Cinema Society

CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE

Average
Rating

3.3

Tuesday, March 06, 2012, Reading Cinemas Town Square 14 Theatre

TUESDAY, MARCH 6

On Screen: 4:30pm or 7:30pm (You Pick!)

Reading Cinemas Town Square 14 Theatre

Cinema Chat (Aud. 14) begins 30 minutes prior to screenings

Introduction begin 15 minutes prior to screenings (Aud. 14 & 8)

Discussion follows screenings (Aud. 14)

CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE

“If Carol Channing didn’t exist, no one could have made her up.” So states some sage’s description of the octogenarian dynamo, and if further proof of her singularity were needed, this engrossing documentary exploring the lady, her legendary career and her current life lays out the case quite convincingly.

A celebration of Channing’s seven decades in show business, the film captures the trials and triumphs of her meteoric rise and long reign as the Queen of Broadway, utilizing clips from her hit shows, endlessly entertaining TV interviews she gave over the course of her career and interviews with a flock of fans and colleagues (including Bruce Villanche, Phyllis Diller and Rich Little, among others), paying due attention to her two megahit musicals, Hello Dolly and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Perhaps most movingly, it explores the special bond she shared with her late husband and childhood sweetheart, Harry Kulligian, a love story as moving as any Broadway show. What emerges from this fascination biodoc is a performer whose life pairs perfectly with her stage persona: truly a larger-than-life character with a heart as big as her talent.

Running Time: 88 Minutes

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9-Mar-12: Dede - Rating: 5

My parents took me to see Hello Dolly for my 16th birthday. I am now 50. Mom is 79. Just by the simple fact that I was able to watch this show sitting next to my Mom 34 years later, I must give the show a 5 rating!

Thank you Cinema Society for this special evening.

9-Mar-12: Mroe - Rating: 3

Loved the “love story” and could have seen an entire movie just on that subject. Though the quality of camera work and editing weren’t that great I enjoyed getting to know Carol Channing and appreciating her true and pure love of performing on stage for the people, nothing like the “stars” or “celebrities” of today. Carol Channing is a national treasure.

8-Mar-12: Georgi - Rating: 3

Certainly a lot of comments on this film! I didn't know what to expect but thoroughly enjoyed getting to know a bit about this Larger Than Life woman.

7-Mar-12: jh - Rating: 4

I fell in love with Carol Channing last night. If only I were a foot taller and 25 years older. I fell in love with the documentary also. Fast-paced and entertaining (just like Carol), the film informed us of Ms. Channing’s curriculum vitae against the backdrop of Broadway at its best. I thought the testimonials reinforced the theme of the film that there is no one like her.

7-Mar-12: Jim - Rating: 2

Nice tribute to Carol Channing. I thought she was younger and didn't think it's been that long since she was headlining Dolly. I liked that she thought she appreciated others efforts but that she thought she did it best. Definitely a favorite comedienne of the 60s.

7-Mar-12: rh - Rating: 3

Ooops! Clicked send too fast. Note error:

...much more than I expected too.

Should read ...much more than I expected to.

7-Mar-12: rh - Rating: 3

Not a lover of musicals -- film or theater -- but enjoyed this much more than I expected too.

She is an icon, after all.

I can understand that the surprise performer was not to everyone's taste and the sound was too loud, but the fact that Cinema Society members would walk out in the middle of a performance was an absolute embarrassment.

7-Mar-12: SiouxMac - Rating: 3

Can I say that I'm not a fan of the performer but I am a fan of the person?! What a lovely woman! She has certainly led an interesting life, and it was well documented in this movie. I agree with others who said they'd like to hear from her son.

I was sad to learn that her husband died just recently - December 2011.

7-Mar-12: ebee - Rating: 4

I loved this movie! I laughed out loud so much. Whoever said CC was dumb like a fox hit the nail on the head! I thought the theme of "love at last" was great, especially when you realize that her husband died just last December. I thought the voice-overs and the interviews were spot on. This could be very much a one-note documentary as CC is identifiable by a singular character but it wasn't. I thought it was just terrific...a real tribute! Thanks, Andy!

7-Mar-12: RichG - Rating: 3

Quite a surprise. Knew nothing about Carol other than her public person. Nice to see she still "had legs" after ninety two years. Must agree with Margaret (again) much too much repetition. Could have been better served with more file footage. The glossing over of her son was a mistake. Should have had him describe his mother from a different perspective. Melissa Rivers provided commentary in her mother's bio. By the way, Carol's fourth husband passed away in December.

7-Mar-12: Jim Stewart - Rating: 4

Carol's wonderful spirit and joy of living really came through in this film. It was great to get to know her a little better.

The impersonator was a great idea however my right ear is still ringing from the painfully loud and somewhat off key singing. While it was cute, and the impersonator caught much of the affect of Carol, "she" could not do justice to the best part of Carol.

6-Mar-12: Margaret Downing - Rating: 3

Tonight's documentary was a valentine to a truly talented star. I particularly enjoyed the interviews with such old timers as Debbie Reynolds. I felt that at 88 minutes, the film

was too long in that the same topics were dealt with time and again -- for example, the marriage to her junior high sweetheart and the Dolly Boys. Some interesting facts were glossed over -- her Christian Scientist upbringing, her 4 marriages (one was not mentioned at all as I recall), her son. I have to admit that most musicals annoy me, so I was not the best audience for this film nor for the Carol Channing impersonator who performed for us after the documentary ended.