6070 (6070) wrote, @ 2007-05-02 00:51:00

CABARET (1972)
And as for me,
I made up my mind back in Chelsea,
When I go, I'm going like Elsie.

Start by admitting
From cradle to tomb
It isn't that long a stay.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Only a Cabaret, old chum,
And I love a Cabaret!


This musical is very different from the musicals of yesteryear like OKLAHOMA, or SINGING IN THE RAIN or WEST SIDE STORY. Cabaret seemed naughty and decadent and definitely R-Rated. The Kit Kat Club in Berlin starting in 1931, is the setting of the story. American show girl Sally Boles has big dreams of becoming a movie star and seeks out men who might be able to help her. She has no compuction at all of sleeping with anyone.

Brian is a British scholar who seeks to make his own way in Germany. He knows he is gay but nonetheless starts an ambiguous relationship with Sally whom he has fallen in love with.

The backdrop of the story and perhaps the most important are the twin elements of the musical numbers at the Kit Kat Club hosted by a very menacing appearing M.C. Also, we see the rise of the Nazi party in the background--always the background, but their ascension does affect what happens in the story. America was a very confused country in 1972. The Vietnam War still raged. Protests continued. Richard Nixon will win a second term in office. There seemed to be no light out at the end of the tunnel. America seemed to be under assault and the "bad guys" were winning.

What struck you about this film? What scenes stuck out in your mind? Why?

p.s. Here are the lyrics to the song "Cabaret". Great words... http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/cabaret/cabaret.htm

Post a comment in response:

From:		Anonymous
		Username:
		Username:  Password:  Login?
Subject:	No HTML allowed in subject
	No Image
	Don't auto-format:
Message:	Enter the security code below. Allowed HTML: <a> <abbr> <acronym> <address> <area> <b> <bdo> <big> <blockquote> <br> <caption> <center> <cite> <code> <col> <colgroup> <dd> <dd> <del> <dfn> <div> <dl> <dt> <dt> <em> <font> <h1> <h2> <h3> <h4> <h5> <h6> <hr> <i> <img> <ins> <kbd> <li> <li> <map> <marquee> <ol> <p> <pre> <q> <s> <samp> <small> <span> <strike> <strong> <sub> <sup> <table> <tbody> <td> <tfoot> <th> <thead> <tr> <tt> <u> <ul> <var> <xmp>