Printer Friendly - Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-16 20:03:36
Hello. I managed to see the last 45 minutes of this documentary: "Carol Channing: Larger Than Life". Oh my goodness...it's fabulous. She is so funny and poignant. It is a treat for theatre fans. For those of you who have Showtime...check your listings for showtimes. I think I may have to buy the dvd. It is that good! from rC in Austin, Texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-16 20:05:11
Here's the Showtime link. from RC in Austin, Texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Brian07663NJ 2012-07-17 08:22:52
1. I love Carol Channing
2. Saw the documentary from Netflix and recommend it
4. WTF is with that crazy hair of hers?
A 'pig tail' sprouting out of the top of her head? Was she aware this was a visual program and not for radio? Why wouldn't her publicist tell her it looked crazy? She is a wonderful woman. She is smart, talented and intelligent but I don't think this made her look like any of those qualities especially to younger people who do not know who she is.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by nmartin 2012-07-17 08:33:36
I saw it yesterday as well and enjoyed it. It's not much of a documentary but it is still fun.
Does anyone know about Channing's relationship with her son, Chan Lowe? He is quite an accomplished editorial cartoonist with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Laurderdale.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-17 08:36:41
Well, he doesn't mention his Mom's name in his bio...what little there is of it. One of the things that struck me about the documentary is when Debbie Reynolds was literally in tears, as she described how the estranged husband of Carol stole her massive theatre memorabilia and sold it. If anyone knows about a husband fleecing a wife, it's Debbie. from RC in Austin, Texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by nmartin 2012-07-17 08:41:02
The moment with Debbie Reynolds made a huge impression on me as well.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by ComingUpRoses2 2012-07-17 08:50:53
A terrific little movie. Made me love Carol even more. I, too, was moved by Debbie's moment. You hardly ever see her get worked up over anything, so it was quite jarring.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Will42 2012-07-17 08:55:23
Those kinds of films are massively entertaining. I believe they are making one about Elaine Stritch at the moment (that must be something) and I hope someone makes one on Debbie Reynolds and Angela Lansbury while they still can.
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work was great as well and completely transformed the image of Rivers to me.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Brian07663NJ 2012-07-17 09:14:45
thanks for the Joan Rivers recommendation - Netflix has it - added it.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-17 09:18:26
Another especially emotional scene is when the 1994 cast members of the "Hello Dolly" revival talk about one of their cast mates who was very ill at the time. In the middle of the show, Carol inquires about his well being. What a lady! from RC in Austin, Texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by morosco 2012-07-17 09:25:18
Another couple of documentaries well worth watching:
Goodnight, We Love You - The Life and Legend of Phyllis Diller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP0mXwcIQEU
The Life of Reilly (Charles Nelson Reilly)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3G-envKrYk
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by BwayGeek2 2012-07-17 10:51:53
Does anyone know if it'll be rerun on Showtime anytime soon?
Thanks.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-17 13:30:12
If you're referring to the Carol Channing documentary, it is being shown again today. Click on to the Showtime link to find specific dates and times. RC in Austin, Texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by BrodyFosse123 2012-07-17 13:46:53
I also agree, it really isn't much of a documentary but more of a profile on Carol Channing. Though it skips quite a bit on her life and career, it does have some nice things in there.
Saying all that, I fully recommend trying to view the actual DVD incarnation as it includes an extensive amount of interviews that were NOT included in the actual documentary and which are fantastic: Jerry Herman talking about the Opening Night performance of HELLO, DOLLY!; Carol Channing talking about Joan Crawford asking her to sing at her wedding a French song; Chita Rivera talking about how seeing Channing on stage inspired her to switch from a ballet career to musical theater, etc. And no, there isn't any further mention of her son aside from the brief mention of him in the documentary. Everyone seems to be fascinated by his exclusion. She admits to her career being first in her life and that he basically grew up in dressing rooms, so that should say enough about their relationship.
All this adds so much more than the actual film itself.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Brian07663NJ 2012-07-17 14:02:18
How would you suggest going about seeing the actual DVD incarnation?
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by BrodyFosse123 2012-07-17 14:17:16
Its already out on DVD so you can purchase it online (Amazon, etc.) or rent it thru Netflix, which is what I did.
Enjoy! 
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by ChanceEncounter 2012-07-17 14:20:38
Will there be a follow-up documentary titled Carol Channing: Older Than Dirt?
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by BrodyFosse123 2012-07-17 14:23:45
Its actually in production right now. Its current working title is: Carol Channing: Life is Just a Bowl of Raspberries.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-17 21:36:48
I also thought it rather strange that the son didn't make an appearance in this documentary. It is poignant that she married her last husband, after being apart for decades. That's real love. from rC in Austin, texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by nmartin 2012-07-17 22:06:03
I just caught the end of this again. The whole bit about cortisone is priceless, as is the look on Tyne Daly's face.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-20 21:02:22
I just received my dvd of "Carol Channing: Larger Than Life". There is a bonus section that has about 47 minutes of segments that were not included in the documentary: Bonus Scenes:
1. First Impressions 2. To be "Hirschfelded" 3. Work Ethic
4. Fashion Icon 5. Creating "Dolly" 6. "Hello Dolly" Opening Night 7. On The Road 8. Crew Stories 9. Too Much Coffee 10. A Tough Audience 11. Food 12. Danny Kaye
13. Barbara Walters on Carol 14. Joan Crawford's Wedding
15. Odds and Ends
Gosh, I've learned so much about Carol thru watching the documentary on tv and now the dvd. I can now see how much of a treasure she is to so many of her fans. Wow! I highly recommend that dvd. from RC in Austin, Texas P.S. A funny story about #14. Apparently, Joan Crawford requested that Carol sing at her wedding to Alfred Steele. Carol picks a French song that she doesn't understand, but sings it nonetheless. Apparently, Carole picked a song with lyrics so dirty, that even the French were embarrassed. Funny.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Wicked Fanatic 2012-07-20 22:38:56
Thanks RC for recommending this! I watched it last night and loved it! Like you I learned so much and now I'm going to rent the DVD because I want to see the added interviews and learn more.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-20 23:13:14
I've been aware of Carol Channing for a while. By watching this dvd, I learned so much about her. With very few legends left from the Golden Era of Broadway, it's all the more reason to learn to appreciate her while she's still around. from RC in Austin, Texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Charliesgirl 2012-07-24 14:45:24
I really liked this! I'm not a huge Carol fan but she has worked with so so so many great people and she will always be Dolly. My fav part was when she was walking around NYC and the cast of Memphis came out of the theater and saw her <3
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Dollypop 2012-07-24 16:30:57
I think it's okay for me to share the fact that Carol's son was estranged from her at the time the documentary was being done. Happily, there's been a reconciliation and they are both working on strengthening their relationship.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by BestActor 2012-07-24 16:51:00
Watching this wonderful program is truly a treat for anyone even remotely attached or interested in Carol, the theater and/or Broadway. To see the adoration and love in the eyes of people on the street, chorus actors, "dolly boys", when they meet or even just speak of Carol shows the love and light that she herself wonderfully emits to us, her admirers and fans... all I can say right now is..."RASPBERRIES!!!!!"
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by CarlosAlberto 2012-07-24 17:02:14
Sh!tdamnfvck...this reminds me that I have to turn in a 750 word essay to dollypop.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Dollypop 2012-07-24 18:05:34
Carlos, since the essay is overdue, it's now 850 words.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by GavestonPS 2012-07-24 18:24:25
Why is Carlos using PalJoey's avatar? Isn't life confusing enough as it is? (j/k)
The doc is now available on-demand from Showtime on Time-Warner cable systems. I caught it last night and found it delightful! I don't know what a previous poster meant by "it isn't much of a documentary." It's true it's a tribute to a legendary performer, not an expose; but Miss Channing is remarkably candid throughout and offers the equivalent of a public apology to her son.
I didn't know she and Tyne Daly were such obvious friends. What a pleasant surprise!
I drove Mr. and Mrs. Lowe to their hotel after a performance in Fort Lauderdale 35 years ago and the talking heads in the film don't exaggerate: he was going over a list of things she had to do the following day and talked to her as if she were mentally impaired. Channing would have been in her mid-50s at the time and, as the film makes clear, was and is anything but stupid. In fairness, his attention to detail allowed her to concentrate on "playing" Carol Channing, but, jeeze, it was embarrassing at the time, particularly because Channing was so nice to everyone at the theater (where I worked).
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-24 21:38:04
At the beginning of the documentary, there are a group of "chorus boys" from an unspecified Broadway show. I could swear that one of them was Paul McGill (formerly of A Chorus Line". What show were they involved in at the time? from RC in Austin, Texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by OtherDaryl2 2012-07-25 13:34:01
RE: 'crazy hair'
Channing has been wearing her hair with the Pebbles ponytail for decades. As I understand it, a bleaching malfunction caused an irreparable bald spot and this has been her solution, basically, since time began.
Loved this film and wanted much, much more.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by CarlosAlberto 2012-07-25 13:47:37
@dollypop: Noooooooo!!! @Gaveston: LOOK CLOSELY THE AVATARS ARE NOT THE SAME!! And yes, that was CYBER YELLING!! (J/K)
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Dollypop 2012-07-25 17:42:48
I will not tolerate yelling (cyber or otherwise) in my classroom, Mr. Alberto. Now the essay is 950 words.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by CarlosAlberto 2012-07-25 17:45:12
Huh? Wha? HEAD - - - - > DESK!!!
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Dollypop 2012-07-25 18:50:38
....and stop trying to damage the desk!
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by GavestonPS 2012-07-25 20:04:25
I love this class and dollypop is my favorite teacher!
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Dollypop 2012-07-25 21:52:49
Flattery will get you everything, Mr. Gaveston. Now, your kind words have earned you the privilege of emptying the trash cans. Take them out of this room and dispose of them on Corine's Corner.
Thank you.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by GavestonPS 2012-07-25 22:31:39
Oh, you young teachers these days. You forgot to tell me to clean the erasers!
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-07-25 22:42:37
I answered my own question. It is indeed Paul McGill and the other chorus boys from "Memphis." I wonder if Carol ever managed to see the show, as she mentioned she might do. from RC in Austin, Texas
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Dollypop 2012-07-25 23:53:53
Cleaning blackboard erasers has been proven to cause lung problems. We "young" teachers now have white boards with erasable markers.
Thank you very much!
Long live God!
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by Brian07663NJ 2012-07-30 11:57:45
Will42...thanks for the recommendation of "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work". Watched it last night. Highly recommend it to all as well. Really shows what a hard working woman she is!
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by supportivemom 2013-02-20 18:51:52
Okay so I just stumbled across this on Showtime and am watching it now. I grew up in the 70's watching Dolly on all the talk shows and I always thought she was very interesting. As I'm watching this now, I have a new found fondness and appreciation for her. Wow!
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime)
Posted by supportivemom 2013-02-20 19:57:28
I absolutely love Carol's work ethic and how she gives the audience her all! This movie is very inspiring and having said that, I was also deeply touched by her husband reciting Annabel Lee to her.
