..and why?

Whoa, Judi Dench played sally? I had no idea, I knew she played Fräulein Schneider. I said Natasha Richardson because i did really like the 1998 revival.

She played Sally in the original London production.

She neverp layed Schnieder..she did a studio recording.

I'm seeing Samantha Barks as Sally in September.

Judi Dench. Do I really need to state why? I never saw her to be fair, just heard the cast recording. Minnelli was ultimately miscast as good as she was in the part but ultimately it's the direction and choreography that made that film. And the songs of course. Minnelli is a great talent but - she is not Sally Bowles according to the script.

I can't see Sam in the role at all. Too young, too good a singer (Sally is not supposed to be a very good singer, that's the whole point, that's why she is performing in a 3rd rate night club), not a good enough actress, too commercial and "current" looking (Sally has to look 1940's), too pretty (Sally is not supposed to look like a catalogue model and be fresh faced and sweet looking). And not experienced enough as a performer generally. Another "name" casting.... That said I do think Sam is a talented girl and deserves to do well but Sally Bowles - she is not.

I'm sorry, but how can you say Sam's not a 'good enough actress'?? For one thing, if she wasn't a good enough actress she would never have been offered the part in the first place...and I don't see how people can say she's got lack of experience either, she's been acting since she was 4 but in big productions since she was 14. Ok, so they weren't proper professional West End sort of shows, but it still provided her with a lot of experience and training. Plus, my last point for the moment, if she wasn't that good, she would never have got into Arts Educational School in London either, only the best get a place there.

She did amazingly well as Sally, ok, she's not what you would have originally thought of as Sally stereotypically, but she bought something new and fresh to the show and the character.

And for saying she was 'too young', Sally was originally written as a 19 (I think) year old, so when Sam was in the show, she was only 1 year off (for most of it, because she started when she was 17)

Although saying all that, most of your post was actually complimenting Sam 'too good a singer', 'too pretty'...although your comment about 'not experienced enough as a performer' is wrong!! She's been performing since she was 3! How can 16 years of experience not be enough??

by the way, can you add Samantha Barks to this poll please?? She deserves to be there too!!

Team Liza REPRESENT!
(Although I forgot about Natasha Richardson until right after I voted. )

Either way, I consider them to be the two best. Liza's one of my favorite Best Actress wins the Oscars have ever given us, but Natasha's Sally is so, SO brilliant.

I know this is old, but what about Tina Arena, she played Sally in the Melbourne production in Australia, my Dad saw it and said she was suprisingly quite good

From what I've seen, can I nominate Pia Douwes?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS4i_OvY8wg

I've only heard Judi Dench on the studio recording but judging by that, she was superb in the role.