Jazz Hands! (Or: The power of Fosse)

This past Tuesday night, while New York City was being hit with a rainstorm of near-biblical proportions, Filmbrain was (while soaked to the bone) at the video store returning a DVD that was disturbingly late. While waiting on line, he noticed that they were watching Bob Fosse's All That Jazz on their new huge 16x9 monitor. After paying his late fees (about twice the cost of the DVD), he found himself glued to the film, as were two other people. Over the next forty minutes, the crowd swelled to about twenty-five. We all stood there, silently watching the last third of the film (with its amazing musical numbers) until that final shot of the body bag being zipped and the Ethel Merman begins. Was it the rain? Was everybody simply looking for a bit of shelter, or was it the infectious nature of the film? Filmbrain hadn't seen it since the early nineties and had completely forgotten how great it is. (Is it passé to admit loving this film in 2004?) Though technically not a musical, there is so much more life to it than Rob Marshall's Chicago. (Oh, if only Fosse could have directed that!) Who can forget Jessica Lange as the angel of death, Ben Vereen as O'Connor Flood, John Lithgow as the Harold Prince-ish Lucas Sergeant, and of course Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon. (Does anybody know what became of Erzsebet Foldi, who played the daughter?) Bye bye life. . .

Comments

[A. Anna Stielow]

Oh, I am so glad that I have found this site. Actually, I was looking for more information about the talented Erzebet Foldi. She was a wonderful and incredibly talented performer in this film at such a young age. In fact, this entire film was perfectly outstanding. I remember when this film first made its debut when I was only 11 and was not allowed to watch it. What happened was that it was aired on cable and I was only able to catch a part of this film. Lucked out and found it again and every since have recorded it and watch it every morning when I awaken with my bowl of Frosted Flakes in the morning darkness of my bedroom.

I am now 38 years old and disabled and played a minor part of show business locally (in Chicago)over a decade ago, and now I am permanently disabled and I so relate to this film and the beautiful message of creativity, devotion, obsession with the arts, and the sincere message of dying. What I truly loved about this movie is the fact that I appreciated this story so much more than I ever could have before.

This film is timeless in its message and in its performances. I will never become tired of watching this movie and I think that Roy is incredibly excellent and powerful in bringing out the truth of the shallowness and the beauty of talent in humanity and the entire cast achieved this element.

In the 1970s and 1980s, there was authentic talent (no pretensions or the over use of editing to cover the poor performances of today's so-called limited talent). The writing in those days was top notch, textured and concentrated with thoughtful story telling (and this needs to make a return very soon!)

As a result, I truly believe that when I complete my own screenplay, some of you will be happy to watch the return of such writing from that era, because, it was the writing and the inspiration, which led me to polish my craft, and I continue to do so. I will only hope that my film will be acceptable at the right time (with the right cast and synchronicity of united relation to understand my message) and that very much hope that I am still alive whenever it is made.

I really do not know how much time that I have to live, but, "All That Jazz" has made me to remember to live to the fullest (as Bob Fosse) while I am still remaining here on earth. This film is the best of its kind and this is the very reason why I truly L-O-V-E show business and that the art is deep within my blood and every being. It is the wonderful writing, direction, acting, the magickal detailing of a masterful production and the hard work involved which is what keeps me hanging on another day to live. I so very much hope that I will contribute to this industry in this way as well.

I was truly saddened to learn that so long ago, Bob Fosse, ironically, died of the very illness in which he directed in this film over a decade later. Truth is ALWAYS stranger than fiction and that is the next guarantee to death and taxes.

According to the IMDB board, Fosse died of a heart attack in 1987. Erzebet Foldi became a born again Christian and never appeared in another film since "All That Jazz". I loved the child stars of that period; including Quinn Cummings, Jodie Foster, Tatum O'Neal and all of the rest during those decades. While these younger actors starred in roles depicting precocious (40 years old soulful)characters, they were never pretentious, obnoxious, boastful, or talentless as the child/young stars of today (who are only good looking and BORING to watch). The current " eye-candy stars" (with exceptions to the incredible richness of acting found in Regina King, Scarlett Johansson and Christina Ricci)and many of the other are completely absent in the utilization of talent and application of art.

Films of THIS current generation are sickingly silly, retarded, unoriginal, even boldly plagiarized and over abundantly disappointing. The films today are noisy, lack depth, and are designed for attention deficit disordered audiences.

In Addition, actors and artists of color were depicted with more dignity, fairness, and the equality of respect concerning casting, much more than they are today. It seems that African-Americans during that era showed more self-respect in the films made 20-30 years ago than the films of today. I am seriously irked that there are very few who understand the quality of self-esteem in selecting roles that affect ALL audiences today. In the earlier days, African-American actors and all those of varying backgrounds have inspired me to be my very best AND to focus on achieving my very best and, to never, ever simply settle for the sake of money. I mean that.

I Love "ALL THAT JAZZ" (see how this film brings out in me such wordy commentary) because it brings out the best in me artistically ,and obviously, in so many others on this board. I love to read positive and insightful messages of great films which I so treasure as much. Thank you all for making this blog worth the read. Everyone on this blog had something so intelligent and worthwhile to contribute and I love people like that. It makes reading commentaries educational and fun to learn what others think and what they see. I love that!!

Lastly, in response to the earlier posting, I have also researched the "behind the scenes" info about the original casting of Joe Gideon's role and the debate whether Roy or Richard Dreyfuss should star as the lead role.

What is even more interesting about this coincidence is that they starred in the monsterous blockbuster of all time, "Jaws" and in that film, each brought outstanding performances in their own ability very early in their career.

As I watched "All That Jazz" (again for the 19th time this morning and every morning) I imagined Richard playing this role and I believe that he could have pulled it off fairly well (I agree with the original commenter, however, not as effectively as Roy does).

I was able to imagine (Dreyfuss's) physical agility, the interaction with his daughter, Michelle, the frustrations of the business, the tone of his voice in the dialogue, and believe it our not, I could see him dancing and going through the stages of death as well as Roy. He may have reasonably pulled this off.

However, the BETTER choice will always be Roy in his ability to reveal the range of emotion within his eyes, his facial features, his handsomeness, his magnetic appearance, and his physically fit stature. Roy was PERFECT as Gideon at that time and the outcome would have been completely different of it were not for Roy.

God, this is a one of the very few in my 100 top fantastic movies. Super triple A plus across the board.

Question: Does any one have any idea why so many of the cast in this film decided NOT to do anything more after this film, really, (w/the exception of Schneider?). It seems that even Leland Palmer dropped out of the business as well after starring in this film. There were so many talented actors in this film. I wonder what Hollywood will do to people to cause some to chase the best of them so far away?

I have also noticed this growing phenomenon quite a bit in Hollywood and more so that many of them end of with illnesses relating to cancer or heart attacks as if the business of entertainment is a hazard to the mental and physical health. What is happening to the better actors? Any clues?

(I have already cancelled out that tired and over-rated use of reasoning of the "smoking and booze" answer. So many of these stars (including my favorite, Pacino)abuse these substances and even more perilous drugs and live to be 90- something (I am not encouraging such as I do not)...I have witnessed this over and over again...

Much of the abuse of any substance scientifically has to do with genetics and the fact in whether a particular inheritance of intolerant DNA structure is able to sustain such substances (even one) to begin with. One cell in the human body (given that individual's particular genetic set, can agrravate certain cellular structures (including the secretion of serotonin and stress-related bio-chemical secretors)towards an early death (as the case with my dearest,oldest accomplished writer friend. She died abruptly in May 2006 of a massive heart attack with out warning of any kind due to exhaustion alone). Just a fact about celebrities and toxicology.

Besides, in the Film "All That Jazz", as Gideon says;(after watching O'connor Flood's show) “I hate show business.", Kate says, " Joe you LOVE show business." Gideon says, "You're right, but I will take it either way."

I share the same sentiment.

Thank you Film Brain!!! I love this blog!!

[joe]

Erzsebet Foldi is now a Born Again Christian. She may go to Times Square Church in NYC, but I'm not sure. Here's some info.....

http://www.bettinasneighbors.org/lizfoldi.html

[Jean]

What a great thread, dating back to 2004.

Thanks Joe. I just rewatched ATJ this morning on cable and I had to surf the web to see what happened to the talented and beautiful Miss Foldi.

I'm happy she is happy but I regret the loss of what should have been a stellar career. If only Hollywood knew what to do with gifted people.

[David I]

"The only downside for me is a personal one, one that I am sure is not shared by others: I just don't like Ann Reinking. Never have. Never will."

Boy, you're right your opinion isn't shared by others. Fosse's top dancer; although she went on to have a modest career as an actress, she was in the movie because she can dance Fosse like no one else. (Check out the triple-jointed pelvis twitches in her durt with Erzebet Foldi.) Anyone who has ever seen Ann Reinking on stage thinks she was one of the great jazz dancers of all time. And so did Fosse, who knew a thing or two about the subject.

[Noel Vera]

Wow, this blog's been around for three years? I'm impressed.

Loved All That Jazz; love it more than its contemporary, Apocalypse Now. Had a little argument on a_film_by with one Blake Lucas about the film's editing (I said it preserved spatial relationships; he thought it was part and parcel with today's MTV editing). I guess he was never a Fosse fan, or at least a fan of Fosse the filmmaker. Ah, well.

I do love Fosse's films--I thought he cut like no one else. Still does, I think. That sequence of "On Broadway" was a showstopper, and the movie only went up from there.

[Paul W. Doster]

I am seventy-three years old, so I've seen quite a few movies. "All That Jazz" is my favorite movie ever, because of the music and the dancing.

[Nancy C.]

Wow! It is now Jan. '08 and I thought I was the only person wanting to know what happened to the EXTREMELY TALENTED Erzsebet Foldi! I just finished watching "All That Jazz" (for the tenth time, I think!)and I ran to the computer to "Google" her! I agree with the Oct. '07 posting by "Jean"; I, too, am happy for Ms. Foldi, but I would've liked to see her in more productions. Oh well...
I hope you are very happy Ms.Foldi, that's the only thing that matters! God Bless!

[loganski]

Isn't it strange that I would end up here -- because of Roy Scheider's passing. Just loved all the comments. This movie is still one of my all time favourites. When I first bought it, it was in Beta format! and I've not updated but you've inspired me to go and buy it on DVD. Thank you all.

[Adam K]

Saddened by Roy Scheider's death, I watched bits of this last night. I missed "All That Jazz" when it first came out, after hearing how indulgent it was, but when I finally watched it, about 15 - 20 years later, I was stunned. Absolutely loved it. When I lent someone my DVD and they never gave it back, I bought myself another copy. I read, above, that some people had nothing good to say about Roy Scheider. I'd never heard that - the only thing I'd heard was an excerpt from a William Goldman book about the making of "Marathon Man" in which Hoffman was giving the writer and director grief about a minor bit of motivation and holding up the shooting of the scene. Goldman wrote something like, "Meanwhile, Roy Scheider, ever the gentleman, stood politely by". It always grieved me that he never did anything this great again. The last thing I saw him in was some godawful action thriller in which he played the US president. A waste of a tremendous talent, after "All that Jazz"

[usarmycwo]

Am I drifting into dementia, or did the original film have a different stage set for Ben Vereen?

For some reason, I remember his song "Bye Bye Love" (or "Life") as one of the many highlights of the film. But in my mind his time on the screen is longer, and he's standing on a blindingly white circular platform.

Saw the DVD last night, again marveling at how good this film was. But can't get it out of my mind that it's been re-edited.

Yes?

[james]

I knew Erzsebet in the late 70's - early 80's. What a gal!! She was genuine, beautiful and uniquely talented. I have searched for her for years and to no avail. I want to know what become of "Liz". Anyone know, please let me know.

[sidney]

Love Ann Reinking, anyone know what happened to her?

[MIKE]

COME BACK TO SHOW BUSINESS ERZSEBET I MISS YOU,I WANT TO SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL AGAIN.YOUR SO TALENTED,SUCH AN ATTRACTIVE GIRL.BEAUTIFUL DANCER,YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES,ITS NOT TO LATE,PLEASE CONSIDER IT AGAIN.STAR IN ANOTHER MOVIE,PLEASE PLEASE,YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES,AND YOUR NOT TO OLD.

[Marg]

Nicole Fosse (the daughter of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon) had a part in the movie A Chorus Line. She played Kristine Evelyn Erlich-DeLuca. Bob Fosse did NOT direct A Chorus Line (the movie); Richard Attenborough did.

[mike]

Erzsebet are you out there you beautiful,classy girl you.

[mike]

I often wonder what ever happened to Erzsebet,why did she drop out of show business,she had it all.

[Michael]

I remember my writing partner and I went to see ALL THAT JAZZ. Being writers, we always spoke lines back at the characters, and generally had a great time at the expense of whatever movie was showing. Well, about 20 minutes, we both realized we hadn't said a thing, but just were completely enthralled by this film. It is still that way for me today. Wonderful! And I so love Leland Palmer!!!

[Mike]

Happy 30th anniverary, All THAT JAZZ, wishing all those involved in this terrific film the very best wishes.

[Trixie]

Saw Erzsebet Foldi is on Facebook as Liz Foldi . . . at least I think it's her.

[Kenn Draymon]

I took my mother to see ATJ at the local theatre a few years before she died. She had no idea what to expect, and had recently read Kubler-Ross' 'On Death and Dying'; she loved the movie.
I show it to my kids as an example of self-awareness on the part of Bob Fosse: he understood himself, warts and all, and even understood how entertaining a telling of his life, even in cross-section, would be. Of course, the merely entertaining aspects of the movie elevate it to my top 10 with Kubrick, Lean, and (!) DePalma.