Sweet Charity - DVD

Special Features:

Extra languages - French, Italian, Spanish, and German; subtitles available for 15 languages, including English for the hearing-impaired

The DVD includes a short documentary, "From Stage to Screen," and an alternate happy ending that was never used.

"From the Stage to the Screen - A Director's Dilemma" is a nine minute film on how Bob Fosse directed "Sweet Charity." It was the first movie directed by Fosse and, in an interview, he explains how he transferred dance numbers from the stage to the screen and, in particular, how two numbers, "Big Spender" and "Rhythm of Life," differed from the stage versions. Fosse also discussed the problems and joys experienced by filming "Sweet Charity" in New York City.

The alternate happy ending is a funny, "Cinderella" ending to "Sweet Charity." It begins, like the original ending, with Shirley MacLaine singing "Where Am I Going" but, instead of Charity going it alone, she is happily reunited with Oscar. Although the alternate ending is cute and funny, the original ending is more realistic and fits better with the story line.

My Review:

The DVD of "Sweet Charity" is an excellent digital enhancement, with clear, sharp video and natural colors. The sound is clear but it could have greater volume, especially for the dialogue scenes.

The movie begins with scenes that are stopped with still photos in yellow and red colors. The technique, which is also used in other sections of the film, is annoying, especially when it stops the action and interferes with the movie's story line.

The movie of "Sweet Charity" has several numbers that didn't transfer well from the stage to the screen. Three numbers in particular seem unnecessary and actually interfere with the plot. Two, "Rhythm of Life" and "I'm a Brass Band," are big production numbers that don't work well in the movie medium. A third one, the "Rich Man's Frug," a dance number in a night club, is dated, with typical 1960s "fad" dancing.

Some of the other numbers in "Sweet Charity" are very enjoyable and some of the scenes are extremely funny. My personal favorites are the scenes with Ricardo Montalban and the elevator scene with John McMartin.