Musicals (United States and Europe)
During the Great Depression, the U.S. movie musical was one of the most profitable and popular film genres for moviegoing audiences. Strong through the 30s, 40s and 50s, some of the greatest American musicals are now over 60 years old. Consequently, contemporary audiences need to adjust their expectations for pacing, dialogue, camera movement, music, and other major changes in movie aesthetics that have changed during that period.
Some fascinating European musicals emerged in the 1960s (such as a few gems by Jacques Demy) as the American market began to decline, and a small but steady interest in the movie musical has inspired the production of a relatively small number of excellent musicals since then.
Once (2006)
This micro-budget independent Irish film took me by surprise. The music is so good, the song performances so gripping, that I couldn’t get it out of my mind for weeks after I first saw it. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová have since recorded some excellent music under the band name “The Swell Season,” are the type of golden talent that audiences should beg to see.
“Once” is beautiful, touching, funny, engaging, and makes me wonder, “where does all of that Hollywood money go? Why has Hollywood completely lost its touch?”
This film may change your life. Watch the first 25 minutes; If you’re not enraptured, it’s not a film for you.
Les demoiselles de Rochefort (1967)
French New Wave cinema, starring the guy who played Bernardo in West Side Story, showcasing some awesome jazz-based music and a lot of almost-well-rehearsed dance sequences, this film is a gem. Gene Kelly plays a supporting role and is dubbed over in French.
The opening dance sequence, while a band of performers are waiting for a ferry to transport their truck, is ingenious: one of my favorite cinema dance sequences. The movement transitions seamlessly from pedestrian to balletic, and sets the tone for a very entertaining film filled with life and energy.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
This film is so commercially successful and critically acclaimed that I’m surprised how few young people have seen it.
Well over 50 years old, this film is still remarkably accessible, engaging and charming. The dancing is incredible, the story is a lot of fun, and I personally think this film deserves the lofty accolades that it has earned.
Gene Kelly is amazing, as is Don O’Connor (his performance in “Make ‘em Laugh” has been one of my favorite song and dance sequences since I was only a few years old). Cyd Charisse makes an excellent balletic cameo towards the end, and Debbie Reynolds is fun throughout. The film is strangely metacognitive: a Hollywood musical about making a Hollywood musical, it is layered with subtle irony and social commentary.
An American In Paris (1951)
If you’ve never seen a Gene Kelly movie, see “Singin’ In The Rain,” but if you’re looking for more, this is it.
Produced by Arthur Freed, Music by Gershwin, dancing by Kelly and Leslie Caron, academy-award-winning cinematography by John Alton, this is Hollywood in its prime.
Top Hat (1935)
The most commercially successful of the RKO musicals starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the plot is a light rehash of “The Gay Divorceé.”
It’s good. It’s one of Fred’s best. If you want to see Ginger at her best, watch “Roberta” (1935), also starring Fred Astaire.
The Gay Divorceé (1934)
It’s not what you may think. “Gay” in this case means “happy,” and a divorceé is someone who has been divorced. The implication is that the title character (played by Ginger Rogers) is happy to soon be divorced.
The Fred & Ginger formula really began with this film, which includes absolutely classic songs and some dance sequences that still engage and entertain, 70+ years later. The dance sequence to “Night and Day” is an excellent example of the typical conflict between Fred and Ginger, who begin the film on each other’s nerves and end up falling in love.
Another engaging dance sequence is “The Continental,” and Erik Rhodes plays a hilarious Italian character.
Lots of fun, family friendly, lots of cheesy jokes.
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