Midnight Oil:Movies and More

Shirley MacLaine is “Sweet Charity” (1969). A Broadway musical converted into a film vehicle, the plotline follows the misadventures of the hopeless romantic, Charity Hope Valentine as she seeks to escape her sleazy lifestyle as a taxi dancer at the Fandango Ballroom. Ms. MacLaine is a bright light in this film in her performance as the ingenuous Charity. But let’s all be honest and admit that the whole thing is just a big excuse to watch the incredible dance numbers put together by Bob Fosse. At least, that’s the way it is for me.

“Sweet Charity”(1969) has been shown in the past on SNAM and was recently screened again.

Not to be missed is the dance sequence, “The Rich Man’s Frug” by Bob Fosse. Remember that toy with the crazy plastic boxers slugging each other? Take a gander at this little number on the dance floor with “The Heavyweight”.

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Catch the video trailer for “Sweet Charity” (1969) here.

"My Sister Eileen" 1955  is chock full of a sunny optimism and great dance moves courtesy of Bob Fosse. Fosse as the underdog suitor of the highly attractive Eileen (Janet Leigh) is entirely unremarkable - until he puts on his dancing shoes, that is. Eileen's older sister, played by Betty Garrett, isn't a bad hoofer either as she tries every trick she knows to get published while in the Big Apple. My only regret is that we don't get to see Jack Lemmon graduate from charm school into a dance number. A song will have to do.

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Catch the video from the Interviews by TVO about "My Sister Eileen"

This film was screened with "Sweet Charity" also previously reviewed on Midnight Oil.

See Bob Fosse's wonderful coreography in this video segment from "My Sister Eileen" (1955)