Example of a Flop-turned-classic: “Newsies” headed for Broadway
As John Carter, currently near $260m in global revenue, continues to struggle to shed its “flop” stigma, one example of a “flop-turned-classic” is headed for Broadway. Following is from TheIthacan.org
The once box—office musical flop turned “DCOM” darling Newsies comes to Broadway starting March 15th! Newsies is based on the Newsboy Strike of 1899, and this production taps Ben Fankhauser, Jeremy Jordan, Andrew Keegan-Bolger, and Kara Lindsay as the revolutionary whistle—blowers.
The 1992 movie starred Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, Robert Duvall and Ann-Margret. Despite this great casting the movie flopped big time, raking in less than $3 million at the box-office in comparison to its $15 million pricetag. (In)Famous critic Leonard Martin even christened the film “Howard the Paperboy” referencing another major Disney flop of its time: Howard the Duck. Despite its first, frigid reception, the VHS release and subsequent Disney Channel replays in 2002 elevated the film to the world of the DCOM franchise(cause come on, who doesn’t love DCOMs?), and generated a decent cult following. On the surprising film fanbase, Bale stated “You say something bad about Newsies and you have an awful lot of people to answer to.” Methinks this buried film-flop turned cult classic angle sounds eerily similar…
All jokes aside, Newsies looks to be a very promising revamp of a previously snubbed outing. Check out Broadway.com’s On the Scene Meet and Greet with the starshere for some friendly banter! Newsies runs March 15th through June 10th.
9 comments
Here is the anthem of Helium complete:
The Colors of Helium
(Lyrics and music by Peter Weber)
1. Blue the color of flooding waves
Gently cover our ancestors’ graves
Grounds may dry, but our hearts stay true
The color of Helium is ocean blue
We hail the view as our banners fly
Twin towers notching the crimson sky
2. See mighty warships in battle line
Pennants flicker and metals shine
Progress and science for men so fair
Helium’s color’s as blue as the air
We salute our Jeddak, our banners fly
Twin towers notching the crimson sky
3. Canals span wide on the planet sphere
Bringing the gift of water so dear
Our skin may change, but our mission’s true
The color of Helium is always blue
We hail the view as our banners fly
Twin towers notching the crimson sky
4. See mighty warships in battle line
Pennants flicker and metals shine
The air is thin, but we hail the view
Helium’s color is blue so true
We salute our Jeddak, our banners fly
Twin towers notching the crimson sky
This has lots of war-like overtones:
Thark War Chant
Hear the drumming
Tharks are coming
Fear the horde of the warriors of Thark
Horns are blowing
Wrath is glowing
Fear the rage of the warriors of Thark
Swords are mowing
Blood is flowing
Fear the blades of the warriors of Thark
Thanks. I’ve made a few adjustments since yesterday and the music is ready too. It’s not as gorgeous as The Marseillaise or the Star Bangled Banner (I’d wish to be able), but reflecting more the order and pride of a civilized nation. Soon I’ll release the definite version consisting of four strophes.
Great! I remember Dejah Thoris singing a war song behind John Carter in Warlord of Mars to encourage him. Perhaps it was not very far from what you wrote! (well, I guess with more war-like overtones though) 🙂
I just did it! Took me half an hour:
The Colors of Helium
Blue the color of flooding waves
Cover gently our ancestors’ graves
Our skin may change, but our hearts stay true
The color of Helium is ocean blue
We salute the view as our banners fly
Twin Towers scraping the crimson sky
See mighty warships in battle line
Pennants flicker and metals shine
Progress and science for men so fair
Helium’s color is as blue as the air
We salute our Jeddak, our banners fly
Twin Towers scraping the crimson sky
Now I’ll have to come up with the music if I can.
Not so silly! Anybody able to write a Barsoomian symphony?
In Gods of Mars I want to listen at least to the Helium anthem.
Yes please. I want to hear Tars Tarkas singing.
Um.. Howard the Duck was universal and Lucasfilm, not Disney
Does this mean there’s still a chance for John Carter on Ice?