
Movie spotlight
Bloomer Girl
In 1956, BLOOMER GIRL was presented in a live television production starring the magnificent Barbara Cook, whose star was then on the rise, with leading roles in CANDIDE and THE MUSIC MAN still in her future. A solid success when it opened on Broadway in 1944, BLOOMER GIRL boasts a glorious score by the legendary team of Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg (THE WIZARD OF OZ). The book by Fred Saidy is set at the brink of the Civil War and addresses issues of women's equality (priorities were the right to vote and to wear bloomers, a liberating alternative to hoop skirts) and racial equality.
Insights
Plot Summary
In a Southern town on the eve of the Civil War, a Southern belle named Daisy is engaged to a man whose family owns slaves. However, she is deeply moved by the plight of the enslaved people and decides to join the abolitionist movement. Her actions lead to comical and dramatic situations as she navigates societal expectations and her own convictions.
Critical Reception
As a filmed version of a Broadway musical, 'Bloomer Girl' was generally met with a lukewarm reception from critics, who often compared it unfavorably to the live stage production. While the musical numbers and some performances were appreciated, the film was often criticized for its pacing and for not fully capturing the energy of the original show.
What Reviewers Say
The film struggled to translate the charm of its stage counterpart to the screen.
Musical numbers provided some entertainment, but were often overshadowed by narrative issues.
Performances were a mixed bag, with some cast members shining brighter than others.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific 1956 film adaptation is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The original Broadway production of 'Bloomer Girl' premiered in 1944 and was notable for its then-controversial depiction of racial themes and for featuring the first use of blackface in a major Broadway musical, although not in a derogatory context for the era.
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