Movie of the musical, anyone? - Ragtime (1981) Discussion

[–] brownrecluse62 20 years ago

A novel of the musical could be incredible. The only problem I have with your idea is that you want to make it. I want to make this film! That is what I suggest about your version.

Just kidding! I do aspire to make this film, but I won't stop you from developing your idea. It's a good one.

A straight transcription of the play to the film would not work, in my opinion. There are too many things in the play that are purely theatrical in nature, such as asides to the audience and all. I'd make a lot of changes if I adapted this movie from stage to screen. For one thing, I'd scrap all the 3rd-person narration people do about themselves. I'd change a lot of the dialogue, because I thought the play's dialogue wasn't good. I'd open it up a lot for the purposes of film -- sweeping photography, cool production design, more cinematic score, etc.

I also want to read Doctorow's screenplay and maybe incorporate a lot of that for the film version. I found the play to be a little thin in terms of dramatics.

Get back to me on this -- I definitely think the play has strong cinematic potential and I'd be interested in hearing how you view it.

"Enjoy the show. For one day, we shall die." --Cirque de Purée guy on The Simpsons

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[–] shawnyboy90 17 years ago

I have always thought that if any musical should be a movie this is the one....i do have to disagree with the opinion of cutting the 3rd person narration, but to make it voice overs. Don't show the character talking about themselves but make it seems like a group of people telling a story together. I also read alot of the casting ideas, and was rather shocked at some. This is a musical in its truest form. Singing must come first for this type of movie. Coalhouse has to have a rich and powerful voice. I honestly don't think you can cast for star power in a film version of this musical, simply because all of the singing has to be carried out by such powerful voices. Audra and Brian in my opinion would be great. Neither are strangers to film. I did read something about John C. Reilly as father and think that its a fantastic idea but he would be an even better Harry Houdini in my opinion with Ralph Fiennes(keep in mind he sang a small amount in the Prince of Egypt soundtrack) as father. Alan Cummings would make a great Tahteh with some facial hair. Many characters would be better as unknowns or broadway actors and actresses, but perhaps for the "star power" cast stars as cameo characters. And just for *beep* and giggle, as i think this would be a horrible idea, but Samuel L. Jackson as Booker *beep* T.

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[–] Owlzindabarn 17 years ago

Phooey; if you want to make this movie and have it sell, you'd have Will Smith as Coalhouse and Denzel as Booker T. Maybe Jada could play Sarah. Meanwhile, you'd have John Schneider as Father, Matthew Perry as Tateh and Danny Bonaduce as Willy Conklin. Mickey Rooney would be perfect as Grandfather (but you'd probably have to call him Great-Grandfather at this point). And if you must use Alan Cumming, can't you see him as Houdini?

This way, you'd get legitimate, and well-loved singing talent in the leading roles, and interesting choices for the minor parts.

I'm serious!

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[–] shawnyboy90 15 years ago

Forget having it sell, I'd rather make it good. Will Smith, Denzel, Jada......none of them are singers at all. Great actors no doubt, but this requires heavy duty singing. They wouldn't cut it.

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[–] brownrecluse62 20 years ago

"Enjoy the show. For one day, we shall die." --Cirque de Purée guy on The Simpsons

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[–] Arikian 20 years ago

Dennis Haysbert would be a GREAT Booker T. Washington. Looks EXACTLY like him, a very elegant and powerful actor, ideal vocal range, and apparently a pretty good singer. Definite first choice.

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[–] cfabar1 20 years ago

I think (although he's probably too old now) Avery Brooks would make a great Coalhouse, and I could even picture him singing it as he has a great voice.

I think Ragtime would make a great film, and hey, if people can tolerate the musical style of Phantom of the Opera in the box office, why couldn't they tolerate this?

The 3rd person asides in the Prologue are a must for several reasons, but perhaps most importantly they display to the audience important information about the story and also it provides a nice underscore to expose the audience to most of the music.

Perhaps some of the not-so-good songs could be cut, reworked, or replaced, but all in all i think it could easily work. The court order scene I could imagine being slightly reworked to be even funnier, and though this might seem controversial, find a way to incorporate make them hear you as a men's chorus number as well as a solo.

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[–] LTripp 19 years ago

Mother-Nicole Kidman

Father-John C. Reilly

Younger Brother-Patrick Wilson

Coalhouse Walker-Taye Diggs

Tateh-Adam Pascal

Sarah-Brandy

Evelyn Nesbit Thaw-Jennifer Ellison

Henry Ford-Victor Garber

Houdini-Alan Cumming

Booker T. Washington-Dorsey Wright

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[–] cyberpunk521 19 years ago

I am a huge Nicole Kidman fan....but honestly, she is not nearly powerful enough of a singer to handel Mother vocally.
Adam Pascal has a rock voice...and his voice would not fit with Tateh, especially when you consider the type of person Tateh is.
And honestly.....pop stars should stay the hell away from musicals, especially ones with beautiful music like ragtime, I hate listening to people ruin classics with trills and *beep* that they think makes it sound cool.
peace

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[–] juliannahp 19 years ago

I love Adam Pascal, but as Tateh??? Is that a joke?

I could definetly see patrick wilson as Younger Brother, though.

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[–] entertainerk 19 years ago

Audra McDonald is one of the most fabulous film actors I've seen - You might as well put her in the movie. A great suggestion would be to cut out the extra profanity so the movie can be rated PG - then anyone could watch it. The musical teaches history and ethics so well. Oh, and the third person dialogue must stay in. Though the words are simple, they strike you. I would keep it as close to the musical as possible

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[–] tito131 18 years ago

In response to this cast list....

Mother-Nicole Kidman could work i suppose

Father-John C. Reilly no

Younger Brother-Patrick Wilson I'm not sure about this one, but i'm leanin no.

Coalhouse Walker-Taye Diggs someone's on my wavelength too.

Tateh-Adam Pascal no too young

Sarah-Brandy she's got the voice but can she act? I don't know i haven't seen her in anything.

Evelyn Nesbit Thaw-Jennifer Ellison maybe

Henry Ford-Victor Garber no.

Houdini-Alan Cumming perhaps...if he can sing.

Booker T. Washington-Dorsey Wright

this only seems to be a small list though...

I'm not sure who would play certain parts necessarily but there are actors you want for parts that I think would fit better in other roles..

such as John C. Reilly I would cast as Willie Conklin

Victor Garber I'd cast as J.P. Morgan.

as for Houdini....if he could sing i think Adrien Brody would be perfect....IF he can sing.

I had actually envisioned Nicole Kidman as Evelyn Nesbit and not as mother. but i suppose she could do mother.

as ridiculous as it seems I always thought Mandy Patinkin could play Tateh...again. he played him wonderfully in the original movie....AND he is a fantastic singer. he's done tons of broadway...he was the "greek Chorus" in the Original Broadway cast of EVITA the part that Banderas had in the movie version some years later. Patinkin may be too old to play it now...perhaps...but i'd like to see him in the make up and costume to be sure.

so that's my response to that cast list.

I dont' think however it'd be wise to fill a musical movie cast with complete people that are known already. fill top billings with people like Taye Diggs, and whoever else would play mother father and Sarah and Tateh and then fill the rest in with professional broadway stars that most movie goers wont know. or even fill the rest with really talented unknowns.

Sweeney Todd cast big names in its leads....and while I like them as actors I'm not sure of them in those role...Depp and Bonham Carter seem too young to me. but most of the rest of the cast are relative "unkowns" which is very smart.

that's just me though

First she's Jekyll and then she's Hyde. At least she makes a Lovely pair.

T.RK.F.

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[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Ms_Floyd 16 years ago

no offense but if that were the real cast, i would NOT want to see the movie and Ragtime is my favorite musical.

iOLE!

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[–] willthrillws 19 years ago

I honestly belive that it would only be a good job to use the original cast I mean come on Brandy over Audra McDonald have you heard the song "Your Daddy's Son" Brandy would kill it. In the new movie musical version of "Rent" they are using most of the original cast and I think that is the only way to go with movie musicals

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[–] MusicalFreak84 19 years ago

I think Mandy Patinkin could play Tateh.

"I am what I am and what I am is no excuses!" LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

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[–] mabemi_us 19 years ago

I don't know why they couldn't use alot of the actors from the musical. Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDaonald were so good in their roles. I really feel strongly about this because it was the first musical I ever saw on Broadway and still is my favorite. I agree that Patrick Wilson would be a great younger brother but he is my favorite actor.

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[–] tdirtyatl 19 years ago

I think with the success of "Moulin Rouge","Chicago" and "De-Lovely",
It's just a matter of time that "Ragtime" is made into a film as well. I hope so, because this show has some of the best music and storylines I've ever seen.
I'd personally love to see how the opening song with all the different races thrown together and suspiciously eyeing each other translates on screen.

I hope they keep Brian Stokes Mitchell as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. No one else could do it justice.

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[–] Nazimova23 19 years ago

Mitchell is no longer his fresh-faced self. I love his voice, but he's past this role.

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[–] reddreagon 19 years ago

I think Taye Diggs woyld make a fantastic Coalhouse! And I doubt it would work, but I always see Denzel Washington as Booker T. Washington. Don't know if he can sing though.

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[–] tdirtyatl 19 years ago

How about Danny Glover as Booker T. Washington?
Ossie Davis (RIP) would have been perfect.

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[–] unexpectedsong232 19 years ago

NO one could do Coalhouse like Brian Stokes Mitchell but if he is(I don't know) past the age...how about Jesse L Martin? He is a great bass.

Brandy over Audra makes me want to cry. I can't imagine anyone else in that role..even though I saw someone else do it.

I love Mandy Patinkin as Tateh. I just saw him Sunday in the Park with George and it would be Perfect!

I wasn't impressed enough with Patrick Wilson to really want him for Younger brother. he has a nice singing voice but didn't have any energy on film.

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[–] Nazimova23 19 years ago

Jesse L. Martin lacks range as an actor.

How about we not make a movie of the musical, as it's too stagebound, and just make a cable miniseries of the novel instead?

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[–] jared5050 19 years ago

good idea on the cable miniseries of the novel, bad idea on the "instead" Ok, this might sound crazy....but... what would you think of Ragtime as a cartoon? I know it sounds insane but hear me out...

you could keep a lot of the original people for the voices and it doesn't have to be like a little kid cartoon. That's not what I'm saying at all. The things you could do with animation would be far easier to carry over from the stage. I mean, unless it was done with real people insanly well, it could potentially look incredibally cheesy. If anyone has ever seen Fantasia 2000, the animation for "Rhapsody in Blue" would be perfect for a Ragtime cartoon movie. The only thing I would disagree with myself is that it might not have the same emotional impact that a real movie would have. So, U don't know, it's half a good idea.

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[–] peachykeenamh 19 years ago

yeah except the people who might most appreciate a cartoon probably wouldn't appreciate Ragtime. And also, a cartoon sort of sends an amiable, happy kind of mood, which isn't really right for Ragtime...

But I think it should definitely be made into a movie!!! I've thought so ever since I found out there was a NON-MUSICAL version of it. But I guess it was of the book not the musical. I don't remember the book, I read it a long time ago....

This and Les Mis need to have musical movie versions...

oy with the poodles already

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[–] MontysPython56 19 years ago

I just got the cast recording for Christmas and absolutely LOVE IT! Would I like to see a film version of the musical? Yes, because the show is no longer being done on Broadway or touring. Do I think it would work? No. I think the musical version of Ragtime was meant soley for the stage. But if there is a film version, and I've said this before, NO HOLLYWOOD CAST!

"Are you sugessting that cocoanuts migrate?"

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[–] Nazimova23 19 years ago

Might be a better idea to just revive it for Broadway than film it.

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[–] wolfy_the_black 17 years ago

FREAKIN' AGREED!

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[–] lrcarson-1 17 years ago

Jesse L. Martin would be PERFECT as Coalhouse Walker!!! OMG... that would be a dream!

Not enough range?... did u see him in RENT? He was AMAAAAZING!

Anyways... I'm still waiting for this musical to come back to BROADWAY! PLEASE!!! :(

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[–] Will_Scarlet 19 years ago

Mother - Marin Mazzie
Coalhouse - Jesse L. Martin
Tateh - Mandy Patinkin
Father - Victor Garber
Sarah - Audra McDonald
Mother's Younger Brother - Neil Patrick Harris
Emma Goldman - Minnie Driver
Henry Ford - Dennis O'Hare

'Normal' is a term invented by the majority as an excuse for making fun of the minority.

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[–] robert-484 19 years ago

Minnie Driver? Oh no no no ... that's not right at all. I love the idea of Victor Garber as Father, though, That's just genius. I'm not so sure about Doogie Howser for Younger Brother though ... the guy can sing yes, but I much prefer the previous suggestion of Patrick Wilson (and to the person who claimed he didn't have any impact on film during Phantom, I have to ask if you've seen Angels in America or not.) As for Mandy Patinkin. I love the guy. I think he's a brilliant actor (and an interesting tie in from the Milos Foreman film) but as soon as he starts singing, I cringe. So I'd have to pass on him (and no, I don't have a replacement.)

I'd love to see Ragtime: The Musical transposed to film, but I really don't think it'd work too terribly well without a re-work (I've never actually seen it on stage, so only have the soundtrack to go on ... which I love.) If Phantom taught us anything, it's that a huge, lush, sweeping, sung through musical doesn't transfer too well when you leave the source material (relatively) intact. I'm no film maker, so I wouldn't even know where to start.

I'm very sad I missed Ragtime the two times it came through Vancouver. I know better now.

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[–] tread-on-my-dreams 19 years ago

I just played Younger Brother in a college production of Ragtime and if Phantom is any indication, I really don't think Patrick Wilson could handle the role acting-wise. On the other hand, I hadn't even thought about Neil Patrick Harris, but I think he's a great choice if they made Ragtime into a movie. Or if they do a revival soon (which I'm 99% sure wouldn't happen).

As for Minnie Driver, I could actually see her as Evelyn Nesbit. It would help if she were a bit younger, but the woman who played her on Broadway was only a few years younger when she played the role, so perhaps it doesn't matter.

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[–] AMohajer1 19 years ago

Some of these casting ideas are horrible!

I have long thought that the musical "Ragtime" would be perfect for a film adaptation because it basicaly scores itself... have you ever really listened to the orchestrations? They are better than most film scores I have ever heard and would be extremely emotionally effective here!

Also, the message is so poignant and powerful that combined with this amazing score, it would be a successful venture into film.

However, we CANNOT cast big names with mediocre singing or acting ability into these roles, or the integrity of the work goes to *beep* When making these pieces, studios have to cast TALENT and hope that this equals box office success, not the casting of no-talent big names.

Jamie Foxx or Usher as Coalhouse? I would boycott the film! These need to be legit, big voice singers. Only then can the emotion of the work be translated to the audience.

I say audition theatre actors for the roles, and include some big-name broadway actors. Stokes-Mitchell is too old now, but Audra McDonald would be a perfect candidate for Sarah. Cast some famous people in easier roles.... Evelyn Nesbit, Houdini, and an American Idol alum in the role of "Sarah's friend" to sell tickets to that fan base.

If anyone is familiar with Victoria Strong, she is a regional theatre actress but is very well known. She would kill this role (in a good way).

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[–] theatergirl03 19 years ago

Did you see or hear the rivival of Assassins? Neil Patrick Harris is amazing!!! I Love the idea of Mandy Patinkin. The only change i have to that casting above is Minnie Driver, what about Kathy Bates? and I think Taye Diggs could pull off Coalhouse. Or Kingsley Leggs did the part in the tours he is on broadway right now in The Color Purple but it think he could pull of the part as well.

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[–] acaustin 19 years ago

Am I the only person who could possibly see Patti LuPone playing Emma Goldman? I mean, I know it would probably never happen and Patti's too small physically. Sigh.. I would love it though. Hell, I would just love to hear she and Neil Patrick Harris sing "The Night that Goldman Spoke at Union Square". Hmmm.. Maybe Donna Murphy in the right make-up?

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[–] jeffreykare 16 years ago

If Tim Burton would direct it, the cast would be:

Coalhouse: Jamie Foxx
Sarah: Jennifer Hudson
Tateh: Johnny Depp
Mother: Anne Hathaway
Father: Crispin Glover
Younger Brother: Shia Lebouf
Harry Houdini: Sacha Baron Cohen
Booker T. Washington: Denzal Washington
Evelyn Nesbit: Emmy Rossum
Emma Goldman: Helena Bonham Carter
J.P. Morgan: Timothy Spall
Henry Ford: Christopher Walken

Songs:

1. Goodbye, My Love
2. Crime of the Centurary
3. What Kind of Woman
4. Success
5. Getin' Ready Rag
6. Henry Ford
7. Nothing Like the City
8. Your Daddy's Son
9. New Music
10. Wheels of a Dream
11. The Night That Goldman Spoke at Union Square
12. President
13. Harry Houdini, Master Escapist
14. What a Game
15. Atlantic City
16. Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, inc.
17. Our Children
18. Make Them Hear You

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[–] lavenderspirit2005 11 years ago

If Tim Burton would direct it, the cast would be:

Coalhouse: Jamie Foxx
Sarah: Jennifer Hudson
Tateh: Johnny Depp
Mother: Anne Hathaway
Father: Crispin Glover
Younger Brother: Shia Lebouf
Harry Houdini: Sacha Baron Cohen
Booker T. Washington: Denzal Washington
Evelyn Nesbit: Emmy Rossum
Emma Goldman: Helena Bonham Carter
J.P. Morgan: Timothy Spall
Henry Ford: Christopher Walken

My, I like that cast!

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[–] FranklinComesAlive 19 years ago

i dont have any casting suggestions, but im sure that someone out there is trying to get Ragtime made into a movie. i think it should be done within the next 5 years, coming off of the commercial success of Chicago and other musical movies. the only way i could see it done tho is if the director new a LOT about the production and was extremely dedicated, as this seems to be the only way a decent musical works as a movie

a trick is something a whore does for money... or candy!

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[–] thejaynester 19 years ago

as for casting ideas, i just have to say that i dont think taye diggs has the voice. i mean i loved him in rent and.. well everything else that ive seen him in. he was even rockin in equilibrium. but as coalhouse? i just dont think so. i think jesse l martin has a much better voice for that role, but i dont know if he's right either. i say we get out of our rent heads and think about younger, newer broadway stars. but as for audra mcdonald doing sarah, deffinetly. She's amazing and has been and always will be. mandy patinkin too.
what i deffinetly do know though, is that if they turn the musical into a movie, i want to do the costumes!
I think that the musical could deffinetly be made into a movie. I mean, when i saw rent live 4 years ago i didnt think that they could turn it into a movie, cause the whole set is on the stage the whole time including the band. but it turned out beautifully. im sure theres someone out there who'll try to put this into motion soon. and i cant wait to see it.

arise and seize the day

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[–] THESTARCHILD_90 19 years ago

The musical would be an amazing movie; I thought the same thing!!!

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[–] evensong_07 19 years ago

Must agree with Jesse L. Martin, if we MUST lose the great Brian, who was great (recently) in Man of La Mancha, as both the young Cervantes and as the aging Don Quixote. Those against Mandy Patinkin for Tateh, how about Alfred Molina?

Also must agree about Patrick WIlson not portraying much in Phantom. I did see AinA, and he was great in it, but listening to the Ragtime cast recording, in _He Wanted to Say_ there's so much EMOTION in Younger Brother's part, and you just can't hear it in Patrick Wilson's singing as much. Don't really know who would work, though. It's been a while since I've seen a fresh young face on stage that didn't go to my University. THough...I know a guy that would be a great Younger Brother...

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[–] unolimbo 18 years ago

While I saw the production in Toronto, not New York, I did see it twice, I loved it so much.

Honestly, I think its really important to have actual singers do these things. That's what they did in Rent (to an extent) and it worked really well. Moulin Rouge was a very different matter, and a very different type of musical, and it worked that way - Chicago, well, trhe singing wasn't bad for the most part, but it's a much lighter musical. Ragtime would take some serious pipes.

I don't remember who I saw in Toronto, but I know some of them are still performing, and well. I saw the guy who played Younger Brother in the Tempest at Stratford and he looked exactly the same. He was amazing. But the heavier characters need voices to match...

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[–] Sleight_of_Mind 18 years ago

i don't know if anyone has said this, but i like the idea of anthony rapp (mark, RENT) as Younger Brother. He's really a talented perfomer, imho.

Don't Play with Fire. You Will Burn.

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[–] dancingchic 17 years ago

im not commenting on character choices i just have a probably stupid question.
is this on stage anywhere? or is there talk of bringing it back?

Im on Team Captain Jack Sparrow, Savvy?
"its good to be the king"- Mel Brooks

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[–] PenelopeLane 17 years ago

it depends on where you live. if you live in the metro NY area, then yes, they're putting up regional productions of it EVERYWHERE. (I was in one about a year and a half ago) If you don't live around New York, check out your state theatre alliance or whatever or even playbill.com. They have a list of national regional theatres. But I don't remember any productions across the country right now as of this season.

there was talk of the New York city opera, I believe, restaging it for the tenth anniversary of when it premiered on Broadway. It was to open in April 08 or something but things fell through and they may have pushed it back a year--if they're doing it at all...

a movie of ragtime probably won't happen. It didn't last long enough on Broadway to make a huge dent in the *national* conscious. (Like Phantom and Rent did). It was mostly because PHantom and Rent have run on Broadway for over 10 years...(Phantom 20 now in January!) So I think that if they make a movie musical of anything, it'd be Wicked.

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[–] stevenackerman69 17 years ago

It would be an interesting idea. I did a production of Ragtime at a Brooklyn Community Theater last fall, playing Admiral Perry, the Clerk who gives Coalhouse some papers, and the Child Buyer, as well as sang in the Ensemble. It was a lot of fun and had very talented actors, including the guy who played Coalhouse-he was such a nice guy too. Also, the actress who played the Mother sang Back to Before very well and I just worked with her on a production of The Threepenny Opera.

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[–] harryfielder 17 years ago

RAGTIME…Director Milos Forman…
Cast Inc… JAMES CAGNEY…Pat O’Brien…Donald O’Connor…
This cast is a blast from the past…
We film for a few days at Oxford and for me it doesn’t get any better than this.
The scenes are interior of a big office and I’m dressed as a US cop.
Pat O’Brien came onto the set first and shook hands with many of the Supporting Artists (Including me) ‘’How are you son, you look good’’ he said..
Well that’s the best way for me to start the day because now I felt good that this man had taken time to welcome all of us.
Pat moved around the room chatting to cast and crew alike and we were all waiting for the main man to arrive on set..
The noise was quite deafening until someone said ‘’He’s here’’.
You could have heard a pin drop as the main man entered the set.
Everyone stood and applauded and waited for James Cagney to take his position on the set before silence resumed.
There they were in front of me my two heroes of the black and white days of cinema.
I think I’ve seen every film that James has made (Some of them many times)
I feel sorry for the kids of today that never got to see he’s early films and think a good film today has to be bombarded with special effects to make it work.
Let me list some of films of James Cagney to let the kids of today and tomorrow know what they have missed.
The Public Enemy (1931), Scarface (1932), Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), White Heat (1949). Then in the 50s Love Me Or Leave Me (With Doris Day), Mr Roberts. (With a young Jack Lemmon).
I could watch all these films again and never tire.
This was to be James Cagney’s last film and I would like to say, thank you Mr Cagney for entertaining me for so many years.

Aitch,

http://uk.ask.com/web?q="Harry+Fielder";

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