “Movies at Home Looks at “The Unsinkable Molly Brown””
Michele S Bowman
The film is not forgotten among musical fans. I have this in my collection and watch it at least once a year.