Yes, interesting to see the starting performance and the starting makeup. Makeup and costume departments, and the director and Dustin, all worked to bring this character to life.
When asked what the secret to his success on this film was, he said that it was thanks and large part to a conversation he had with a good friend of his named Meryl Streep. I can’t remember what he said she told him, but that kind of helped in the conception of Dorothy Michaels. Anyway, my source on that would be the late Robert Osborne when he opened for Tootsie on Turner classic movies.
so this was a screentest for Dorothy Michaels. And all that stuff about the Guthrie and the Royal Shakespeare Company, Medea etc, he just improvised. He was an unemployed actor. OMG! this is so brilliant!! But his voice is totally different, sort of shy. INTERESTING!!!
There's something heartbreaking about this exchange - it touches on the pain and fear of rejection - and there's such an immediate sense of this here, just beneath the surface - this softening brings something new out of this actor
Well, they did a lot of screen tests to make sure it was plausible. That's the ticket here. I was able to buy Hoffman's character in the wig and dress and voice and not think watching the film, "Hey, that's Mr. Hoffman there." I didn't have that with Mrs. Doubtfire and Robin Williams.
Thank-you so much for sharing such wonderful behind the scenes clips. I love how much the character evolved, it became such a favorite film that still makes me laugh out loud. So powerfully relevant to the current state of the world too.
Whoa! I agree with most of the comments on here: Legendary Dustin definitely developed the character a lot later on. Else this just looks creepy. If he kept this up, this would have gone in Lithgow-type of direction: a disturbed man obviously impersonating a woman. But instead, we got our beloved D-o-r-o-t-h-y! Dorothy Michaels!
According to Larry Gelbart's memoirs, Ashby would laugh several moments after a joke, when he finally got it. Gelbart knew that Ashby wouldn't fly as director. Now, you would think replacing a director known for his black farces would fain better than a director who hasn't directed a comedy at all. But think about it: you wouldn't have to waste effort finding a comedy director that's compatible with the comedy of the screenplay, overall story and jokes alike. Nor would you have to try to fit other directors into that screenplay's mold. Sydney Pollack was a lump of clay perfect for molding. (And yes, I know Ashby was fired because he had to work on "Lookin' to Get Out". But still...)
The Southern accent worked very well. And if you watch the scene where Michael is helping Sandy, he uses the Southern accent he will use as Dorothy at one point.
Wow! The character really evolved a lot. Such a great movie and performance.
Yes, interesting to see the starting performance and the starting makeup. Makeup and costume departments, and the director and Dustin, all worked to bring this character to life.
When asked what the secret to his success on this film was, he said that it was thanks and large part to a conversation he had with a good friend of his named Meryl Streep. I can’t remember what he said she told him, but that kind of helped in the conception of Dorothy Michaels. Anyway, my source on that would be the late Robert Osborne when he opened for Tootsie on Turner classic movies.
so this was a screentest for Dorothy Michaels. And all that stuff about the Guthrie and the Royal Shakespeare Company, Medea etc, he just improvised. He was an unemployed actor. OMG! this is so brilliant!! But his voice is totally different, sort of shy. INTERESTING!!!
There's something heartbreaking about this exchange - it touches on the pain and fear of rejection - and there's such an immediate sense of this here, just beneath the surface - this softening brings something new out of this actor
Dustin is a legend! This was the first film I ever saw him in.
Me too!😃
For me it was Midnight Cowboy. Dustin Hoffman quickly became my favorite actor ever!
Wow! Dustin Hoffman looks like Freddy Mercury in this screen test.
Lovely to see and hear this wonderful video. Thank you!
Hoffman improved the character later on, by far. Still, this is a good early test of how it all started.
Well, they did a lot of screen tests to make sure it was plausible. That's the ticket here. I was able to buy Hoffman's character in the wig and dress and voice and not think watching the film, "Hey, that's Mr. Hoffman there." I didn't have that with Mrs. Doubtfire and Robin Williams.
Wow,Dorothy was really improved by the time 👀
Masterful performance in the film. It’s nice to see the genesis of his interpretation.
oh Gosh this is priceless🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Thank-you so much for sharing such wonderful behind the scenes clips. I love how much the character evolved, it became such a favorite film that still makes me laugh out loud. So powerfully relevant to the current state of the world too.
Dustin did well to make her caricaturish because this wouldn't have worked
incredible peerformans.
amazing screen test
Whoa! I agree with most of the comments on here: Legendary Dustin definitely developed the character a lot later on.
Else this just looks creepy. If he kept this up, this would have gone in Lithgow-type of direction: a disturbed man obviously impersonating a woman.
But instead, we got our beloved D-o-r-o-t-h-y! Dorothy Michaels!
According to Larry Gelbart's memoirs, Ashby would laugh several moments after a joke, when he finally got it. Gelbart knew that Ashby wouldn't fly as director. Now, you would think replacing a director known for his black farces would fain better than a director who hasn't directed a comedy at all. But think about it: you wouldn't have to waste effort finding a comedy director that's compatible with the comedy of the screenplay, overall story and jokes alike. Nor would you have to try to fit other directors into that screenplay's mold. Sydney Pollack was a lump of clay perfect for molding.
(And yes, I know Ashby was fired because he had to work on "Lookin' to Get Out". But still...)
I'd love to read Gelbart's stuff about this. Sydney did a great job on this film as a director and actor.
@@sha11235 He wrote a book: www.amazon.com/Laughing-Matters-Writing-Tootsie-Things/dp/067942945X
what's with the big buck teeth??? LOL
I think those were his teeth.
"You're a nurse... we can't put you in stilettos." LOL
Wonder when Dustin decided to give Dorothy the southern accent...
I've heard that Polly Holliday was his vocal coach for this movie...
The Southern accent worked very well. And if you watch the scene where Michael is helping Sandy, he uses the Southern accent he will use as Dorothy at one point.
Maybe that was the only way he could get his best woman voice.
@@BethGoth15 yes....that was actually the reason..
Vocal coach, costumes, makeup, Dustin, director - everyone's working to develop Dorothy. Evolved quite a bit from the starting point.
Wow!
was tootsie a tv movie at first?
No.
Hell, no. It was always meant to be a theatrical film. Why do you ask?
In Still have it a beat mmmm