Moon Over Broadway

From Andy Hardy musicals and plays like Noises Off and Kiss Me, Kate, we all have images of what it's like behind-the-scenes during a theatrical production. But in this movie from two award-winning documentarians, the true story of one play's run--from its first read-through to its last performance--is more filled with intrigue and problems than any fictitious drama would have dreamt up. Most interesting is the fact that the director and writer have a huge problem with Carol Burnett's overacting and paraphrasing of her lines, while it's obvious everytime we see a scene from the play that the writing is in desperate need of help--and in fact Burnett gets great reviews, while the play itself is slammed by the critics. Especially noteworthy are a scene where Burnett's co-star, the venerable Phillip Bosco, finally loses it with the director, and a scene where the first reviews come in--"They're bad, but they're not mean bad" says one man, who's agency will use the reviews to write an ad. If you like the theater, this video is the equivalent of a page-turner--you won't be able to hit the pause button!

Carol Burnett is the reason I went to see the play on Broadway called MOON OVER BUFFALO. Carol Bernett was a joy in the play and also in this movie. Phil Bosco and Jane Connell are the icing on the cake, as they were in the play, and in this movie.

I knew nothing about this documentary until I was walking past the Film Forum one evening in lower Manhattan. There was a movie poster with Carol Burnett's face on it, and I wondered what the heck this movie was since I had not heard anything about it.

I bought a ticket and went right in and was delighted. What a thrill to watch the making of a Broadway hit as it unfolds, mistakes and all.

The reason to watch this movie is the same that I went to see the play on Broadway. Carol Burnett. This is a master class in BRILIANCE, as led by Carol Burnett. Even considering actors are human and have faults, here is a master at work, who proves she can work under any circumstances. This movie is a gem.

All sorts of drama unfolds within this film. Diva-esque actresses, lying producers, inept writers....Basically, it's your average Broadway show. There are some amazingly revealing moments here. At one point, Thom Moore, the director of Moon Over Buffalo criticizes Carol Burnett...She nods and accepts the criticism, but you can see the hurt in her eyes. I think Burnett comes out as the heroine of this film. One night in Boston, the set breaks down and she goes out to entertain the audience by answering questions about her life and so forth. An excellent film that is really really hard to find!

If we go by this film, the theatre world could take the gold medal in backstabbing.

I saw "Moon Over Buffalo" on Broadway. Throughout the first act, you wondered whether the play was really funny, or if it was that Philip Bosco & Carol Burnett were so good. The second act, you just screamed all the way through. I mention Bosco first because, although not apparent here, he had the lead role in the show, with a great deal of slapstick. He and Burnett were both wonderful, but Bosco was not overshadowed by Burnett. It was a very funny show.

The snobbery on display here is fascinating. The director disparages Burnett behind her back for being a tv actress. I guess the Broadway shows she did in the late 50's-early 60's don't count.

And I really felt sorry for Ken Ludwig, the playwright, who is treated as if he were a black cat continually crossing the path of everyone connected with the show. His "Lend Me A Tenor" is a brilliant farce, and "Moon Over Buffalo" is only slightly below that in quality. He really gets a shaft up his ass here, with no justification. His lead character in "Lend Me A Tenor" is feckless, likable, nervous and ultimately talented. Watching him here, it is obvious that he based the character on himself.

But, as in his plays, Ludwig gets the last laugh. At the end of this film, a list scrolls by of all the productions of "Moon Over Buffalo" around the world. Everyone has moved on to other projects, but Ludwig is still making money off of this. Good.

An edge-of-your-seat thriller for the theatergoers among us, "Moon Over Broadway" is the documentary record of Carol Burnett's return to Broadway after a 30-year-stopover in Hollywood. Will "Moon Over Buffalo" make it to Great White Way? Will the critics accept Burnett back into the Broadway fold? Will the damn thing make money for the Landesman's and their co-producers?

In 1997, Ms. Burnett took on the task, along with noted thespian Philip Bosco, attempting to make Ken Ludwig's mediocre farce palatable to the theater crowd deeply buried in the over-the-top world of Andrew Lloyd Weber. And work overtime they did! What is most fascinating here is seeing Ms. Burnett and Mr. Bosco uncertain of their own talents. Often we find Carol unsure of herself, attempting to justify acting choices that really don't matter much when you have such a weak vehicle. The constant `new pages' cause her to worry that her years of improv in TV fare have left her unable to keep up with the rigors of molding a finished product. And then there's Bosco uncharacteristically bellowing as he realizes the laughs just aren't there.

It's a treat to follow these two, along with director Tom Moore and the playwright, from first reading to closing in New York, all taking place in just a bit over a year. I saw the show on Broadway. Since it's closed a long time ago you won't have the chance. Not necessarily a drawback! This film is much more entertaining and will keep you on your toes wondering what hurdle these professionals will next have to overcome.