Camp

[desperance]

Oh, good grief. Am I the last person in the world to discover Camp? In case not, then be aware: it's a take on 'Fame' set in a summer camp (that's Camp Ovation, kids) that specialises in the performing arts. And the title is not in the least ironic, the whole film is as camp as a field full of pink tents (I was going to say a caravanserai full of camels, but that would be just too subtle), and it has absolutely everything you'd expect from the description above, and (with one exception) absolutely nothing that you wouldn't. It's got about as much edge as a deflating balloon. But! These kids sing Sondheim in the bus! And it's fabulous! and heartwarming! and, and, and! and (here comes the bit you didn't expect) - fanboy squee for the fanfare - it's got Stephen Sondheim actually in it, in person, his own self, right there, on the screen, getting out of a car and everything! And he speaks! And is condescending to the drunk Broadway has-been who is rediscovering his sense of purpose!

Oh, it's a joy. Now all I need is a decent print, because I taped it off the telly on a night when Mr Interference was in town and dancing.

Comments

[bookzombie.livejournal.com]

That's interesting. pennski reviewed the soundtrack album for a website and we weren't hugely impressed. Maybe it works better in context.

On your recommendation we will certainly give it a try.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

...Or maybe it just works for me, on that astonishingly superficial level that I can attain with absolutely no effort whatsoever. Kids doing song-and-dance just does it for me, every time (long-lost dreamstuff: I'd have been a song-and-dance man like a shot, if only I could sing or dance).

I don't think the original music is up to much, but! Sondheim! Teenagers doing Elaine Stritch doing 'Ladies Who Lunch'! *dies of happiness*

[martyn44.livejournal.com]

I'm presuming it is an American show, in which case we are deep, deep in the irony mine. I think I'd better ask M about it. It sounds so far up her street I'll probably find it coming back.

[martyn44.livejournal.com]

I've asked M. She has raised an eyebrow as only the young and superior can, and advised me that CAMP is the lovechild of WHITE HORSE INN, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and FAME (with just a touch of that summer camp from THE ADDAMS FAMILY) In other words, an entirely irony free zone.

I think I'm going to have to find a DVD of this.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

I don't know White Horse Inn - but if it lives in that company...

*departs, to investigate White Horse Inn*

[martyn44.livejournal.com]

White Horse Inn - Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and ? First appearance of White Christmas, lets do the show right here in the barn for the old CO. Hokey as hell, but Crosby doing White Christmas can't be all bad, can it?

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Umm - isn't that called "White Christmas"? S'what IMDb says, and my memory also...

[martyn44.livejournal.com]

There is indeed a White Christmas and der Bingle did croon the aforementioned title song. Unless my memory plays me false, however, it did first appear in White Horse Inn.

Of course, my memory may be playing me false and my internet connection is playing silly buggers, rendering a google out of the question.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Yo-ho-ho! I knew you were right, viz that the first appearance of White Christmas was not in a movie called White Christmas; I presumed you were right about the actual title, but neither Google nor IMDb would affirm it.

Try 'Holiday Inn'?

[martyn44.livejournal.com]

Arrghh! That's the problem when so many liddle grey cells have died. You think you remember, but you don't. Holiday Inn, White Horse Inn, a movie set in an inn in Vermont and its the whisky that does it.

Not that I soil my palate with blended muck like that. Talisker's best only, thank you very much. At least, it was when you could still buy 80 and 100, but I don't know which it is now and if I get that wrong I'll have Iain Banks getting all righteous on my neck.

[lcohen]

i squeed out loud when sondheim appeared--i was sitting alone in a room and felt like a goof, but i had to!

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Me too. Exactly that, all of that. I think I then explained it, to the cat...