Oh yes... *ahem*. This seems less gratuitous here than it otherwise would, so please feel free to join me (in my substack) for Musical Mondays. Currently I'm looking at Kander and Ebb.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy 14 months' archive! You might particularly like last week's piece in which I bang the drum about the perversion (in every sense) of Cabaret.
Musicals written directly for the screen or film adaptations of stage musicals? If the former, then certainly Fred & Ginger plus Gigi, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Mary Poppins. If the latter: Cabaret, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Chicago and West Side Story.
Reminds me of when people were falling all over La La Land as if it were thebest thing since sliced bread.... but what they forgot to include were actors who could act, singers who could sing, dancers who could dance, songs worth being sung, and a story worth telling. A deadly combination and one I couldnt make it through the first time.
(There's one lovely melody in the show but its melody only.)
The thing is: we have this kind of talent laying around! But studios hire big names to get their audiences, talent be damned.
I grew up watching most of those films. I loved the old film then and still love them now. Thank you for all the clips. I miss seeing these movies and hearing all the music.
Wonderful article, gives me lots of movie suggestions to watch instead of the Oscars. The only movie I’m rooting for is Flow, the animated film out of Latvia. Highly recommend it!!
Great list! I have a record of Kiss Me Kate that Sinatra made with the rat pack, it’s amazing. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis jr, and Sinatra singing We Open in Venice, Jo Stafford singing Why Can’t You Behave, Keely Smith singing Always True To You in my Fashion.
Bravo! It was a wonderful article and now I am so excited to revisit some great movies! Thank you! Also, unrelated but I just saw The Eagle’s at the Sphere in Vegas and it was very cool. But, I found out the Sphere cost Billions to build and is Billions in debt. It got me thinking what musical acts could actually have a residency there today that concert goers and travelers would go see. Popular bands of the 60s and 70s and even 80s are done. Maybe a Beyoncé but would her fans spend money to travel? Taylor Swift could, but would she? Her largest group of fans are kids/teens so they would have to convince their parents to spend some big bucks to get there. Rappers? Nope. Country stars big enough? It’s not like there’s a Led Zeppelin or Rolling Stones equivalent today.
Thank you so much! This is a great and informative article. I admire Fred and Ginger so much. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the talented people listed. I would like to recommend the short videos on YouTube of Cab Calloway and the fabulous Nicholas brothers. They gave their all in their performances.
Oh yes... *ahem*. This seems less gratuitous here than it otherwise would, so please feel free to join me (in my substack) for Musical Mondays. Currently I'm looking at Kander and Ebb.
That’s awesome! Just subscribed!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy 14 months' archive! You might particularly like last week's piece in which I bang the drum about the perversion (in every sense) of Cabaret.
Musicals written directly for the screen or film adaptations of stage musicals? If the former, then certainly Fred & Ginger plus Gigi, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Mary Poppins. If the latter: Cabaret, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Chicago and West Side Story.
This is great.
Reminds me of when people were falling all over La La Land as if it were thebest thing since sliced bread.... but what they forgot to include were actors who could act, singers who could sing, dancers who could dance, songs worth being sung, and a story worth telling. A deadly combination and one I couldnt make it through the first time.
(There's one lovely melody in the show but its melody only.)
The thing is: we have this kind of talent laying around! But studios hire big names to get their audiences, talent be damned.
Disappointing.
I grew up watching most of those films. I loved the old film then and still love them now. Thank you for all the clips. I miss seeing these movies and hearing all the music.
Wonderful article, gives me lots of movie suggestions to watch instead of the Oscars. The only movie I’m rooting for is Flow, the animated film out of Latvia. Highly recommend it!!
And Flow won for animated movie! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
love old time musicals kiss me kate Camelot broadway not Hollywood Brigadoon south pacific Damn Yankees
Great list! I have a record of Kiss Me Kate that Sinatra made with the rat pack, it’s amazing. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis jr, and Sinatra singing We Open in Venice, Jo Stafford singing Why Can’t You Behave, Keely Smith singing Always True To You in my Fashion.
also Funny Thing
will look for that have some Jo
Don't be so hard on Busby Berkeley! People needed escape during the Depression.
Haha, I know, just not my cup of tea…
Bravo! It was a wonderful article and now I am so excited to revisit some great movies! Thank you! Also, unrelated but I just saw The Eagle’s at the Sphere in Vegas and it was very cool. But, I found out the Sphere cost Billions to build and is Billions in debt. It got me thinking what musical acts could actually have a residency there today that concert goers and travelers would go see. Popular bands of the 60s and 70s and even 80s are done. Maybe a Beyoncé but would her fans spend money to travel? Taylor Swift could, but would she? Her largest group of fans are kids/teens so they would have to convince their parents to spend some big bucks to get there. Rappers? Nope. Country stars big enough? It’s not like there’s a Led Zeppelin or Rolling Stones equivalent today.
I loved this.
Thank you so much! This is a great and informative article. I admire Fred and Ginger so much. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the talented people listed. I would like to recommend the short videos on YouTube of Cab Calloway and the fabulous Nicholas brothers. They gave their all in their performances.
You're right. He's totally hilarious.
I guess I didn't miss much by not going to the movies recently.