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Showing posts with label supergirl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label supergirl. Show all posts

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A fantasyland farce: ABBA movie idea?

(Caution: Slightly humorous sections evolved and developed in the wind-up, below .)

Nah.....It would probably play out too "nice" and/or wholesome for today's Hollywood. And it might be more difficult than it seems to produce a good, authentic movie about the subjects. However:

I sincerely think the highlighted life stories of both ABBA singers would make an interesting movie (and/or a book). A "true-life" drama/depiction, perhaps focusing upon their journeys and key experiences up through the ABBA years, and maybe glimpses afterward. (But detailed post-ABBA adventures might have to be a "part two", or another story entirely.)

Maybe it's been covered in other publications as well, but I know Carl Magnus Palm's "Bright Lights, Dark Shadows" delved into Anni-Frid Lyngstad's and Agnetha Fältskog's upbringing. And further provided interesting information about their early careers, etc. Glimpses of their on- and off-stage lives during ABBA (and beyond), too.

We also have 1977's "ABBA - The Movie" and other films showing the ladies performing with ABBA, looks from behind the scenes, etc. Plus the many pioneering ABBA song promo videos, and filmed and print interviews with the singers, etc. (There's probably even more that I don't know about it....)

Both fronting females have interesting upbringings. Anni-Frid's saga in particular is a true "rags-to-riches" story.  Agnetha's rapid rise as a young singer is also compelling. (Must leave the details to Mr. Palm's book, etc.....) Plus - if someone could get them to talk about it more - I'm sure they each have fascinating anecdotes and stories from their whirlwind days with ABBA. (Happy, and not-so.) I imagine that even a movie about just one of the popular singing stars would be interesting, but covering both (and their interaction) would be better.

In addition to their singing and presenting talent, both women just happen to be memorably attractive. And that's where one problem making such a movie comes in: The two ladies are very well known, especially in Europe and Australia. (Where I think such a movie would be most popular.) They were photographed incessantly.  Committed to film many times. (Agnetha even did a feature film. Link to a snippet.) Thus, for an authentic depiction I think it is a "must" to try and find a couple very similar looking women. Otherwise, it won't play well; there are too many of us around who distinctly remember much about the fronting ladies. So good luck there: Both actors selected would need to be nicely tall; almost the exact same height. Long legs. (I.e., no petites this time.) Plus each original ABBA singer had a unique smile (in my opinion, but also that of others). How would someone come close to replicating those?

I'm biased, but Agnetha in particular would have to be "done right" (in appearance). (Per above Frida really has to be, also.) To many but not to all, the blonde was ABBA' s primary focal point. (Band management seemed to know this.)

Funny though, I can recall an actor/role that came close to what Agnetha showed during ABBA's peak: Supergirl(!)  Ms. Fältskog had to essentially be that anyway, balancing motherhood (etc.) with....well, ABBA.

Helen Slater in 1984's "Supergirl" would be my choice....if only we could somehow travel back for her portrayal. I can't show her photos from then as it's all copyrighted, but here's a link that includes a couple. (More can be found in Google's images, etc.)

So Agnetha's potential "depict-er" wouldn't be too difficult to locate: All she needs to be is Supergirl.



Yeeahhhhh......my 'vision' for a portion of this role seems to be coalescing.....(itsa link, below):




(Update: Just thought about it a tiny bit...Catherine Zeta-Jones might make a very nice-looking Frida....I think she's rather tall, too. (Update: Yes; of course: There is a similar topic re Frida look-alikes at 'abba4ever.com'. (There's one for Agnetha there as well.)  Link: http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-5738.html )

There are other potential problems with finding convincing actors to portray the two stunners from ABBA. Singing would need to be dubbed in, and obtaining ABBA's permission (to use their music and recorded voices) would be a feat. I'm sure ABBA might approve -- with input and control over aspects of the film -- for only a memorable, first-rate cinema production.  To do the job right you'd really need to involve both original singers in the making of the movie, and probably one or both of the men songwriter/producers, too. That starts to get into several complications.... Plus, you'd likely need to film a great deal in Sweden/Europe (close to your ABBA singer/advisers); and we start to see more issues surface. Although Scandinavia would probably be a decent place to hunt for certain beauties (like above) who might just "fit the bill". But they'd also have to be able to properly lip-synch the singing (not so easy to do well), and -- of course -- dance (in outlandish outfits) pretty much like they're making it up as they go along.....Plus there'd be this minor, overall job called "acting", too.  (And must be able/willing to interact with shaggy guys wearing white jumpsuits, leisure suits, etc. That includes occasional touching.)

There are other issues, of course. But if someone just wants to churn out another Hollywood schlock biopic or similar, several of the items noted above could sort of be glossed over, I suppose. Be prepared to most likely then be sued by various members of ABBA. And best of luck getting many older European, Australian and other knowledgeable fans to attend your flick. (Americans might buy in....many will watch anything once.) Etc.

So it doesn't appear that I'll be submitting any script-work for such a silver screen masterpiece any time soon. A shame. A well-done, serious effort would be eminently watchable.

But if any dedicated, creative-types want to "cop" my vision here and run with it, drop a comment on this *copyrighted* blog.  I'll have my machine get back to your machine....Oh, and if Agnetha can't be coaxed to oversee things, I'll gladly stand in as a second-rate technical adviser for your epic. Reasonable rates, uhh... by Hollywood standards.....


(Old image from Google/LIFE archives (1955). "Director George Stevens lining up shot in camera for the movie "Giant."")

This post is backdated. It's actual creation date is December, 2009.

Link to my full blog: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Way back when: Blonde ABBA supergirl

© 2009-2010 (original portions). This is an unofficial website. We're taking a brief look at a couple of 1970s ABBA songs in this entry...

Though it's linked to elsewhere here (in a sea of words), I had to pull this video clip out out for its own post. (The first one, below. Some text follows, but the embedded videos (below) are the 'stars' of this post. Also: If you'd prefer to read music-focused posts via this website (instead of this (early-in-the-process-of- re-discovery) one), please peruse its summary page.)

Not a huge fan of the too-sweet pop song itself, but -- like everyone else -- I love the video performance here (below) plus the incredible outfits. (Some from 1974 are sexist and perhaps demeaning...yeah, OK.)

Singing partner Frida is very attractive (Anni-Frid Lyngstad). But how can she possibly be noticed next to blonde "supergirl"(Agnetha Fältskog...)  As said previously: Hottest girl on the world stage for (quite) awhile in my book. (This generally unfavorable 2008 article labels her "pop's ultimate sex symbol". Agreed.)

Bjorn (ex-husband) seems like an OK dude in interviews, but how could he eventually walk away from HER?? (Or get himself kicked out. Insert: I'm hardly the first to ponder this...) But it almost always takes two to "tangle"....

Whatever: Agnetha (ahng-EH-tah) may have been hurt more by their split-up, I'd speculate, based upon subsequent interviews ,and also this particular (attributed) quotation:
"It has always felt like a failure that Bjorn and I couldn't keep our family together. You never get it back, but to this day I don't regret splitting up. The reason behind our separation is one of those things I definitely don't want to go into!"

Well....Agnetha obviously cared, but....for many in the audience; it's all secondary. Especially when you looked like this.... (sorry for the first frozen frame, though.)


(Link to video (no guarantees re such off-site links): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPCQA19pv7s&feature=related

Many videos happily remain from this '70s supergroup. Another "rare" one graciously posted on YouTube is linked below. It shows off Agnetha's alluring camera presence and her warm, flirtatious (lip-syncing) style. (And yeah; the 2 French dude "hosts" are 2 much....) She conveyed this repeatedly in their on-stage videos, and it seemed natural. Despite professed shyness, etc., the lady shone when the lights came on. She cared about her performance and image, as all ABBA members did. Especially with Agnetha, almost a symbiotic pairing (with the camera), though more benefit may have been on the receiving end.

Link to video: http://www.blogger.com/goog_167646122

2010 update: OK: This video (link) is long gone....Please proceed onward to the next vid., which also demonstrates what is being discussed....Thank you.

And also no doubt an intriguing person: Perhaps a generally introverted personality, but also capable of displaying warmth, passion, sexiness etc. when on stage; which could have also been part of her make-up (?).
Only Agnetha could ever really tell us, and I'd like to ask her such a question (...EASY there...) about her stage persona. Not possible.

Even more sexy flirting from this underrated performer? Try the following from the same 1976 show. I think it's one of the best clips of all - both ladies. (Many to choose from....) Both women "work" the camera and good-looking Frida is nicely expressive. But check out Ms. Camera-Ready Agnetha. Starting off with "the thing" she does for us during at around the 11-12 second mark ...! (A kiss? Almost?) She was undeniably hot. (She herself may be the staunchest "denier" of this.) Whenever she cared to, Agnetha was a "'Camera One' darling"....





2011: OK...^^that nice video^^ has been taken from us by the "suits". Pls. try the following link: (new window) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cyqv02ZKOA&fmt=18
(P.S. Yes: Frida's a beauty here too. Maybe a little camera competition going on...?)


Bonus: This YT video (link); done to Ms. "If Tears Were Gold" Fältskog's "Golliwog"(Gulleplutt). ("Somethin's burnin'".... alright. The song's from 1974, and the cover story is that we were trying to break into the German market (and others).) Love the 'buh-bahs' in it at the end. (Seriously....I like it when Agnetha hums and buh-buhs in her songs. ) Older dudes: Make sure you've taken your medication prior to checking out the vid.  And:  More interesting background info. re the writing of this song (Golliwog) is linked here.

More from fantasyland?? A tiny farce re supergirl Agnetha is attempted here (link)

And....a few more glimpses of young Agnetha in performance (some blurry from the time) via YT producer 'qmebtcsamy's' 'Waterloo' mix (link): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGsg9OSUezk&NR=1&fmt=18

Finally (for brave readers -it's worth it), another underrated ABBA song (informative link) which features intricate harmonies from both fronting ladies, and a magnificent, velvet-voiced Frida.  As noted it may be IS from a Swiss TV special, with a live audience.(YouTube link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd_ZkAiVwzI 
(Here's that entire 1979 concert! Current YT link, new window opens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm6wG35yYKc&fmt=18  )

BTW, if you can tear your eyes away from Frida in this video performance, try watching expressive Agnetha in the closer camera shots. (Who wouldn't want to watch both magnetic women....great outfits for them.) As she was want to do at times, Ms. Fältskog literally acts out certain words/phrases in the song. (Pls. recall that ABBA were music video pioneers, several years before MTV, etc.) At other times you may see differing emotions or feelings on that revealing face. (And body/arm movements - some fitting, some distracting.) E.g.: The blonde performer really "hams up" (the pantomime of) her intro vocal, beginning at the 0:15 second mark of the video. (She's "into it"...) Later, a fittingly mournful/forlorn look is visible from Agnetha at around 2:11, on the "Oh what a shame, you really want that girl" line. Like her appropriate "...world is upside down" gesture at around 2:44.

Etc., etc. (This is a subjective view, of course; others may see the performance differently....)
At any rate, seemingly an expressive person (including non-verbally), fascinating to watch - for some - in-performance. She (often) 'displays' an
unusual ability to "get (come) through the (viewing) screen". 
(Interesting side note: Per page 123 of her 1996 As I Am biography, Ms.Fältskog finds it "painful" to (subsequently) watch recorded or live ABBA performances...)



Link to my full blog: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/