SWEET CHARITY

Sweet Charity


Universal, 1969, Color, 148 minutes, ***½

Released April, 1969



Shirley MacLaine gives one of her greatest performances in this spectacular musical based on Neil Simon's smash Broadway hit. Director Bob Fosse broke new cinematic ground with this freewheeling, visually stunning story of a lovelorn New York dance hall hostess, Charity Hope Valentine, who dreams of old-fashioned romance but gives her heart to one undeserving man after another.



MacLaine joins all-star cast members Chita Rivera, Sammy Davis Jr., Ricardo Montalban and Stubby Kaye in belting out thirteen vibrant Cy Coleman / Dorothy Fields numbers including "Big Spender," "Rhythm of Life," "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This" and the show-stopping "If My Friends Could See Me Now." It's an unforgettable production of an all-time classic.


Producer: Robert Arthur

Director: Bob Fosse

Screenplay: Peter Stone (based on the play by Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, adapted from the screenplay "Notti Di Cabiria" by Federico Fellini, Tullio Ponelli and Ennio Flaiano)

Music Director: Joseph Gershenson

Musical Score: Cy Coleman

Song Score: Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields

Choreography: Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon

Art Direction: Alexander Golitzen, George C. Webb

Set Decoration: Jack D. Moore

Costume Design: Edith Head

Sound: Ronald Pierce, Len Peterson, William Russell, Waldon O. Watson

Cinematography: Robert Surtees

Film Editing: Stuart Gilmore



Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Score - Musical (Cy Coleman), Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Alexander Golitzen, George C. Webb and Jack D. Moore) and Best Costume Design (Edith Head)



Cast: Shirley MacLaine [Charity Hope Valentine], Sammy Davis, Jr. [Big Daddy], Ricardo Montalban [Vittorio Vitale], John McMartin [Oscar Lindquist], Chita Rivera [Nickie], Paula Kelly [Helene], Barbara Bouchet [Ursula], Stubby Kaye [Herman], Alan Hewitt [Nicholsby], Dante D'Paulo [Charlie], John Craig [Man in Fandango Ballroom], Dee Carroll [Woman on Tandem], Tom Hatten [Man on Tandem], Sharon Harvey [Young Woman on Bridge], Charles Brewer [Young Man on Bridge], Richard Angarola [Maitre d'], Henry Beckman, Jeff Burton [Policemen], Ceil Cabot [Married Woman], Alfred Dennis [Waiter at Chile Hacienda], David Gold [Panhandler], Nolan Leary [Manfred], Diki Lerner [Man with Dog on Bridge], Buddy Lewis [Appliance Salesman], Joseph Mell [Man on Bridge], Geraldine O'Brien [Lady on Bridge], Alma Platt [Lady with Hat on Bridge], Maudie Prickett [Nurse on Bridge], Chet Stratton [Waiter], Robert Terry [Doorman], Roger Til [Greeter at Pompeii Club], Buddy Hart, Bill Harrison [Baseball Players], Bick Goss [Drummer Boy], Suzanne Charny [Lead Frug Dancer], Chelsea Brown, Ray Chabeau, Bryan Da Silva, Lynn Fields, Roy Fitzell, Ellen Halpin, Dick Korthaze, April Nevins, Maris O'Neill, Lee Roy Reams, Sandy Roveta, Charleen Ryan, Juleste Salve, Patrick Spohn, Jerry Trent, Ben Vereen, Bud Vest, Lorene Yarnell [Frug Dancers], John Wheeler, Kay York [Dancers in the "Rythmn of Life" Number], John Frayer, Dom Salinaro, Paul Shipton, Walter Stratton [Patrons at Dancehall], Larry Billman, Herman Boden, Dick Colacino, Lynn McMurrey, Ted Monson, Ed Robinson [Waiter-Dancers], Leon Bing, Sue Linden, Jackie Mitchell, Carroll Roebke [Models], Kathryn Doby, Al Lanti, Gloria Mills, Louise Quick, Victoria Scruton, Tiffni Twitchell, Renata Vaselle, Adele Yoshioka [Dancers in "Big Spender" Number], Chuck Harrod, Charles Lunard, Jerry Mann, Frank Radcliffe [Singers]



Musical Program: [0:06] My Personal Property (sung by Shirley MacLaine); [0:15] Big Spender (sung and danced by Chita Rivera, Paula Kelly and Girls Chorus); [0:25] Rich Man's Frug (danced by Ensemble); [0:45] If My Friends Could See Me Now (sung and danced by Shirley MacLaine); [1:01] There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This (sung and danced by Chita Rivera, Paula Kelly and Shirley MacLaine); [1:20] It's a Nice Face (sung by Shirley MacLaine); [1:38] Rhythm of Life (sung and danced by Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ensemble); [1:49] Sweet Charity (sung by John McMartin, danced by McMartin and Shirley MacLaine); [2:00] I'm a Brass Band (sung and danced by Shirley MacLaine and Ensemble); [2:11] I Love to Cry at Weddings (sung by Stubby Kaye and Ensemble); [2:25] Where Am I Going (sung by Shirley MacLaine)