The other morning my friend Martin wrote on his blog:
"With the wife and son off visiting her relatives in Minnesota for the long weekend, what am I doing right now (besides blogging on the laptop from the kitchen counter)? I'm watching the beginning of High School Musical 2 for like the sixth or seventh time."
Now when I read that, I thought "What the heck?? I've never seen those Disney things--probably never will--and meanwhile he's seen this how many times?" And then I remembered his fondness for movies like 'Grease', and then it hit me--I love musicals too!
What follows is my personal 'Top Ten List of All-Time Favorite Musicals'; ranked in ascending order, of course (and followed by a couple Honorable Mentions). Are there any surprises here? It's doubtful; the films have lasted this long for a reason.
10. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
Wait--this movie has a bunch of guys in fake moustaches & orange hair!
Yeah, freaky. But it has Jane Powell.
But this movie has a bunch of 'lonely' hillbilly brothers swooping into town & kidnapping half a dozen single women for the winter!
Criminal. But it has Jane Powell.
But it has too much 'Brothers' and not enough 'Brides'--except for catty Julie Newmar, who has too much everything!
It doesn’t matter. It has Jane Powell.
While songs like 'When You're in Love' don't do a lot for me here, it still had a great score, a well paced & funny storyline and gymnastic dance routines that were brilliant to watch. And of course...Jane Powell.
9. 42nd Street (1933)
"You're going out there a youngster, but you've got to come back a star!"
What's not to love? With a dowey eyed Ruby Keeler ready to save the day, Dick Powell shufflin' off to Buffalo, and Bebe Daniels saying "Now go out there and be so swell that you'll make me hate you!" Throw in George Brent, Walter Baxter, a couple quarts of genuine flop-sweat and a Broadway stage decked in shabby Depression Art-Deco...I say again, what's not to love?
8. Calamity Jane (1953) Doris Day has said this was her favorite film of the 39 musicals she'd done; I agree. From the 'backwoods varmint' in love with Wild Bill Hickok (Howard Keel) to her 'extreme makeover' complete with flowers, chintz curtains, & Maybelline cosmetics--Doris could do it all. I defy you not to fall in love with this wild west critter!
7. A Star is Born (1954)
This was Judy Garland's 'comeback film', her earnest attempt (after MGM dropped her contract) to show the world she could still deliver. And boy, does she ever--a bittersweet vehicle with James Mason as her 'washed up' actor husband, struggling to regain his own star as she climbs the ladder of Hollywood Success.
6. The Sound of Music (1965)
Okay those Von Trapp kids unnerve me a little, but Julie Andrews sure packs a wallop in this film--I don't own it, but I don't have to. I know it by heart & watch it every year when ABC airs it around the holidays. (Each time I see the darn thing, I pray young Liesl doesn't go 'Whee!' after that gay Nazi kisses her, but she always does!)
Musicals I've seen (and loved) performed live on Stage
I saw ‘Phantom of the Opera’ twice—both at the Pantages Theater in Toronto. (Once in front row seats with my friend Elisa & a couple other ‘Broadway Babies’, man it was awesome! A second time with my sister Shawn & a friend of hers who was dating a man in a wheelchair—we got stuck in the last row, boo.) ‘Miss Saigon’ & ‘Oklahoma!’, both at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh with my friend & apartment neighor Sue, and finally ‘Mama Mia!’ at Heinz Hall with my sister Shawn again, for her birthday. What a great show!
If someone had told me I'd be writing (on my own behalf) about Barbra Streisand in the Teepee someday, I wouldn't believe it. But here I am, and here she is. And she was nothing short of amazing in this 'bio musical' based on the life of Fanny Brice--Streisand's film debut. Growing up, my sister Shawn was Barbra's biggest fan; but it wasn't until she got this movie in the 80s that I finally saw it. Over and over again, in fact.
"You think beautiful girls are going to stay stars forever? I should say not! Any minute now they're going to be out! Finished! Then it'll be my turn!"
4. Annie Get Your Gun (1950)
I suppose everyone knows the backstory here--originally a Judy Garland film, but she was dealing with health issues. The studio replaced her with Betty Hutton, who made the character her own.
Irving Berlin certainly cranked 'em out for this Wild West Show--"You Can't Get a Man With a Gun" (my personal favorite), "Doin' What Comes Naturally", "I'm an Indian Too", and of course "Anything You can Do".
For legal reasons, this wasn't broadcast on TV until just a few years ago--and was just as difficult to rent or buy. Thank God they finally cleared that mess up, because this is considered one of the top 5 musicals by the AFI—and me!
3. Cover Girl (1944)
1) A lush technicolor musical from the 40s, and it's not MGM--it's Columbia Pictures??
2) Gene Kelly, Phil Silvers as "Genius" & Rita Hayworth as "Rusty Parker"--the small-time nightclub dancer who looks for her big break in a 'Cover Girl' magazine contest.
3) Did I mention it stars Rita Hayworth?
What You'll Love About 'Cover Girl'
In the first fifteen minutes of the film, Kelly, Hayworth & Silvers do a 'walkalong' dance/song routine 'Make Way for Tomorrow' on a city street-- designed especially for Gene Kelly by a grateful Columbia Pictures.
Hayworth's 'Broadway debut' in the film features twenty giant-sized magazine covers, all in terrific color & some still around today! (Remember Coronet? Colliers? Yeah, me neither. But it's still a fun look into the past!)
2. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
It's no secret that Gene Kelly is my favorite musical actor. In fact, when creating this list I wrestled with 'Summer Stock', 'The Pirate', 'On The Town', 'An American in Paris'...all wonderful films starring Gene Kelly.
Debbie Reynolds was only 19 & still lived at home with her parents while making this film; did you know Howard Keel was MGM's original choice for the lead?
So who doesn't know the story, about the early days of Hollywood when the industry was attempting to switch from silent films to talkies? Also starring Donald O'Connor (who was secretly terrified of Kelly), Debbie Reynolds & a too-sexy Cyd Charisse--Gene didn't just make a fine movie here, he made history. It's no wonder that the American Film Institute rated this the No.1 musical of all time--and the No.5 MOVIE of all time.
1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
This took all of 3 seconds to decide. Judy Garland--the greatest star of all time, in what is & will always remain my favorite musical –and- movie of all time.
Honorary Mentions - Three Personal Favorites that deserve to be listed here too
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)
Let's see--ESP, reincarnation, hypnotism, mod 1970 fashions and a Hitchcock-like opening sequence with the best title ever.
College student Barbra visits Professor Yves Montand to help her quit smoking & discovers she’s the latest in a long line of Barbras—who knew??
Chicago (2002)
My friend Sue dragged me to this when it premiered; I haven't got Catherine Zeta-Jones or Renee Zelwegger outta my head ever since!
West Side Story (1961)
Natalie Wood plays Maria. That's all you need to know.
The End!
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