THE BOY FRIEND (1971)

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:50 pm

Noticed that Warners is doing a DVD release of Ken Russell's super version of The Boy Friend. I just love this film, boasting a terrific star performance by Twiggy. The film has all the usual Ken Russell flourishes but with a loving eye toward the original Sandy Wilson stage production and the wonderful music.

Along with Twiggy there are great turns by Christopher Gable, Max Adrian, Antonia Ellis, Moyra Fraser, Bryan Pringle, Georgina Hale, Tommy Tune, Catherine Willmer, and Glenda Jackson in a funny cameo.

The show-within-a-show theme, the dancing, and the eye-popping color make this a feast for fans of musicals.

Brooksie · Post by **Brooksie** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:17 pm

This is wonderful news! I've been waiting for this for a long time. It's a great movie that has become almost unavailable over the years - I had it on an increasingly scratchy video copy (in fact, I think it might have even been Betamax copied over to VHS!) but even that is long since disappeared.

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:44 pm

Yup a first-time DVD release. Even the old VHS was hard to find....

westegg · Post by **westegg** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:53 am

One of the most underrated musicals of all time. The laserdisc edition was spectacular. I have that and the VHS tape--plus the original LP soundtrack. Oh yeah, I was also one of the few people who saw the movie when originally released, and little did I know it was the truncated version. On a side note, about ten years ago I attended a screening which had Twiggy in a q & a session (along with set designer Tony Walton), and they were delightful.

FrankFay · Post by **FrankFay** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:23 am

I'd love to see this again. As I recall a review at the time said "Twiggy sings fairly well, dances rather better and displays a modest bosom"

westegg · Post by **westegg** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:49 am

In retrospect I find Twiggy's performance quite charming and central to the film's success. Her character is such an endearing presence among the more experienced stage characters in the film. Just about everyone in the cast is a hoot, and Ken Russell's inspired direction leaves so many other lumbering musicals in the dust. And all on a $2 million budget!

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:21 am

Twiggy is just adorable in this film, and I love the "evil" Antonia Ellis as the ambitious Maisie. Russell brilliantly juxtaposes the reallities of small-time touring theater with each character's dream of a big splashy film version. I watch this film at least once a year. Love the music. Also listen for Tommy Tune is what he seems to pronounce as AB nesia.

didi-5 · Post by **didi-5** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:59 am

Such a shame this is a Warner archive release - the film deserves to be much better known. It really is superb and I never get tired of it. Tommy Tune's only film appearance apart from Hello Dolly I believe?

westegg · Post by **westegg** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 7:49 am

Right, other than a hard to find 1976 short (I forget the details, other than he was using a broom in front of a Hollywood theater) in which he did some dancing.