@@jdpatrick1106 I just finished Julie Andrews's most recent memoir *Home Work* , and in it, she states that Preston did it in one, and her husband, director Blake Edwards, figured that they could never make it funnier than that take was. Edwards liked to film the cabaret scenes start to finish each time, to maintain the freshness of live performance. You can account for the close-ups by figuring that Edwards and the DP worked out the shot order -- Open with a square-on close-up on Cam 1 (pulling digits out of the air here), switch to Cam 2 for a long shot; go to Cam 3 for a long shot; back to Cam 2 for a close-up, etc. etc. It can be done -- you just have to know what you want to see, and organize it step-by-step. According to Andrews, Edwards was a whiz at approaching a project with the whole thing, minute by minute, planned out before he started shooting.
@@jdpatrick1106 It was indeed done in one take - Julie Andrews mentions it in her autobiography. Edwards used multiple cameras, as he did often. Funny fact - Broadway and stage performers also screw up from time to time and have a helluva lot more rehearsal time than actors do in pictures.
This is one of the BEST and FUNNIEST parts of ANY movie! 🤣🤣 Robert Preston did it PERFECTLY. And Blake Edwards had such a good intuitive “eye” for what would work. “BRAVO” as Alex Karras cheered! This cast in Victor/Victoria was spot on! Hooray for Julie Andrews on her AFI Award 🥇
You can tell it is a one take by the dancers cracking up. Particularly the blonde to Prestons right. The authenticity of this performance could not have been scripted and the performers reactions could not have been scripted. Robert Preston was the first leading man I remember seeing in a real movie theatre ( The Music Man) and he holds a spot in my heart for that
First time I saw this movie I was in stitches the whole time and the ending left me breathless with my sides hurting. Robert Preston is one of my favorite actors.The last movie I saw him in was the "Last Star-fighter". He was great in that as well.
Robert Preston's comic performance is timeless. One of the few hilarious musical performance scenes in history. He deserved Best Supporting Comic Performance.
Robert Preston was nominated for the Oscar for a supporting role in Victor Victoria but he didn't win. It's a shame!! He was absolutely amazing and so funny in every scene. He should have won because he was the best!
I've seen this movie a half dozen times and this scene still makes me laugh like it's the first time. It takes a special talent to make the audience laugh at you but be on your side.
I was a teen when this movie came out. I loved it so much that I saw it 3 times in 2 weeks at the theater down the street. Not a rattle or squeak in the script, music, casting or choreography.. Just perfection!
This is even funnier if you know that for this scene, the hired some of the best drag queens to do the number with Robert Preston. If you look a their faces you can see that some are bare able to keep from laughing throughout and when they drop him and he says "you, bitches!" was that planned? Either way he was such a master at his craft that Robert Preston could make anything shine!
There is probably no greater compliment for an actor than to say it looks entirely natural and unrehearsed. That's Preston all over, in this and Music Man. Watch toward the end, after the song's over and he's laughing at himself and with the audience. I remember when I first saw this in the theater; I thought surely the ending was unplanned or to some extent improvised. That's the magnitude of Preston's talent. It's a joy to watch over and over. Thank You Mr. Preston.
artistphx--- Several of the men that are lined up- especially the one in the middle of the final line up is hysterical. I've heard two versions as to the being dropped and "You Bitches" Ive heard that it was improvise and was part of script...regardless it was a scream. Blake Edwards sets, it has been said, were lots of fun and laughter. He also had a wicked sense of fun. Blake, you are so missed...NOT just by Jules, Geoffrey, Jennifer and Emma- but by so many who loved the work youve done and joy you've given
Fun Fact: This is the exact same costume that Julie Andrews wore earlier in the film, but it was actually designed to fit Robert Preston. They used a corset kind of thing to pull it in tight to fit Julie Andrews' more shapely figure, and added black ruffles to hide the difference in height
Years ago, when IMDB had an interactive forum someone there commented about this costume. They had acquired it from the costume department. They said they could see all the alterations and "fixes that made it fit both Julie Andrews and Robert Preston. Including tears when it was stepped on or tugged during Preston's hilarious performance.
Have you seen All The Way Home? He’s so dang good in it. I really took notice of his acting talent from that movie even though I saw V/V in the theaters.
That was simply one of the best made movies ever!! The cast, the story, and all...don't think it could ever be remade!! Like the movies they remake now...and so glad!!! ❤❤❤❤
I fell in love with the late Robert Preston while watching The Music Man. He was the consummate performer both in movies and on Broadway. He could play any role and the world lost a wonderful actor when he died 28 years ago at the age of 68. Next Monday(June 8th) Preston would have been 97 years old.
Beth McKamy "Any role" indeed! Have you seen him in "Mame"? I had NO IDEA he was co-star to Lucille Ball in that movie when I got it. So just imagine my surprise when he appeared on scene...! Huge wonderful surprise!! BTW, I fell in love with him when I was... 17 or so... watching Victor Victoria. =) ...... Greetings from Mexico.
I have to admit he was the only reason I watched Victor/Victoria. I was sort of a late bloomer as far as being a fan of Preston. I had not seen The Music Man until after Victor/Victoria came out. Once I saw him in Music Man I definitely had to watch Victor/Victoria, which was a wonderful movie and great work by Preston, Andrews & Garner as well as others.I have not seen him in Mame but I will.
I can recommend another movie for you to watch him in. It's called "The Last Starfighter". It's a sc-fi movie from the 80's but its really good. It's pretty child friendly as well. There are some things that might scare kids but that didn't stop us 80's kids from watching it now did it?
Beth McKamy I watched & am still watching bcoz of the brilliant cast Julie Andrews, James Garner & Preston! Love the chemistry between Julie & Preston & James Garner & Julie! Great singing & dancing& the storyline I so love!
@@bethdeesb Mame is hard to watch, literally. The camera on Ball is so soft focus you almost can't see anything. Preston is wonderful in the role, but the entire picture suffers from pandering to Ball's ego.
I just laughed out loud 7 times (and chuckled more than that) watching this. From the opening scene lalalalalalalalalaaaaaalalalalalalalalahahaaahoooooooooooooh, to the end "you bitches". I love the people, I love the writing, I love the music.
Thnx for uploading. For those who have not seen the movie I highly recommend it! Never a dull moment with Julie, James, Robert & Lesly Ann Brilliant cast with my top all time fave Julie! !
I adore this movie - and I adore Robert Preston! He was WONDERFUL in The Music Man and later The Last Staright which we The Retro Cinema Podcast have podcasted! Victor Victoria is so on our list to podcast!
So many great numbers like this were missing from the stage version with Julie Andrews, of 1995. The script and songs they performed on Broadway weren't a patch on the movie! But the biggest omission was the late, great Robert Preston. He wouldn't have starred in it even if he'd been alive - the stage revival was offered to him but he declined, saying he didn't want to work with director Blake Edwards again (Julie Andrews' husband). From what he said, Edwards' ego was out of control! Thanks for the upload, it's a great movie and Robert Preston stole so many scenes - he was wonderful!
I remember Preston talking about this in some interview a few years before he died. He said he didn't think the show would be a hit and didn't want to do it. He also said or implied that Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews were both angry at him for declining to appear in the show. The show didn't materialize until 7 or 8 years after he died.
Hi @Cherry Special! This version is perfect - as you wisely included the hilarious laughter of Bob Preston at the end, as well as the audience’s laughing and cheering. Thank You SO MUCH for sharing this, one of the GREAT cinematic scenes.
Watching this makes me teary-eyed. I remember the first time I saw this film in the 90s on a cable. I was very young and fell in love with the songs, story and the actors.
One of my FAV movies! ❤ Robert Preston the BEST! 🤣 Have the DVD, & have lost track of how many times I've watched! "Oh you Bitches"! 🤣 Still gets me everytime! RIP Robert! You ARE sorely missed! 😢 For another great Robert hit, check out "The Music Man" w/Shirley Jones & a wee lad named Ronny Howard! 😂 Never a boring moment! But here, @ his very best! ❤❤❤✌️🤘
Brings back memories of when I first saw this movie in the theater. Great scene! Per Julie Andrews’s new book, this scene was indeed shot in one take. That’s why it’s kind of a mess, but so funny. Thought: talking about Hello Dolly with a former girlfriend, I said Walter Matthau was miscast. But who could’ve played that part? She said, Robert Preston. That would’ve been great!
The best scene. Trivia, this was all improv so Julie’s reactions were all real. Her hubby knew this was happening but didn’t tell her. One of my all time fave films
The shady dame from Seville (Vers 1h59) Singer: Robert Preston Traduction française: Il y avait une femme bizarre de Séville qui errait dans la ville Et les hommes, s’ils l’osaient Immobiles regardaient La dame qu’ils croisaient Et sa beauté les fascinait Et personne n’en doutait, car tous criaient olé ! Séville n’a pas tant d’attraits Mais quand la dame sortait Le traffic s'arrêtait Bon Dieu, vous avez réussi ! Habillée comme une vamp ou comme une prostituée Où suis-je? Oh, vache! Le reste de l'histoire n'est pas plaisant Un conte ne finit pas toujours bien Seules une queue et deux oreilles Restèrent sur la fenêtre au réveil Et jamais on ne sut ce qu'est devenue La dame mystérieusement disparue Un triomphe ! C’est fini ? The shady dame… Vilaines! From Seville!
Creo que Robert Preston se merecia el Oscar pues Víctor o Victoria el verdadero protagonista fue el muchos besos al Cielo querido compañero desde España.
Ya lo creo. Aunque ya ves que los Oscares se los dan principalmente a papeles como muy dramáticos ¿no? Injustamente, porque hay excelentes papeles en la comedia también. Fuerte abrazo, desde México. 💖
