Hair - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[discussimdb]

Fan of Hair or just want to share your movie knowledge? This topic is dedicated to all trivia and questions related to Hair

[caroline]

Publicity for this picture stated that the film was the "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) of movie musicals" and "the best movie musical since Cabaret (1972).

[alyssa]

Cheryl Barnes had previously appeared in the Broadway stage productions of "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar." In the magazine 'Turnaround', director Milos Forman said of Barnes' audition, "As she started to sing the tune she had prepared, a hush came over the room. She had a voice like a bell, flawless musicality, and great presence."

[cassandra]

Although the film is based on the stage musical, the plot is different, songs are sung in a different order, and characters are portrayed differently.

[kristina]

According to Emily Soares at the Turner Classic Movies website, Milos Forman's only casting regret was Nicholas Ray as The General. "Though he performed well, Ray had to endure clouds of heavy smoke for his big scene, and it was only weeks later that Forman learned he was dying of lung cancer".

[victoria]

George Lucas was offered the chance to direct this movie in the early 1970s. He turned it down because he was developing American Graffiti (1973).

[sylvia]

In the original play Claude is not a conservative from Oklahoma who is drawn into the tribe, he is the leader of the tribe. He tries unsuccessfully to avoid the draft, but is nevertheless inducted and makes a stunning change of appearance in a military uniform and short hair. He is shown dead at the play's end. "Let the Sunshine In" is first sung somberly as a mournful song, ending the play on a downbeat, before it is repeated as a more upbeat anthem for the curtain call.

[kenzi]

This was Nell Carter's film debut.

[jesus]

Diane Keaton sang White Boys/Black Boys In the original stage version. By the time the movie came out ten years later, Keaton was an A-List movie star, probably too big to do a walk-on extra type role she did in the theater production in 1967. The role went to Ellen Foley.

[elmer]

When the film was released in Germany, it was the first Dolby Stereo film dubbed in a language other than English.

[ava]

Although critics and audience members were skeptical that this relic of the late sixties would translate to the screen effectively in 1979; once it opened, Milos Forman's stunning, expansive adaptation of the James Rado/Galt MacDermot musical won over most of the naysayers; and now this is considered one of the best modern musicals in film. (It has a 90% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes.) Famed film critic Roger Ebert gave this movie ****, and a glowing review: " Milos Forman's "Hair" opens with such confidence and joy, moves so swiftly and sustains itself so well that I wonder why I had any doubts. "Hair" is, amazingly, not a period piece but a freshly conceived and staged memory of the tribulations of the mid-sixties." Ebert goes on to say he was totally blown away by the opening numer, "Age of Aquiarius":" I walked into Hair with the gravest doubts that this artifact of 1960s social shock would transfer to our current, sleepier times. In the 1960s we went to angry musicals; now we line up for "La Cage aux Folles." My doubts disappeared with the surge and bold authority of the first musical statement: This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarias." Ebert goes on to say how blown away he was by the choreography in this number; using dancing horses and hippies alike, dancing in unison: "I said I lost my doubts about "Hair" during "Age of Aquarius." To be more precise, they disappeared during Tharp's opening scene in Central Park, when the dancers were joined by the horses of mounted policemen. Anyone who can sit through that opening dance sequence and not be thrilled should give up musicals." Ebert goes on to say it is one of the best musical books ever written: "It is also a terrific musical. The songs, of course, were good to begin with: The glory of "Hair" and "Let the Sun Shine In" and "Age of Aquarius" and the sly, silly warmth of "Black Boys/White Boys." But to the original music, the film version adds a story that works well with it, airy and open photography, and glorious choreography by Twyla Tharp." Ebert finishes his review by saying Milos Forman resurrects the musical with Hair and opens the door for new modern and adult musicals to come: " He brings life to the musical form in the same way that "West Side Story" did, the last time everyone was saying the movie musical was dead.".

[marc]

Dorsey Wright had previously appeared in the Broadway revival of "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical".

[lena]

Actress Annie Golden was cast as Jeannie after director Milos Forman saw Golden performing with the punk rock band The Shirts at a famous Bowery Rock 'n' Roll nightclub.

[kristen]

The original Broadway production opened at the Biltmore Theater on April 20, 1968, and ran for 1750 performances before it closed on July 1, 1972. It was nominated for the 1969 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.

[jamie]

Director Milos Forman attended the very first off-Broadway performance of "Hair" in 1967 in New York. Backstage after the show, Forman told the musical's creators James Rado, Gerome Ragni, and Galt MacDermot that he was interested in making a filmed version of the stage musical, and asked them to consider him for directing it.