Movie Night: The Material Girl Turns 50!

BuzzSugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:00:00 PDT

Madonna turning 50 is practically a holiday around here at Sugar HQ. I know one mega-fan here in the office who couldn't be more excited about the Queen of Pop's birthday. While many appreciate Madge's tremendous impact on popular music, I am equally appreciative of some of her movie roles. You'd think that Madonna's off-screen persona might overwhelm her characters onscreen, but that hasn't really been the case. I consider her a capable and engaging actress, and I've picked out a few of my favorite titles in her filmography. So, happy birthday Madonna - this Movie Night's for you!

Dick Tracy
I love that Netflix describes Madonna's character in this awesome '90s movie as the "seductive and sultry torch singer Breathless Mahoney." Dick Tracy was pretty much panned by critics, despite its star-studded cast. Regardless, the visual setting is vibrant, the costumes are neato, and to this day I still watch Madonna's performance of "Sooner or Later" and want to be her for Halloween.

For the other two Madonna movies on my list, just

read more. A League of Their Own Even though Madonna was a big star by the time she did this movie, she humbly fit herself into the ensemble cast, and her character is a huge part of what makes this Penny Marshall classic so great. Her dynamic with Rosie O'Donnell's character is so perfectly rendered, the two of them endeared themselves to me when I saw this movie for the first time. Aw, how can you resist A League of Their Own? Desperately Seeking Susan How fun is it to re-experience the '80s Madonna in all her dark-roots glory? Sure, you can pop in some of her greatest hits, but there is nothing like seeing her on your TV screen. A bored housewife (Rosanna Arquette) becomes infatuated with Susan (Madonna) through the classified ads (remember those?) in this 1985 classic. And who wouldn't get obsessed? Susan is a free-spirited Holly Golightly-type but with a lot more lace. As the screwball comedic plot twists ensue, you're reminded why Madonna became one of the world's biggest stars. Source and Source

Madonna Meets Blondie in Musical Version of Desperately Seeking Susan

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:29:34 PDT

I used to have a theory that girls who grew up in the '80s identified with either the punk style of Blondie's Debbie Harry or the slick sexiness of Madonna. Now, the two are colliding in an intriguing way: Madonna's 1985 comedy Desperately Seeking Susan is being made into a musical featuring the songs of Blondie. The project is set to premiere this fall in London.

No, Madonna won't be a part of it (an actress named Emma Williams will play the role of Susan, while Kelly Price will take on Rosanna Arquette's character, Roberta) - but Debbie Harry will be all over it. According to Playbill, "One Way or Another" and "The Tide is High" will be among the Blondie songs woven into the show, and Harry is writing a new song for the production.

Until I reread the plot summary, I didn't realize Roberta's last name was Glass - so I guess that explains how "Heart of Glass" will fit in. In case you've forgotten how the movie goes, here's Playbill's summary:

Roberta Glass, a suburban New Jersey housewife, escapes her humdrum life by reading the personal ads placed by Susan, a street-smart New York City drifter, and her freewheeling boyfriend Jay. Through a quirky twist of fate, Roberta and Susan unexpectedly swap lives and are plunged into a madcap world of jewel heists, magic shows and rock 'n' roll.

A musical theater version of this story certainly has the potential to be awful, but it's such a weird concept that I think it could turn out awesome. What do you think?

Desperately Seeking Susan photo Source
Debbie Harry photo Source