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An error has ocurred. Please try againThere is distinction between what I term a "music film" vs. a "film musical."
A movie that fits the "music film" category is often one that features a band leader, or musical performers within a band or orchestra. Characters don't break out into song in place of regular speech. Any singing or dancing tends to take place in a nightclub, theater, or on a stage of some kind. The music itself is presented in a logical, realistic setting. Examples of a "music film" would be the biopic features "With a Song in My Heart" about real life singer Jane Froman. Another would be "Stars and Stripes Forever" about John Phillip Souza.
On the other hand, a "film musical" usually includes scenes where characters sing/or dance in place of merely speaking dialogue. Examples would be "Singin' in the Rain," "State Fair" and "The King and I."
To reiterate, "musicals" by definition are always fantasies because of these afore-mentioned elements, whereas straight "music films" can appear to be more realistic, and are often dramatic biopics of famous composers or musicians.
Reviews
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: The Admiral's Daughter (2014)
No French Word Spelling Error After all!
An earlier reviewer on Nov 12, 2023 wrote there was a misspelling on a cafe menu sign behind DiNozzo. The reviewer said the word "VEN" should have been spelled VIN (wine), he also said that the word next to VEN was rouge, meaning red wine. The review concludes that Hollywood doesn't even care to check simple facts like it once did.
Actually, there were no misspellings. The sign listed some weekend specials by day. VEN is an abbreviation for Vendredi meaning Friday. The words grouped across from it are "rougets" meaning red mullets and "ratatouille," which is a vegetable stew. Below VEN is word SAM the abbreviation for Samedi meaning Saturday. Across from it are Saturday's specials.
So, there you have it. A criticism with no basis in fact. How many others lurk out there?
Calling All Kids (1943)
Great Impressions of the Golden Age Stars
This short stands out for the gang's crisp impressions of Judy Garland, Eddie 'Rochester" Anderson, Eleanor Powell, Carmen Miranda, Virginia O'Brien and Fred Astaire. When the gang go into this segment, it just builds and builds in funniness. If you are a classic movie buff (aka regular TCM watcher), you'll likely do a double take when you recall the films these pieces mimic - they're that good. My favorite was Marlene Mains' beautifully funny and spot on impression of Virginia O'Brien! I would watch the whole short again just to see it.
Apart from the cute impressions, the recruitment plot device featuring Froggy, Mickey et al. was likely created to cheer on the servicemen and women in 1943 and they families on the home front. An important initiative for the time.