These Old Broads (DVD)

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Four of film and television´s most famous actresses are brought together for this 2001 made-for-TV production, "These Old Broads," a satire of the film and TV industry that tells two stories at once.

Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, and Joan Collins star as Kate, Piper, and Addie, famous actresses "of a certain age" who once co-starred in a 1960´s musical called "Boy Crazy." When "Boy Crazy" is re-released to theaters in the late 90´s, it becomes quite popular unexpectedly, and soon there is a huge increase in interest in the film and its stars. Attempting to capitalize on this interest, Gavin, a TV exec, decides to try and reunite these stars for a TV special where they will sing, dance, and reminisce about the good old days.

Only one problem – the old days? Not so good. In fact, these three women hate each other, and the chances of reuniting them are very slim. However, Gavin is not without his resources, and he convinces struggling documentary writer Wesley (and son of Kate) to convince his mother and the other actresses to join in the new TV venture. It´s going to be a lot of work. The bad blood between the women and their diva-like posturing will be tough to overcome. So Wesley, in turn, finds the only person who can help him convince the others — Beryl, their agent. Played by Elizabeth Taylor, Beryl is a crass and pushy woman, unapologetic about her scandalous past, and a force to be reckoned with.

Beryl´s help does the trick, and soon these old foes are working together on the TV special. However, things are not easy. Old wounds still linger, and their strong personalities clash in colorful ways. In the years since starring in "Boy Crazy," the women have led very different lives that reflect the lives of the actresses playing them.

In a parallel to Reynolds´ real life, Piper runs a Vegas casino where, until the recent interest in Boy Crazy, times were tough. The casino is filled with old movie memorabilia, but business is slow. In real life, Reynolds did run a casino and she maintained a vast collection of film memorabilia.

Wesley´s mother, Kate, is still a working actress, but she is caught in an unending touring production of Mame. In an obvious parody of Shirley MacLaine´s real interests, Kate is a new age guru who burns incense and uses crystals.

Addie, played by Joan Collins, is a socialite with a fake British accent who employs her own mother as her personal assistant. She is fabulously wealthy and is known to be the mistress of an imprisoned mafia boss.

Wesley eventually ends up directing the TV special, and he finds that managing their diva-like personalities and clashing egos extremely difficult. Throw in a ridiculous sub-plot about a dead body, constant bickering over long-ago affairs, a disastrously inept stage crew, and unexpected mother-son adoption drama, and it feels like he'll never make it to the final showtime.

There two main stories, or levels to this film. There is the surface story about older actresses reuniting for another shot at glory, and then there is the way that the surface story parallels the real lives of the actresses. Elizabeth Taylor's role is brief. She plays Beryl, the agent of Piper, Addie, and Kate, but in her few short scenes, they take the time to fill in some back story where her character has a history with Piper in which she once stole away Piper´s husband Freddie. This is an obvious reference to the real life incident between them in which Taylor stole away Eddie Fisher from Reynolds. It is fascinating to see them play the scene where the past deeds are forgiven. How close is this to the truth?