Customer Reviews

Stop the World I Want to Get Off [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Did you know that Anthony Newley never sold the film rights to Stop The World...? The studio's promotion notwithstanding, this Warner Brothers release (and the two additional versions that followed, with Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Scolari, respectively) are filmed records of the show in performance on stage. Newley was, in fact, so protective of this show and so concerned with the idea that it might fail to earn it's place in the musical theatre canon because of mishandling or misrepresentation that he twice refused to appear in filmed versions of the show. After the New York critics raved about him as an actor/writer (rather than writer/actor?) he obsessed that the show would be shrugged off as a star vehicle, useless without him. (Likewise, his followup show "Roar of the Greasepaint..." starred Norman Wisdom until producer David Merrick refused to present it without Newley in the lead!) For the first (and only good) "film" Newley endorsed his London replacement Tony Tanner, who had turned this show and role into something of a personal triumph when Newley left for Broadway. Any reservations you may feel about coughing up $20 for a non-Newley "Stop The World" will be found unwarranted when you see Tanner's brilliant star turn. Wry and cynical, by turns put-upon and smug, Tanner breathes glorious life into one of the most alarmingly ambiguous musical roles ever written. Dripping with adroit charm, yet roundly dislikable, Tanner is a marvel to behold.

I saw this in the theatres about 10 times before it ever came out on video. Since I now have the video, I have seen it at least 50 times and it gets better each time. This is the type of show you must see about three times before it becomes great. Each time you see it, something new seems to show up. Would not recommend it to anyone under 16. Try it, you'll love it. It makes you think and use your brain.

I've been lumbered into enjoying this!
It's a strange production- though I was aware it would be being already somewhat familiar with the show- Little Chap (Tony Tanner) and Evie/Anya/Ara/Genie (Millicent Martin) are both charming, talented, and really drive this production to make it memorable and well worth seeing.
I feel like the ensemble, and the two daughters, however, are rather bland and not very talented singers, which is a shame.

The songs are lovely, the message- a bit of a downer-, but this has songs you need to listen to, and is a very strong musical.
Yes, the production is strange, especially to those of you not used to theatre and whose only exposure to musicals is Chicago, Moulin Rouge and Disney Films... But go in with an open mind, and you'll find some beautiful, interesting, and funny songs that beckon to be listened to again and again.

Let me see. Where do I start. When you receive a VHS that you paid over AUS$20 for, and you received it and you find a $0.49 sticker on it from Goodwill, what would you think. This seller obviously is a total ripoff merchant and I will NEVER deal with them again. I blame myself totally (but caveat emptor)

I was disappointed with this release. I was looking for a 1996 version that starred Peter Scolari and Stephanie Zimbalist. Saw it on t.v. once and loved it, but, can't find a copy anywhere.