Bootleg Betty
Video: Bette Midler -Making Of The Rose With David Sheehan
By Mister D
January 7, 2025
Synopsis: “The Rose” is a 1979 American musical drama film directed by Mark Rydell, starring Bette Midler as Mary Rose Foster, a rock star based loosely on the life of Janis Joplin. The story follows Rose during her last tour in late 1969, where she is a successful but deeply troubled singer. Despite her brassy and loud public persona, Rose is lonely, insecure, and battling alcoholism and past drug use. Her manager, Rudge Campbell (played by Alan Bates), keeps her on an exhausting tour schedule, ignoring her pleas for rest. Rose begins a tumultuous romance with a limo driver, Huston Dyer (Frederic Forrest), who is actually an AWOL sergeant from the Army. The film depicts her struggles with fame, her search for love and approval, culminating in a tragic end where Rose dies from a drug overdose on stage during her homecoming concert.
Trivia:
The film was originally titled “Pearl,” Janis Joplin’s nickname, but was changed due to the Joplin family not allowing the use of her story for the film.
Bette Midler made her starring film debut with “The Rose,” which led to her receiving a Best Actress nomination at the 52nd Academy Awards and a Golden Globe win.
The film was completed in time for an April 1979 release but was postponed until autumn by 20th Century-Fox.
Mark Rydell would only agree to direct if Bette Midler was cast in the lead role.
The title song, “The Rose,” written by Amanda McBroom, became one of Midler’s biggest hits, selling over a million copies in its first year, and was performed by Midler for the film’s soundtrack.
Several renowned cinematographers contributed to the dazzling concert scenes, including Vilmos Zsigmond, Conrad L. Hall, László Kovács, Owen Roizman, and Haskell Wexler.
Quotes from the Film:
“It’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It is the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give. And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.” – From the song “The Rose,” which encapsulates the essence of Rose’s character.
“Where you going…? Where’s everybody going…?” – This was the last question Rose asked before her death, highlighting her isolation and confusion.
“What are we ladies? What are we? We are waitresses at the banquet of life! Get into that kitchen and rattle them pots and pans – and you better look pretty good doin’ it too, ‘else you gonna lose you good thing. And why do we do that, I’ll tell you why we do that? We do that to find love – Oh I love to be in love – don’t you love to be in love?” – A poignant reflection on the role of women in society and the search for love.
These elements combine to make “The Rose” a memorable film that delves into the dark side of fame and the human condition, with Bette Midler’s performance being a significant highlight.
