Ain't Exactly "A Chorus Line" Or "Cats": Ed Gein: The Musical??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-06-2010, 12:38 AM

Ed Gein: The Musical" is both an appalling idea and a great example of how free speech and free expression are supposed to work.

Making a movie musical about one of Wisconsin's most notorious serial killers sounds like a bad joke — as no doubt it was intended to be. Indeed, one of the people who attended Saturday's premiere of the show in Menasha summed it up exactly that way.

"It was great. It was hilarious. It was in very bad taste," Leigh Moore, who described herself as a serial-killer buff, told a reporter.

Gein was arrested in 1957 after police investigating the disappearance of hardware-store owner Bernice Worden found her disfigured body at his home in the Waushara County town of Plainfield. Body parts of other women were found around his house.

The gruesome real-life story has been exploited by authors and movie producers ever since. The tale is said to have inspired authors who created the characters of Norman Bates in "Psycho," Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs" and Leatherface in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." At least two movies have been made about Gein himself.

But never before now has anyone attempted to make the story into a musical comedy. Even that is not unprecedented.

"Sweeney Todd" and "Little Shop of Horrors" are musicals built around fictional serial killers. The film and Broadway play "The Producers" is built around the staging of a musical called "Springtime for Hitler."

The idea of "The Producers" was that the musical was supposed to be bad. The other serial-killer musicals are about fictional characters. The difference here is that Gein was real and at least two women actually died at his hands — he removed numerous others from their graves.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette has received several phone calls from people who believe the movie is offensive and questioning the media for shining a spotlight on the producers. This is where the issues of free expression enter the discussion.

In a free society these filmmakers are totally within their rights to try turning a twisted idea into a money-making enterprise. They clearly found an audience for better or for worse.

Just as important, the people who are appalled by the concept are free to call it a callous, twisted idea. That's how consensus is reached — by an open airing of all perspectives.

The producers of "Ed Gein: The Musical" got what they wanted — to get people talking.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...PG0602/1050564

LuLu Rogers · 01-06-2010, 01:31 AM

Call me a freak, but Ed Gein fascinates me. I'd love to learn more about the mind of a serial killer, what makes them do these horrific things?

That said, I would NOT be interested in a Musical, I've seen a few movies about him, but a Musical? No, just no.

Marvo301 · 01-06-2010, 01:38 AM

There are a lot of great things in this world to sing about. Serial killing is NOT one of them!!!

ABlairican Pie · 01-06-2010, 01:39 AM

I wonder if they'll use Slayer's "Dead Skin Mask", about Ed Gein, in the production?

JamesG · 01-06-2010, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

At least two movies have been made about Gein himself.

Baaa haa ha.

One movie as I'm concerned.

catlover79 · 01-06-2010, 02:40 AM

No comment!!

Brian Damage · 01-06-2010, 03:05 AM

here's some more details about the "musical"

The movie spoofs several popular songs. Elvis Presley's All Shook Up becomes All Cooked Up and The Sound of Music's My Favorite Things turns into My Demented Things...

See the Trailer Here: http://www.edgeinthemusical.com/

HuntingtonM15 · 01-06-2010, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

Call me a freak, but Ed Gein fascinates me. I'd love to learn more about the mind of a serial killer, what makes them do these horrific things?

Have you read any true crime books? You'd probably like them.

LuLu Rogers · 01-06-2010, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

Have you read any true crime books? You'd probably like them.

No, I haven't. Who writes them?

HuntingtonM15 · 01-06-2010, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

No, I haven't. Who writes them?

There's many true crime authors, but probably the most known (and my personal favorite) is Ann Rule. I definitely recommend her book "The Stranger Beside Me" about Ted Bundy.

JamesG · 01-06-2010, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

There's many true crime authors, but probably the most known (and my personal favorite) is Ann Rule. I definitely recommend her book "The Stranger Beside Me" about Ted Bundy.

She's the one who worked with him at the suicide crisis hotline, right?

LuLu Rogers · 01-06-2010, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

There's many true crime authors, but probably the most known (and my personal favorite) is Ann Rule. I definitely recommend her book "The Stranger Beside Me" about Ted Bundy.

Cool, I'll check it out. Thanks Mike

HuntingtonM15 · 01-06-2010, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

She's the one who worked with him at the suicide crisis hotline, right?

Yep, so her story is especially interesting.

JamesG · 01-06-2010, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

Yep, so her story is especially interesting.

I also know there was a tv-movie on that. I've never seen it though. I saw the movie Bundy which was great; very very disturbing but great.

HuntingtonM15 · 01-06-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

I also know there was a tv-movie on that. I've never seen it though. I saw the movie Bundy which was great; very very disturbing but great.

The TV movie is decent, but it was too rushed. I saw the Bundy movie with Corin Nemec and hated it, but I haven't seen the one with Michael Reilly Burke which is supposed to be better.

01-06-2010, 12:38 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Ain't Exactly "A Chorus Line" Or "Cats": Ed Gein: The Musical??? Ed Gein: The Musical" is both an appalling idea and a great example of how free speech and free expression are supposed to work. Making a movie musical about one of Wisconsin's most notorious serial killers sounds like a bad joke — as no doubt it was intended to be. Indeed, one of the people who attended Saturday's premiere of the show in Menasha summed it up exactly that way. "It was great. It was hilarious. It was in very bad taste," Leigh Moore, who described herself as a serial-killer buff, told a reporter. Gein was arrested in 1957 after police investigating the disappearance of hardware-store owner Bernice Worden found her disfigured body at his home in the Waushara County town of Plainfield. Body parts of other women were found around his house. The gruesome real-life story has been exploited by authors and movie producers ever since. The tale is said to have inspired authors who created the characters of Norman Bates in "Psycho," Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs" and Leatherface in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." At least two movies have been made about Gein himself. But never before now has anyone attempted to make the story into a musical comedy. Even that is not unprecedented. "Sweeney Todd" and "Little Shop of Horrors" are musicals built around fictional serial killers. The film and Broadway play "The Producers" is built around the staging of a musical called "Springtime for Hitler." The idea of "The Producers" was that the musical was supposed to be bad. The other serial-killer musicals are about fictional characters. The difference here is that Gein was real and at least two women actually died at his hands — he removed numerous others from their graves. The Green Bay Press-Gazette has received several phone calls from people who believe the movie is offensive and questioning the media for shining a spotlight on the producers. This is where the issues of free expression enter the discussion. In a free society these filmmakers are totally within their rights to try turning a twisted idea into a money-making enterprise. They clearly found an audience for better or for worse. Just as important, the people who are appalled by the concept are free to call it a callous, twisted idea. That's how consensus is reached — by an open airing of all perspectives. The producers of "Ed Gein: The Musical" got what they wanted — to get people talking. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...PG0602/1050564 Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-06-2010, 01:31 AM	#2
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	Call me a freak, but Ed Gein fascinates me. I'd love to learn more about the mind of a serial killer, what makes them do these horrific things? That said, I would NOT be interested in a Musical, I've seen a few movies about him, but a Musical? No, just no.
	__________________ -Lauren- "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."-Professor Severus Snape

01-06-2010, 01:38 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	There are a lot of great things in this world to sing about. Serial killing is NOT one of them!!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

01-06-2010, 01:39 AM	#4
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	I wonder if they'll use Slayer's "Dead Skin Mask", about Ed Gein, in the production?
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01-06-2010, 02:40 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	No comment!!
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01-06-2010, 03:05 AM	#7
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	here's some more details about the "musical" The movie spoofs several popular songs. Elvis Presley's All Shook Up becomes All Cooked Up and The Sound of Music's My Favorite Things turns into My Demented Things... See the Trailer Here: http://www.edgeinthemusical.com/ Attached Images