Bootleg Betty
The Magic Lady Is Ready To Begin Again – Video Short By Boodles BonBon
By Boodles BonBon
Bette Midler’s character “The Magic Lady” is one of the memorable personas she created and performed during her legendary live stage shows, most famously captured in the 1980 concert film Divine Madness.
In this sequence, she transforms into a whimsical, dreamy, elderly bag lady (often described as a “moony, bag-lady-on-a-park-bench” type) sitting on a park bench. The character is eccentric and poignant—a sort of whimsical old woman with a bag of tricks, delivering a heartfelt, introspective monologue or performance that contrasts with Midler’s usual high-energy, raunchy, and campy style. It’s a more vulnerable, theatrical interlude amid the show’s wilder numbers, showcasing her range as a performer who could shift from bawdy comedy to something more emotional and character-driven.
Critics at the time, like Roger Ebert in his review of Divine Madness, highlighted how effective the cinematography was during this part, with swooping crane shots emphasizing the dreamy quality of the portrayal. It was also referenced in later reviews (e.g., of her 1990 film Stella) as an example of Midler’s tendency toward more sentimental or “suffering lady” roles.
This isn’t from a movie or TV series but from her live concert repertoire, where she often embodied multiple offbeat characters alongside her signature “Divine Miss M” persona. The Magic Lady stands out as a quieter, more magical/mystical figure in her arsenal of alter egos.
