In an intriguing twist of cinematic history, we take a look at a film that has transformed from a box office disaster into a cherished classic, especially for fans of Christian Bale. Let’s rewind to the late 19th century when the 1899 newsboys’ strike made waves across New York City. These young boys fought for better wages, knowing they played a vital role in newspaper sales. The strike, which lasted two weeks, ultimately led to increased pay for these young laborers, despite some compromises. It inspired Disney to create the 1992 musical “Newsies,” under the direction of Kenny Ortega, who is well-known for his work on “High School Musical.” The film starred a young Christian Bale as Jack “Cowboy” Kelly, the charismatic leader of the striking newsboys. Alan Menken, the composer behind many Disney classics, crafted twelve original songs for the film.
Despite the strong talent involved, “Newsies” struggled at the box office, failing to recoup its $15 million budget and leaving Disney nursing millions in losses. However, the film’s legacy took a positive turn as it developed a dedicated cult following and was later adapted into a successful Broadway show. Ironically, while “Newsies” garnered the dubious honor of Worst Song of the Year from The Razzies around the same time that Menken and his collaborator Howard Ashman were winning an Oscar for “Beauty and the Beast,” the score has emerged as a classic in its own right, resonating with audiences.
Christian Bale, who was in his teens during filming, has expressed mixed feelings about his role in the musical. He burst onto the scene with a notable performance in Steven Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun” at just 13 years old. However, “Newsies,” while serving as a stepping stone in his career, was met with both commercial disappointment and critical indifference. In a candid moment with Entertainment Weekly in 2007, Bale reflected on his experience: “At 17, you want to be taken very seriously—you don’t want to be doing a musical. Time healed those wounds, but it took a while.” His discomfort was compounded by the fact that he had agreed to the project before it became a musical, and both Bale and co-star David Moscow were untrained in performing, which added stress to their already challenging roles.
The production was fraught with complications, with budget issues, a constantly shifting script, and tight timelines making the process tough for all involved. The passing of Howard Ashman, who had been slated to collaborate with Menken on the music, only deepened the film’s challenges, resulting in Jack Feldman stepping in to assist with the songwriting. Despite these hurdles, “Newsies” has carved out an unforgettable niche in pop culture, evolving into a powerful pro-union symbol with a timeless message that resonates with many today.
