I found this a very good complement to the equally underrated, in my opinion, Isn't She Terrific. There are several memorable, and very effective moments in this film. Michele Lee does a very good job. A small film, but very enjoyable version of a wonderful love, and success story.
I remember how shocked we all were when Ms. Susanne's death was announced. In this film I remember her husbands' quiet pleading for her not to kill herself. I liked the depiction of the depths of Susannes demoralization as she chases "fame", over which she and her husband triumph. Her defense of the criticism of the frank passages in her book, as when she was confronted by her publisher that she couldn't write "You know how bitchy fags can be!" "It's true!" she declaims. I'm a gay man, she was right to defend her writing, and I loved the way Lee played it.
This version includes several EXCELLENT Ethyl Merman scenes, lots of fun, and very well played. I could go on: I saw this once, and was very impressed. Very Different than the Bette Midler version, which, in my opinion is an unusual vehicle to combing two wonderful stage performers, Midler and Nathan Lane. (Unusual yes, but people forget that this is both Midler and Lane together. (two performing legends, together)
I remember how shocked we all were when Ms. Susanne's death was announced. In this film I remember her husbands' quiet pleading for her not to kill herself. I liked the depiction of the depths of Susannes demoralization as she chases "fame", over which she and her husband triumph. Her defense of the criticism of the frank passages in her book, as when she was confronted by her publisher that she couldn't write "You know how bitchy fags can be!" "It's true!" she declaims. I'm a gay man, she was right to defend her writing, and I loved the way Lee played it.
This version includes several EXCELLENT Ethyl Merman scenes, lots of fun, and very well played. I could go on: I saw this once, and was very impressed. Very Different than the Bette Midler version, which, in my opinion is an unusual vehicle to combing two wonderful stage performers, Midler and Nathan Lane. (Unusual yes, but people forget that this is both Midler and Lane together. (two performing legends, together)