This may not be really good, but it is fascinating to see if only for a 'legendary' performance, that being of Lauren Bacall as Margo Channing. I never found Bacall the least bit sexy in film, and although she came along some in the late 1940s and 1950s, I always thought she was a near-A star with a B- talent. I recall the discerning but often nasty critic John Simon once stating that there were certain stars, Bacall being one of them, who were simply naturally 'big' personalities and were able to demonstrate that much better on the stage than on the screen. Well, she does that here, and in spades. You cannot watch Bacall in KEY LARGO or TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT and get any idea that she has a personality and 'largeness' of aspect so totally on exhibit in this film. That being said, several reviewers here have somewhat denigrated this TV performance of hers, but they should remember that it is a THEATER performance basically filmed for the small screen. (Bette Davis, in ALL ABOUT EVE, gave a THEATER performance on the screen and got away with it, but she always gave THEATER performances on the screen, somewhat in the manner that Eleanor Parker and Faye Dunaway also did, and they all got away with it, sometimes gloriously well.) As for the rest of the TV show, it is quite updated to include not only some language that would have been verboten on the screen in 1950, but also in changing the Thelma Ritter role to that of a gay man, having an entire scene take place in a gay club, and changing the critic played by George Sanders to a show producer played by Robert Mandan. The producer isn't nearly as nasty and caustic (and funny) as is the Sanders character, but he is in the same position as is the critic to help Eve's upcoming career, and in the end, he gets that particular girl (poor guy), while Margo goes off to the domestic life with a good, but not grainy enough (in comparison to Gary Merrill) Larry Hagman. The songs for this show were so-so at best, but quite effective in putting over why people dedicate their lives to the theater (actually, this is done better than in the movie) and also why Margo has done so. And as iconic as Davis may have been in the movie, she is a big part of a great ensemble, whereas in the musical, Margo is 80% of the show. Whatever the outcome, and it is pretty good, this viewing just moved me to think of all the great stage performances that have not been preserved - like Andrews in MY FAIR LADY, Merman in GYPSY, Alfred Drake in just about everything he did, March and Eldridge in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, etc., etc. Anyway, even as only a historical curiosity, this is well worth viewing.

While the Broadway musical this television special is based upon may be dated, the themes aren't. It's the story of a woman and her career, the presence of somebody who threatens both her career and her happiness, and how she rises above the usual temptations of how to survive while keeping your claws intact. "She" is Margo Channing (the fantastic Lauren Bacall, repeating her Tony Award Winning role), a Broadway diva extraordinare, at the height of her career, but on the threshold of middle age. Insecurities bring on jealousy and fear, especially when a young upstart (Penny Fuller) shows up, pretends to be her best friend, and betrays her simply to boost her own career as a rising actress and Broadway legend in the making.It is obvious that a young Margo Channing would never have done the things that Eve does here to rise from starlet to star. Margo may be tough and even bitchy at times, but she obviously has scruples. She was once a sexy screen siren and has moved into the theater simply for the love of the stage. Now she has two loves-the theater and a producer (Larry Hagman, taking over the role originated by Len Cariou), and isn't willing to let that go. As Margo learns the truth about Eve, she faces some important life lessons that might actually make her grateful to Eve for being that little push she needed to face the reality of aging gracefully.Bette Davis originated the role of Margo and also played a similar role as film actress Margaret Elliott in "The Star", and uttered the immortal screen line, "Fasten Your Seatbelts, It's Going to Be a Bumpy Night!". That becomes a big production number for the musical which was only just one of several dated musical numbers. One of them ("But Alive!") is set in a gay bar, and ends up in the television version which is pretty daring considering this was only four years after the Stonewall riots. I was in a production of this musical in the early 80's for my High School drama club, and they simply transfered the number to the Joe Allen's setting where the gypsies hung out. Here, the setting is extremely obvious with "Gay Power" highlighted on a huge sign in the background and very obvious gay men singing lyrics like "Chickie Chickie Ow! Ow Ow Ow!".One of the main reasons why this doesn't rate a higher rating is that the cheap video tape makes it look even more dated than it was on stage. If it wasn't for the stars being so incredible (Ms. Bacall tears "Welcome to the Theater!" to pieces), this would rank a 5 (**1/2). Attempts to update the book have not proved successful in getting a revival back on Broadway (although it was revived at the New York City Center for an Encores concert) while the same year's "Company" has been revived successfully several times even though the original production had a very early 70's sound as well. If you are lucky enough to find a copy of this, you can enjoy it, as long as you are aware that it works best as a fascinating ghost story.

This is absolutely the worst musical adaptation EVER with the most inadequate, atrocious, inept performance ever recorded by a major star. Lauren Bacall is soooooooooooooooooooooo bad in this it is not to be believed. She can't sing or act. I've seen better acting in my high school productions by almost everyone. That being said her performance is so bad that it must not be missed. Truly a howl - I have parties where I show this on TV and my friends and I sit there screeching with laughter and disbelief. One must see this to believe the travesty that APPLAUSE truly is. Bacall is like a drag queen doing bad drag. When she tries to croak the horrible tune "HURRAY BACK" it sounds like she is saying "HAIRY BACK". This adaptation has bought me endless hours of pleasure and laughter for all the wrong reasons. How Bacall ever won a Tony for this is beyond belief. I heard a story that Ethel Merman was sitting in the audience of this (or maybe WOMAN OF THE YEAR) and the minute Bacall opened her mouth to try to sing she screamed out "JESUS Christ" Don't know if this story is true or not but it is a great tale. Why Lucille Ball is derided in MAME and Lauren Bacall is praised in this totally bewilders me. While Lucy is no great MAME she is monumentally better than Bacall could ever hope to be and LUCY can ACT! Rent this, by this and get your hands on it - it is an unintentional comedic masterpiece!!!

Why Broadway, and Hollywood and Tv Fight to keep some of these American Gems off DVD or Tape bewilders me. This is all but forgotten by even the best memoried Baby Boomers. Well, digging through old tapes, I found this "APPLAUSE" STARRING: Lauren Bacall, Larry Hagman, et al. Now WHO would not pay to see "APPLAUSE" with it's ORIGINAL LEADING STAR? "APPLAUSE" is great, even after 30 years tucked away on a shelf. This find made my day. From the brilliant writing adaptation of "All About Eve", to the effervescent score. This Musical retelling of the Bette Davis classic is overpoweringly Superb. Lauren Bacall at her best! The production was done true to the original. That alone is worth seeing it again. Even on tv. But, in a theatre, on a big screen would be even better. "What is it that we're working for?, Applause, Applause..." Love those classic Musicals, or hate them, I think you'd all LOVE APPLAUSE! Now, let's get it released on DVD. I'd sell my soul to see the ORIGINAL "HELLO,DOLLY!" with Carol Channing on DVD. Perhaps if Hollywood stayed true to the original work, Musicals would have lasted as an art medium. If you ever get a chance to see this GEM, DON'T Pass it up!