Broadway: The Golden Age
One filmmaker's search for a Broadway that was lost, and the 100 legends that he found.
Broadway: The Golden Age is the most important, ambitious and comprehensive film ever made about America's most celebrated indigenous art form. Award-winning filmmaker Rick McKay Filmed over 100 of the greatest stars ever to work on Broadway or in Hollywood. He soon learned that great films can be restored, fine literature can be kept in print - but historic Broadway performances of the past are the most endangered. They leave only memories that, while more vivid, are more difficult to preserve. In their own words - and not a moment too soon - Broadway: The Golden Age tells the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theater. This is the largest cast of legends ever in one film.
Member Reviews
Awesome Look Back! - tybak1988
I felt like I was sitting in some of those golden age theatres watching those classic shows we wish we could have all seen. This documentary has all sorts of inside stories and information, and is jam packed with legendary stars. The overall question of the documentary is still questionable, whether it really was a "golden" age, but it sure made me want to go back into time and find out for myself!An all-too rare documentation of one of 20th Century America's offerings to the world... - Yogini
Forget jazz and baseball: Broadway theatre of the 20th century is America's greatest contribution to the English-speaking world! It was mind-boggling to see and hear Laurette Taylor's original Broadway stage version of Cherie (Bus Stop), and to realize that every actor since has merely copied that. And I agree with comments by several of the aging actors: 21st century Broadway theatre cannot hold a candle to the incandescense of 20th century Broadway theatre. I have sat, aghast, as patrons around me gave standing ovations to drivel! It is true: once people have spent $500 or $600 on an evening out, they have to pretend to themselves and others that it was worth it - so they accord standing ovations to the worst instances of "mic'ed" schlock. Most of modern theatre doesn't deserve to be considered in the same breath with the glory days of Broadway, although I have thoroughly enjoyed some local amateur theatre (the Milford group, in Prince Edward County). It is too bad that film-maker Rick Mckay, like so many of his generation, just HAD to make himself the star! I see it all the time in wait-persons in restaurants - they are all of them stars in their own right - or stars of their own sit-coms, or something equally irritating and nauseating. I don't go to restaurants to lavish my attention on the wait-staff, and I would most certainly have preferred to see a good documentary, for instance like the incomparable Ken Burns does, of this wonder of the 20th century: Broadway! Forget jazz and baseball!Excellent documentary on the Broadway era! - Cricri7
I am too young to have seen all those great Broadway plays but this documentary takes you in those magnificent plays by interviewing Broadway stars of yesterday about this fabulous era. This documentary contains fabulous interviews with, just to name a few, Jerry Orbach, Carol Burnett, Charles Nelson Reilly, Gwen Verdon, Eli Wallach, etc.
This documentary deserves to be seen. Those incredible actors sure know how to tell a story, sure they may embellished a bit but they sure are incredible!
Member Reviews
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Awesome Look Back! - tybak1988
I felt like I was sitting in some of those golden age theatres watching those classic shows we wish we could have all seen. This documentary has all sorts of inside stories and information, and is jam packed with legendary stars. The overall question of the ...An all-too rare documentation of one of 20th Century America's offerings to the world... - Yogini
Forget jazz and baseball: Broadway theatre of the 20th century is America's greatest contribution to the English-speaking world! It was mind-boggling to see and hear Laurette Taylor's original Broadway stage version of Cherie (Bus Stop), and to realize that ...Excellent documentary on the Broadway era! - Cricri7
I am too young to have seen all those great Broadway plays but this documentary takes you in those magnificent plays by interviewing Broadway stars of yesterday about this fabulous era. This documentary contains fabulous interviews with, just to name a few, ...