Gypsy -- The 1993 Television Soundtrack Recording

James Troutman

Date: 2003/11/29
Last revised: 2003/11/11

When this film was first broadcast on television, my expectations had been so built up to see Bette Midler in a role that should have been perfect for her that I was initially a bit disappointed. It seemed that the production was doing all the right things, but it just wasn't engaging me. Happily, a recent viewing of the movie has convinced me that my inital impression was wrong. This is an excellent production and Bette Midler's Rose is right up there with the best of them. Don't let anyone tell you anything different.

It's a pity that the DVD is currently out of print, although it does occasionally show up on Ebay, for a premium price.

Notes on individual numbers

• 1 Overture 4:56
  In the film the Overture is badly mangled as it was in the 1962 movie. Happily the CD contains the complete version of the Overture, just as Jule Styne intended it to be heard.
• 2 May We Entertain You 0:52
  
• 3 Some People 3:16
  
• 4 Small World 3:23
  
• 5 Baby June And Her Newsboys 2:08
  
• 6 Mr. Goldstone 2:27
  
• 7 Little Lamb 2:20
  
• 8 You'll Never Get Away From Me 2:57
  
• 9 Dainty June And Her Farmboys 4:36
  Although this is not a complete version of this extended number, it does include the complete orchestral dance music to the "Broadway" section, one of only two recordings to do so (the other is the 2003 Broadway recording).
• 10 If Momma Was Married 2:56
  
• 11 All I Need Is The Girl 4:58
  
• 12 Everything's Coming Up Roses 2:50
  
• 13 Together, Wherever We Go 2:58
  
• 14 You Gotta Get A Gimmick 4:07
  
• 15 Let Me Entertain You 2:33
  
• 16 Rose's Turn 4:05
  
• 17 End Credits 3:10
  This is the only recording of this piece. It is neither the Entr'acte nor the Exit Music that appear in the Vocal Score. It appears to be an original arrangement for the film's closing credits.

Gypsy -- The 1993 Television Soundtrack Recording

A Comparison of Gypsy Recordings

Related Gypsy Products

• 
  Remastered Original 1959 Broadway Cast CD with Ethel Merman (includes four Bonus Tracks)
• 
  Original 1973 London Cast CD with Angela Lansbury
• 
  1989 Broadway Cast CD with Tyne Daly
• 
  1993 Television Movie Soundtrack CD with Bette Midler
• 
  2003 Broadway Cast CD with Bernadette Peters
•   
  1962 Motion Picture DVD with Rosalind Russell (singing voice dubbed by Lisa Kirk)
  1962 Motion Picture Soundtrack CD with extra bonus tracks of Rosalind Russel singing
• 
  Gypsy Vocal Score
• 
  Gypsy: A Musical -- The complete libretto (or book) of the musical
  It's worth reading the Arthur Laurents libretto for Gypsy if only to savor his witty stage directions. E.g., at the end of the opening scene:
  

  ([Rose] is singing along with her girls when she sees the Balloon Girl, who has edged out from the wings. Still singing gaily, Rose removes her hatpin. The Balloon Girl backs into the wings as Rose marches after her, the hatpin extended like Joan of Arc's sword. Her dancing daughters watch, grin, and finish to a blare of music.)

• 
  Gypsy: A Memoir by Gypsy Rose Lee
  The musical is loosely based upon Gypsy's own memoirs.
• 
  The Making of Gypsy by Keith Garebian
  
• 
  Original Story by: A Memoir of Broadway and Hollywood by Arthur Laurents
  Often gossipy, always engaging, this memoir contains loads of information not only about Gypsy but about all the other projects and people with whom Laurents has been involved.