The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny  (1998)

Theatrical Release Information:
The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Three criminals - Fatty, Trinity-Moses and Mrs. Begbick -- on the lam from the police found the city of Mahagonny in a desolate area in America. Erecting the "Here-You-May-Do-Anything Inn," they dedicate the city to the hedonistic ideal of doing anything you want (as long as you have the means to pay for it). A group of prostitutes, which includes the young Jenny, quickly sets up shop in Mahagonny, and a quartet of lumberjacks come to sample their wares. One of these men, Jim, falls in love with Jenny. Mahagonny is soon threatened by a hurricane, which unleashes even more anarchy among its residents. Spared when the hurricane changes course, the citizens fall even deeper into debauchery. One lumberjack eats himself to death, and in a prize fight, another is killed by Trinity-Moses. Unfortunately, Jim had placed all his money on the loser in this fight; when it comes out that he cannot pay for the drinks he has imbibed, he is put on trial and condemned to death. After his execution, catastrophes of all kinds befall Mahagonny, and the citizenry marches forward, crying that we "cannot help ourselves or you or anyone" as the curtain falls. Kurt Weill's eclectic scores includes the popular "Alabama Song" ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide