But this quality of plasticity may actually have ensured the continuing life of Goodbye to Berlin . Certainly it is best known today for being the source of Cabaret . Isherwood s story falls into an interesting and very small middle class of artistic works. At the top end, the masterpieces and their makers stand alone. It seems Sally Bowles is bad, but not quite bad enough to be forgotten.
Geniuses inspire awe and veneration.
Isherwood inspired reworking. Sally Bowles may be likened to a strudy canvas with some roughed-out images upon which a succession of other artists may paint over. To search for these basic images is enlightening. Not really, not if anxious mothers or assorted love subplots can be plugged in so readily. The most powerful ones have all been added by later hands.