bggalaxy Posted June 26, 2003 My number one favorite has to be West Side Story. from the finger snapping start to the "Somewhere" ending it's got me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 27, 2003 My favorite musical is definitely Kiss Me Kate. I love every song in the film and the actors. I was able to see it in 3D too and see an interview with Ann Miller, which was amazing. I feel that the casting was perfect and the film was just plain fun. I also love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers... I have a thing for Howard Keel's voice. Singin' in the Rain because no matter how many times I watch Donald O'Connor sing "Make 'em Laugh," I laugh hysterically. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 31, 2004 My favorite musical--hmmmmm, I like quite a few, although they aren't the best. "Hello Dolly", "Mame" and "Calamity Jane" are the three that come to my mind, but I will choose "Mame" as my favorite one. Cool costumes, songs and sets, but it is difficult getting over Lucy's bad singing.Also, the soft focus whenever Lucy is shown on screen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d4ng3rg1rl Posted March 5, 2004 Showboat hands down is my favorite. I too have a thing for Howard Keel, in fact, any musical with Howard Keel is wonderful. Seven Brides is way up there as well as Kiss Me Kate. Katherine and Keel are always wonderful together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
path40a Posted March 16, 2004 Firstly, I love musicals. There are so many great ones on my top 500 film list (and I seem to discover a new one I'd never seen before frequently on TCM ... lately, "Top Hat"!). It probably all began with "Oklahoma" for me, then I remember "West Side Story" being my favorite, and so on. I also recently saw "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, if I had to pick just one, one that I enjoy every time I watch it and still **** even though I know the dialogue back-to-front, it would have to be "My Fair Lady". The things Rex Harrison's character says about the differences between the sexes et al is just so true, and so, so funny. What more can I say? Also, if I was to pick a favorite musical based upon the songs themselves, I'd probably pick "The Sound of Music". So many great, memorable songs in that one. The only one that comes close is "Oliver!", IMO, if one is choosing just upon the number and quality of the memorable score. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonnet2930 Posted April 7, 2004 My favorite musical is "Singin' in the Rain." I really like to watch Gene Kelly dance, and I am absolutely in love with Donald O'Connor. I have heard that after filming "Make 'Em Laugh," Mr. O'Connor had to have 3 days of bedrest. My 12 year old daughter's favorite musical is "Grease," which I saw in the theater on my 12th birthday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeithFromKC Posted April 14, 2004 I'm almost ashamed to say that I have never really cared for Musicals. There are some beautifully made films in the genre, but it's just never been music that I care for. I do appreciate the fact that in the 30's and 40's, an actor, to be well-rounded, had to display a talent not only for acting, but for singing and dancing as well. Can you see some of today's stars attempting a musical? I don't think the Ashton Kutcher's or the Brittany Murphy's of today could pull it off. I have a very eclectic taste in music, but I just never got excited about the songs from those classic musicals. Of course, you will pelt me with stones when you find out that I consider The Who's TOMMY and Pink Floyd's THE WALL (and PURPLE RAIN, for that matter) to be musicals I can get behind. As much as I love old Jazz and Blues, Rock and Roll is the music that captured my imagination when I first heard The Beatles in 1970 at age 7. For my personal taste, Dylan's DON'T LOOK BACK, The Band's THE LAST WALTZ, The Stone's GIMME SHELTER, WOODSTOCK, THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION (Parts 1&2), The Sex Pistol's THE GREAT ROCK AND ROLL SWINDLE, The Beatles' HARD DAY'S NIGHT, etc., are 'musical' films I can relate to. Having said that, I am willing to re-evaluate my opinion of the classic musicals, now that I'm older. I have seen a few of the classic musicals, but really not that many. In YOUR opinion, which musical(s), should I start off with? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slappy3500 Posted April 17, 2004 Keith I think you should try "Singing in the Rain", "Caberet" and "West Side Story" to start. The music in these films interferes less with the plot and you never get the impresssion that the actor is thinking "I feel a song comming on." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeithFromKC Posted April 18, 2004 Slappy3500, I have seen 'Cabaret' and 'Singing in the Rain' and have actually liked both films. I also like 'An American in Paris.' The songs were pretty good and Gene Kelly, in the latter two films was excellent. I can't believe though, in all of the films I've seen, I just never got around to 'West Side Story.' I love Natalie Wood, and hear Rita Moreno is fantastic in it. I'll put that on my NETFLIX rental list and give it a try! Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bggalaxy Posted April 19, 2004 Hey Keith, have you seen Moulin Rouge? You may may like this because they do covers of several hits throughout the film. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flickerknickers Posted April 19, 2004 Hiya Keith! This recommendation sure ain't for an old musical but it had me jumping for joy. "School of Rock" is beyond fabulous. Jack Black is phenomenal as the failed rocker who takes over a class of gifted nerds. I got it through Netflix and now I'm gonna buy my own copy. I don't know if you'd get a kick out of "Easter Parade" with Garland and Astaire and Ann Miller. I like this one much better than "Meet Me in St. Louis." A real curiosity--which played on my local PBS station years ago--is the early talkie-musical, "Sunnyside Up"--1929, with Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. It is simply adorable! If you don't like the music, you can study the women's fashions and just the way people looked in l929. In one scene, you even see the shadow of the microphone hanging over the stars. "Turn on the Heat" is a wild and crazy number featuring about 50 overweight chorines. Nutty but fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeithFromKC Posted April 20, 2004 Bggalaxy, I actually liked 'Moulin Rouge' alot. I'm a big fan of cinematography and that filmed just 'looked' great from start to finish. Also, the music wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. I definitely walked away impressed by Baz Luhrmann's creative 'vision.' PatyPancake, I saw 'School of Rock' when it came out and loved it! Don't know what it is about Jack Black, but he cracks me up! He seems to be a composite of every stoner I have ever known. So that makes him funny to me by default. I also like his twisted work with Kyle Gass, as part of the comedy 'force' that is TENACIOUS D. His work is probably not for everyone, but 'School of Rock' is pretty cool. As for 'Sunnyside Up,' I'll need to see that! I love my silents, but also love that fun little Pre-Code period from 1929 until 1934. I try and see as many of those films as is humanly possible! I also like Janet Gaynor. Murnau's 'Sunrise' is one of my favorite silent films and Gaynor is terrific in it. I will also put 'Easter Parade' on my viewing list. Like you, I also like to witness what people were wearing, as well as the way they 'talked' back in those days. It completely fascinates me. Anyway, thanks patypancake, as always, for your brilliant expertise......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bulldogcafe1 Posted June 2, 2004 Finally got a decent copy of Centennial Summer yesterday. Linda Darnell was such a FOX! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
classicstar181 Posted June 25, 2004 my favorites are The Sound of Music, Moulin Rouge!, and Chicago. -Ash Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeithFromKC Posted June 26, 2004 Classicstar181, As good as CHICAGO is on film, I suggest you see it on stage, if you haven't already. The show has been touring around the country for the past several years and if it hasn't made it your way, it probably will soon. I'm not the biggest fan of musicals, as you will see in a previous post on this thread, but I thought this was phenomenal on stage...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ayresorchids Posted October 4, 2004 Keith, Try a lesser-known Astaire film called "The Sky's the Limit." It's almost more a dark comedy than a musical, and a most unusual war-themed film. I am a huge fan of musicals, and this unlikely gem is actually my favorite film. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeithFromKC Posted October 5, 2004 Thanks, Ayresorchids! I will have to hunt that down. Sounds interesting...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tmsenzig Posted October 29, 2004 Oh let's see, where do I begin? Being as I have close to 80 movie musicals to my name, it's hard to pick even a few out. I'll name a few. Meet Me In St. Louis - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944 Three Little Words - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1950 State Fair - 20th Century-Fox, 1945 (also like the 1962 version) Broadway Melody of 1938 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937 Victor/Victoria - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1982 Mary Poppins - Walt Disney, 1964 Mame - Warner Bros, 1974 Calamity Jane - Warner Bros, 1973 Billy Rose's Jumbo - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1962 (probably my favorite Doris Day film) The Pirate - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948 - probably the only Gene Kelly film, in addition to Brigadoon, that I really like Show Boat - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1950 (Universal's 1936 version is really good too) The Unsinkable Molly Brown - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1964 (This film is worth seeing for its spectacular Metrocolor widescreen photography alone!) I too will admit I'm a sucker for Mame. I don't see a fault in Lucy's singing. In fact, I think she's more believable in the role than Angela Lansbury was in the Broadway original. And that, regardless how well she can carry a tune, can make all the difference in the world. And you couldn't get a better Vera Charles than in Bea Arthur. The title number as performed in this film is, to me, one of the greatest showstopping numbers ever put on film. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tmsenzig Posted October 29, 2004 To add to my list... Blue Skies (Paramount, 1946) White Christmas (Paramount, 1954... this one is probably my one single favorite, don't know how it slipped my mind before) And to correct myself, Calamity Jane was made in 1953, not 1973. Oops! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhryun Posted February 19, 2005 West Side Story Oklahoma! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang anything with Judy Garland singing But I also agree with Keith in the previous post that TOMMY, THE WALL, HARD DAY'S NIGHT, HELP!, etc. are awesome musicals, just a different type of music. I also liked HAIR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moreta41 Posted March 6, 2005 I am a musical junkie, especially MGM musicals from "The Golden Age" of the mid '40s and '50s. Having said that my favorite all-time musical is "The Sound of Music". I am a romantic, a fan of both Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews, and have a deep interest in history, particularly WWII and the years just before. Watching this movie is my birthday present to myself every year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhryun Posted April 2, 2005 Singin' in the Rain An American in Paris For Me and My Gal The Pirate On the Town Anchors Aweigh Brigadoon Oklahoma! Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Show Boat Meet Me in St. Louis Gigi My Fair Lady Top Hat Swing Time Shall We Dance Holiday Inn Easter Parade Broadway Melody of 1940 Mary Poppins The Sound of Music The Wizard of Oz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhryun Posted April 10, 2005 my fav musical have to be calamity jane and singing in the rain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dot1990cml Posted May 4, 2005 My Fav West Side Story An American in Paris Moulin Rouge Chicago Annie Go Get Your Gun Grease My Fair lady The Sound of Music State Fair Mary poppins The Phantom of the Opera Hello Dolly Funny Girl Guys and Dolls Gipsy .... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erzbet Posted June 8, 2005 MAYTIME ROSE MARIE SWEETHEARTS SMILIN' THRU (1941) A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT (1949) THE GREAT WALTZ THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE SOUND OF MUSIC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
