When Blanche Met Brando: The Scandalous Story of "A Streetcard Named Desire"
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Book Overview
Exhaustively researched and almost flirtatiously opinionated, W"hen Blanche Met Brando" is everything a fan needs to know about the ground-breaking New York and London stage productions of Williams' "Streetcar" as well as the classic Brando/Leigh film. Sam Staggs' interviews with all the living cast members of each production will enhance what's known about the play and movie, and help make this book satisfying as both a pop culture read and as a deeper piece of thinking about a well-known story. Readers will come away from this book delighted with the juicy behind-the-scenes stories about cast, director, playwright and the various productions and will also renew their curiosity about the connection between the role of Blanche and Viven Leigh's insatiable sexual appetite and later descent into breakdown. They may also-for the first time-question whether the character of Blanche was actually "mad" or whether her anxiousness was symptomatic of another disorder."A Streetcar Named Desire" is one of the most haunting and most-studied modern plays. Staggs' new book will fascinate fans and richen newcomers' understanding of its importance in American theater and movie history.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0312321643
ISBN13:9780312321642
Release Date:June 2005
Publisher:St. Martin's Press
Length:394 Pages
Weight:1.39 lbs.
Dimensions:1.4" x 5.9" x 8.6"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Still think about it sometimes
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
Having been in love with Tennessee Williams works, particularly a Streetcar Named Desire, this book was a thrill to read. A man who has obviously done his research covers every nuance of the play and film. I am now proud to know how everything was produced, the stories behind everyone from the costumer to the producer to actors, and continue to recognize them in other films. He gives you a view of many many different Blanches and productions, as well as a through view of the most famous ones. And unlike the Tennessee Williams bio. by Donald Spoto, it rejoices the play rather than tries to find the negative. It is everything you wanted to know about the play and more. And all in all the author clearly demonstrates a love for the play, and all it's beautiful details.
What about the other Stanleys?
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I enjoyed Sam Staggs' book about "Streetcar!" However, I didn't find it as thorough as his other books about "All About Eve" and "Sunset Boulevard." There were plenty of details about the Brando-Tandy & Brando-Leigh versions of "Streetcar," but hardly a mention of the Ralph Meeker and Anthony Quinn/Uta Hagen productions of "Streetcar...!" There was one humourous mention of Judith Evelyn as Blanche, but I would have been more interested in hearing about these two versions rather than all the other operatic and various foreign productions of "Streetcar"!
a good ride
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
i enjoy sam staggs retelling of history. it is so obvious that he loves the films he researches. and it's just as obvious that he's a gay as a bunch of purple tulips! i read through this book a good three times because the amount of research and interaction with the information is so dense that you just don't catch all of it the first time. which film is next in his lexicon--'the women'--of course!
Got Me Through a Hard Time
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
For the 'Streetcar' fan this is a big 5 Ib box of chocolates. Even if you just enjoy juicy non-fiction and books about film - do what I did. I read a few lines and was totally absorbed in it but forced myself to put it aside for a long dreaded 'medical procedure type day'. Sure the author's opinionated but they're interesting opinions. The biggest question is just how good Jessica Tandy was on stage - he gives many different views and reachs his own tentative opinion. Its a fun read but not at all negligible film and stage criticism either. The book made the hours go - I simply couldn't put it down! Staggs' other books on All About Eve and Sunset Boulevard are equally
This book delivers magic!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
This is a fantastic book; I devoured it in one sitting. It details everything you'd ever want to know about Tennessee Williams' famous play, and the resulting movie, as well as subsequent appearances on stage and TV. The intriguing anecdotes regarding Brando, Vivien Leigh, Kazan, and others connected with "Streetcar" will keep you engrossed for hours. I've read Mr. Staggs' previous books, and enjoyed them very much. I must say, though, that he really outdoes himself with When Blanche Met Brando. He delivers the definitive word on "Streetcar" in all its incarnations. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Broadway and Hollywood history!
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