MaxThrusters Posted April 22, 2015 #1 Share Posted April 22, 2015 We just watched this film, which was largely shot on the old ms Westerdam. What a hoot! Not the greatest film, but interesting perhaps to we who have cruised on HAL. Does HAL even have the 'gentleman host' dancers anymore? If they do, I'm sure they don't assign free crew quarters anymore. In fact, haven't they done away with the ballroom-style dance areas altogether? I've never seen such on my cruises, although I understand the new ship ms New Koenigsberg has is again. I found it odd that the film didn't show anyone dining in the MDR or anywhere else. I liked how they showed people all dressed up.. everyone in ballgowns and tuxedos! That never happens anymore. The cruise director appeared to have a room big enough to hold a small table for four, which I found unlikely. I was sad to read that almost everyone who appeared in the film has died. Spooky! Has anyone else seen it and wish to comment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. godfredo Posted April 22, 2015 #2 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I enjoyed watching that movie as well. I agree that it is a bit cheesy, but it is a light and fun movie. I have sailed HAL twice and have never seen any ballroom style dancing or male dance hosts aboard. Thanks foir mentoning the movie...it made me smile!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hflors Posted April 22, 2015 #3 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Wow!!! Thanks for the memories. I believe Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathew played the characters in that movie. I haven't seen it in ages, but I think it was a comedy! Wouldn't you love it if they made more movies like that today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 22, 2015 #4 Share Posted April 22, 2015 It has been quite some time since we saw that movie. We used to have dance hosts on our 14 day cruises (not back-to-backs). Then they were eliminated. We also had them on our repositioning cruises (21 days) from Ft Lauderdale to Seattle and vice versa as well as on our 21 and 22 day Pan American cruises. The Pan American cruises aren't even offered anymore. I don't know if they have dance hosts on the World Cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 22, 2015 #5 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Wow!!! Thanks for the memories. I believe Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathew played the characters in that movie. I haven't seen it in ages, but I think it was a comedy! Wouldn't you love it if they made more movies like that today. They were the stars in that movie. I love more movies like that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topsham Posted April 22, 2015 #6 Share Posted April 22, 2015 "They eat your WHAT?" Funniest line in the movie. I think the ballroom scene was made on board the old Queen Mary in Long Beach.... I think. Will check. The old WESTERDAM... good ship. Best cinema ever.... best place to sleep. Too comfortable! One of the bar waiters in the Lido.... name 'Toppie'. He said he was the last of the species on board the WESTERDAM! Picked up his tray to take drinks out to the passengers... Glacier Bay... cold weather. Toppie shouted in loud voice.... "Hot Beer! Hot Sodas! Hot lemonade!" Funny fellow. During T shirt sale I saw the collection and said to Captain who happened to be standing there, "Hi Captain. Why are they selling PACIFIC PRINCESS T shirts on board HAL?" All of the shirts said PACIFIC PRINCESS and Princes Cruises. He was not happy and tore a strip off the shop manager! Yes, good ship. Was good when was as HOMERIC under Home Lines too... 1987. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare whogo Posted April 22, 2015 #7 Share Posted April 22, 2015 IMDB has details on the movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119848/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Filming locations include RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach. I would bet that stateroom shots were filmed in a studio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summer slope Posted April 22, 2015 #8 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Never realized it was the old Westerdam. Will have to pay more attention to the movie next time. I love it. Cheesy, funny, entertaining!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iuki Posted April 22, 2015 #9 Share Posted April 22, 2015 It is one of my favorite movies. Love it! I even have it on my iPad. However, Dianne Cannon is still alive. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvercruiser Posted April 22, 2015 #10 Share Posted April 22, 2015 We were on the old Westerdam during the one week that the cast was filming onboard. It was fun seeing all the stars in person, but they had hoped to get about 10 minutes of film for the movie. When it came out it turned out to be more like about 3 minutes, so no, it wasn't filmed "mainly on the old Westerdam." The scene out on deck with everyone dressed up was taken on a formal night and that was back when people really did dress up. I'm just out of camera range in that scene, but my husband's foot is onscreen for about two seconds in a scene around the pool. It was fun when we were in ports to ride back to the ship on the same tender as Walter Mathau and some of the others. All in all, a very fun cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in NJ Posted April 22, 2015 #11 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Apologies for going a little bit off topic, but Rotterdam V was used in part in the remake of Captains Courageous (not the Spencer Tracy/Freddie Bartholomew) original. One of the scenes I remember was the "kid" in the water after he fell overboard with a fine stern view of Rotterdam as she sailed on. I don't recall if any other scenes were actually filmed on Rotterdam V, but perhaps others will recall the fill. Lead was John (?) Ulrich as I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAllenTCY Posted April 22, 2015 #12 Share Posted April 22, 2015 My understanding is that a very few dance hosts are on cruises 30 days or longer. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Belle Posted April 22, 2015 #13 Share Posted April 22, 2015 When we first started cruising, back in the '90s, there were still the Big Band entertainers like Glenn Miller Band, Tommy Dorsey Band, etc.. During these cruises there were dance hosts available and the single ladies loved it! We sailed one time on the old Westerdam and she was a lovely ship, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oofroggie Posted April 22, 2015 #14 Share Posted April 22, 2015 On the longer voyages they still have dance hosts. They were aboard the 30 day I just go off last tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctcruisedream Posted April 22, 2015 #15 Share Posted April 22, 2015 On the Ryndam in March, in either Roatan or Costa Maya, a crew member stopped me on the Promenade to point out that the Thomson ship in port was the old Westerdam. He said he had once sailed on her and as he gazed at her, I could tell her had wonderful memories going through his mind. I appreciated receiving this bit of history from the crew member! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted April 22, 2015 #16 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I watched it about a month ago on one of the cable stations, great cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmps Posted April 22, 2015 #17 Share Posted April 22, 2015 This movie is available for $2.99 on Amazon instant video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ski ww Posted April 22, 2015 #18 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I have watched the movie & didn't know it was filmed on the old Westerdam, I did enjoy it. We have been on cruises which had the dance hosts on board, but it has been awhile. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted April 22, 2015 #19 Share Posted April 22, 2015 We watched it several times and got a ''hoot". :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksqueak Posted April 22, 2015 #20 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I first watched this movie on a HAL ship (probably the old Noordam)! Got a kick out of seeing the HAL ship. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elycelynne Posted April 22, 2015 #21 Share Posted April 22, 2015 LOVED Brent Spiner (also still alive) as Gil Godwin, the CD (and how he announced himself before he came onstage). Also Elaine Stritch's line that went something like "I have to take a crap and a nap, and I don't need an audience for either". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorGraCr Posted April 22, 2015 #22 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Fun movie. Enjoy seeing it every time, even though I know what's going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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