A Dramatic Change Occurs
Bob Fosse had a big challenge on his hands when trying to make a movie version of a successful Broadway show. He needed to preserve the elements that made the show such a success but also needed to put his own mark on the film and make it something unique and different. In order to separate his version of the story from the theatrical original, he made one huge change.
Joel Grey as the Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub in ‘Cabaret,’ 1972. Photo by Granger / Shutterstock
He decided to put most of the film’s focus on the Kit Kat Klub, thereby removing all but one of the songs performed outside the club in the musical. Not only that, but he also wanted some new songs, with the show’s original songwriters, Kander and Ebb, being called in to write ‘Mein Herr’ and ‘Money,’ as well as ‘Maybe This Time.’