Did I say that I hate musicals? Silly me. I meant to say I hate most musicals. Chicago is a musical, sure. But it’s so damn fun that I forget that people are singing their way through the story. Plus, it’s about hoofers, dancers, people who shake their booties and tap their toes. Chicago harkens […]
Entries Tagged as 'Musical'
Chicago
November 2nd, 2009 · No Comments · 2002, Adaptation, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chicago, Color, Miramax, Musical, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere
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Oliver!
September 29th, 2009 · No Comments · 1968, Adaptation, Color, Columbia Pictures, Hugh Griffith, Musical, Oliver Reed, Oliver!
I have an amendment to my earlier proclamation that I hate musicals. I’ve discovered something far worse: A musical with, about, and presumably for children. Charles Dickens, on his best day, could not possibly be considered cheery. So to take a story about orphans, pickpockets, prostitutes, child labor, lying, violence, murder, and the grime of […]
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Sound of Music, The
September 26th, 2009 · No Comments · 1965, Adaptation, Christopher Plummer, Color, Julie Andrews, Marni Nixon, Musical, Robert Wise, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sound of Music, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
I have to be careful with The Sound of Music. Even though it’s a musical, my wife loves the film. She says it’s part of her childhood. And everyone knows how critical such memories are. So I will tread lightly regarding this particular musical, to wit: The scenery is gorgeous. Julie Andrews’ voice is remarkable. […]
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My Fair Lady
September 25th, 2009 · No Comments · 1964, Adaptation, Alan Jay Lerner, Audrey Hepburn, Color, Composer: André Previn, George Bernard Shaw, George Cukor, Marni Nixon, Musical, My Fair Lady, Panavision (Widescreen), Rex Harrison, Swearing, Warner Bros. Pictures
Now this is a musical I can enjoy. The songs are memorable. The characters are rich. The story is delightful. The actors are magical. The costumes are vibrant. My Fair Lady is one of two musicals I hold near and dear to my heart, the other being Singin’ In the Rain, my favorite musical of […]
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West Side Story
September 22nd, 2009 · No Comments · 1961, Adaptation, Color, Composer: Leonard Bernstein, Marni Nixon, Musical, Panavision (Widescreen), Robert Wise, United Artists, West Side Story
There’s a line in Raiders of the Lost Ark that ranks among my favorites: “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” In my case, it’s “Musicals. Why did it have to be a musical?” West Side Story is a musical. “These are the gayest gang members I’ve ever seen in my life,” my wife […]
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Gigi
September 19th, 2009 · No Comments · 1958, Adaptation, Cinemascope (Wide Screen), Color, Composer: André Previn, Gigi, Leslie Caron, M-G-M Studios, Musical, Vincente Minnelli
Remember what I wrote about musicals? Gigi is no exception. I fear it. Or is it loathe? Makes no difference. I have no clue how this movie won nine (nine!) Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Vincente Minnelli, 1903-1986), Best Adapted Screenplay (Alan Jay Lerner, 1918-1986), Best Scoring of a Musical Picture (Andre Previn, […]
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An American In Paris
September 12th, 2009 · No Comments · 1951, An American In Paris, Color, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, M-G-M Studios, Musical, Original Screenplay, Vincente Minnelli
I need to get two things off my chest: 1. I love Gene Kelly. Call it a man crush, a bromance. I don’t care. I think the guy was amazing. I enjoy the man’s smooth-as-silk singing, his 100-watt smile, his remarkable dancing, his undeniable charisma, and his extraordinary energy. Gene Kelly can do no wrong […]
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Going My Way
September 5th, 2009 · No Comments · 1944, Bing Crosby, Black and White, Going My Way, Leo McCarey, Musical, Original Screenplay, Paramount Studios
I was tempted to write a three-word assessment of the movie: No, I’m not. Casablanca this isn’t. It’s not even The Broadway Melody. I’m sitting here watching this film with my wife and a college buddy of mine. About an hour and a half into it I asked, “What is this movie about?” My buddy […]
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Great Ziegfeld, The
August 28th, 2009 · 3 Comments · 1936, Biopic, Black and White, Great Ziegfeld, M-G-M Studios, Musical, Original Screenplay, Powell and Loy
When I found out this was a musical of sorts, I was fully prepared to dislike it. (You see, I’m not a big fan of musicals.) The Great Ziegfeld is the semi-autobiographical story pf Florenz “Flo” Ziegfeld (1867 – 1932), the American Broadway “impresario” best known for his series of theatrical revues, the Ziegfeld Follies […]
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Broadway Melody, The
August 21st, 2009 · 1 Comment · 1928-1929, Black and White, Broadway Melody, The, Clara Bow, M-G-M Studios, Musical, Original Screenplay, Stuttering, The 1920s, Unofficial Academy Award Nomination
My hopes aren’t very high for this movie. According to most of the books I consulted, The Broadway Melody is just not that hot of a film. Charles Matthews in his book Oscar A to Z: A Complete Guide to More Than 2,400 Movies Nominated For Academy Awards writes, The years have not been kind […]
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