Mack & Mabel

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0008811908928 Format: Soundtrack Label: Universal / Island Manufacturer: Universal / Island Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Universal / Island Release Date: 1999-03-20 Running Time: 45 Studio: Universal / Island
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Editorial Reviews: The delightful pairing of Robert Preston and Bernadette Peters headlines the 1974 cast of Mack and Mabel. Despite a distinguished pedigree of composer-lyricist Jerry Herman, director Gower Champion, and producer David Merrick, the show ran only 66 performances on Broadway due to an unwieldy and tragic plot about the doomed romance of silent-movie maven Mack Sennett, creator of the Keystone Kops (Preston), and star Mabel Normand (Peters)--which won't prevent you from enjoying this CD. Herman's score evokes the old silents (the banjo is particularly welcome), and the songs include "When Mabel Comes in the Room" (a welcoming song that is a direct descendant of Herman's "Hello Dolly"), the sprightly "Tap Your Troubles Away," Peters's defiant "Wherever He Ain't," and "Time Heals Everything," a gorgeous ballad that Peters subsequently made into a staple of her solo performances. Both Preston and Peters were nominated for Tony Awards, as was the show. The CD includes extensive production notes and a synopsis, but no lyrics. --David Horiuchi
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: UNDERRATED Comment: This is one of the most under rated musicals of all, sure there are some songs that i would remove..But i think thats true of most musical these days. People didnt like it cause it didnt have a happy ending, EVEN BETTER! I wont send roses is a classic but there are others in the album like BIG TIME..and Tap Your Troubles Away, that you dont hear enough off, this should be performed more. BRAVO BRAVO Customer Rating: Summary: GREAT SCHMALTZ WITH PRESTON AND PETERS Comment: So what Mack & Mabel the show was a flop - the music lives on. David Jacobs has always played it on BBC Radio 2, Torville & Dean skated perfect sixes to it on ice and Bernadette Peters continues to sing the haunting 'TIME HEALS EVERYTHING' in her concerts and makes everyone cry. Ok, a strange mix of song styles (comic Keystone Cops song "every time a cop falls down my spirits soar" and my favourite pick-me-up remedy, 'Tap Your Troubles Away' combines with big show tune numbers, but it works, and of course it is always a pleasure to hear Robert Preston sing. This is the tragic love story of Mack Sennett, director of silent films starring, amongst others, the Keystone Cops, and Mabel Normand, the most famous and celebrated silent movie actress of the time whom he discovered when she delivered a sandwich to the set of a film he was making. Why the show was never a success is a mystery - may be it was just too sad. I won't spoil the plot, but let me just say that I am unable to play the final track without plunging into tear-stained depression. Lovers of big West End and Broadway musicals will get a kick out of this CD, but read up on the story to get the full emotional hit. Customer Rating: Summary: Err... goodish Comment: Sublime pairing of Bernadette Peters and Robert Preston is about as good as it gets. And some of the songs are wonderful - obviously I Won't Send Roses is a classic. But there's a lot of dullish fluffy rubbish on here too. More Reviews