Musicals Forever
This is my notebook for all the Musicals i`ve seen in my life. An ever-growing list...
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- DirectorStanley DonenGene KellyStarsGene KellyDonald O'ConnorDebbie ReynoldsA silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.Have you ever considered how lame would it be to compare your usual doze of use of the word "masterpiece" in describing movies, in front of this Film?
It is lame, don`t bother. - DirectorJacques DemyStarsCatherine DeneuveNino CastelnuovoAnne VernonA young woman separated from her lover by war faces a life-altering decision.The musical masterpiece among the Jacques Demy "romantic trilogy" is an never-ending libretto which goes all lyrical without a simple pause for "the book" all credited by Demy himself. A three act "recitative" opera filmed in fantastic color by Jean Rabier and orchestrated in immortal music by Michel Legrand. It`s where Opera meets Film.
- DirectorJacques DemyStarsCatherine DeneuveGeorge ChakirisFrançoise DorléacTwo sisters leave their small seaside town of Rochefort in search of romance. Hired as carnival singers, one falls for an American musician, while the other must search for her ideal partner.Finally find a version of this elegant classic (surprise, surprise, I`m living in Iran). What can i say, It was more than i expected. I practically live in his world.
- DirectorVincente MinnelliStarsFred AstaireCyd CharisseOscar LevantA pretentiously artistic director is hired for a new Broadway musical and changes it beyond recognition.Minnelli at it`s best + one of the most fascinating numbers i`ve ever set my eyes upon "The Girl Hunt Ballet"
- DirectorLeo McCareyStarsBing CrosbyBarry FitzgeraldFrank McHughWhen young Father O'Malley arrives at St. Dominic's, old Father Fitzgibbon doesn't think much of the church's newest member.Of all the musicals i have seen this one was really different; Marrying religion and musical is one tough task to be carried. Hopefully, Bing Crosby and Leo McCarey with the ingenious assistance of Barry Fitzgerald achieved it. Amazing Chemistry!
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsJason PalmerDesiree GarciaSandha KhinAfter connecting with the shy Madeline, a jazz trumpeter embarks on a quest for a more gregarious paramour, but through a series of twists and turns punctuated by an original score, the two lovers seem destined to be together.Watching an indie musical movie that digs out of your most sincere affections to cinema felt like love is in the air: The ingenious Damien Chazelle`s debut picture Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench routes out French Nouvelle Vague Musicals such as Une Femme C`est Une Femme by Goddard, or Les Parapluies de Cherbourg and Les Demoiselles de Rochefort by Jacques Demy - There literally is a french number in the song-lists, created by Chazelle himself (among all other numbers of the film). Moreover odes to Shadows by "John Cassavetes" and The Green Ray by "Eric Rohmer" in directing and mise-en-scene. Have you seen such genuine girl pick-up scence as Guy does to Elena in the tube?
The story revolves around the breakup of a jazz trumpeter, Guy (Jason Palmer), and a graduate student, Madeline (Desiree Garcia), after Guy gets involved with another woman, Elena (Sandha Khin). It's the eternal story of love lost. In the aftermath, Guy continues to play gigs, though his relationship with Elena never sparks in the same way it did with Madeline. The directionless Madeline bops along and gets involved with another musician, eventually leaving Boston for New York.
Still, in a series of brainy, innovative fiction films displaying a bent for urban ethnography nurtured in Harvard’s undergraduate film program , Chazelle turned out to be the Rockstar among the others: Gordon Eriksen and John O’Brien’s The Big Dis and Andrew Bujalski’s Funny Ha Ha. Comparing the art and vision in all the people of this clan, you realize why Whiplash became such a brilliant success (fingers are crossed for La La land) and figure out how all the recent attempts to bring back the glory days of vaudeville failed. The Hollywood Musical is survived after all, thanks to Mr Chazelle, and Justin Hurwitz. - DirectorCharles WaltersStarsJudy GarlandFred AstairePeter LawfordA nightclub performer hires a naive chorus girl to become his new dance partner to make his former partner jealous and to prove he can make any partner a star.The golden due`s best flick and one of the most memorable musicals of the history. Judy Garland and Fred Astaire are glorious and magnificent as dancing couples who fell in love. It`s impossible to not fell for "Steppin' Out with My Baby" and "Easter Parade", plus get your hands to "Mr. Monotony" number.
- DirectorVincente MinnelliStarsJudy GarlandMargaret O'BrienMary AstorYoung love and childish fears highlight a year in the life of a turn-of-the-century family.I enjoyed every single song and dance passage of this movie as a musical Idol, with one big exception that i thought it was one of the most dull movies per se I have ever seen in my life.Though i rediscovered some vaudevillian acts, I think i set my bars way too high after all this wait to watch it. Anyway, History Lesson!
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsJames CagneyJoan LeslieWalter HustonThe life of the renowned musical composer, playwright, actor, dancer, and singer George M. Cohan.What a picture, the American spirit of musical unfolds all the way, with James Cagney leading a great song and dance fella "who owned Broadway" once. Michael Curtiz best picture way above "Casablanca" and, and i`m speechless.
- DirectorLloyd BaconStarsWarner BaxterBebe DanielsGeorge BrentWhen the leading lady of a Broadway musical breaks her ankle, she is replaced by a young unknown actress, who becomes the star of the show.I have to confess i never knew Ruby Keeler and had a wiped memory of Dick Powell before this.Furthermore, as much as i adored this archetype of back-stage musicals, i was very uneasy to communicate with the "42nd Street" in the first two-third of the movie. But miraculously, here came Busby Berkely and his ingenious visionary in staging a glamours dance scene, and the amazing shot of tunnel of the legs. What a great Finale.
- DirectorGeorge SidneyBusby BerkeleyStarsBetty HuttonHoward KeelLouis CalhernThe story of the great sharpshooter Annie Oakley, who rose to fame while dealing with her love/professional rival, Frank Butler.The most vaudevillian MGM musical that i`ve ever seen and the most devoted on the idea of circus; The story goes like "As silly as it gets" (thanks to Betty Hutton & Howard Keel) and it has the most memorable number of Golden era "There`s No Business Like Show Business"
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsJudy GarlandJames MasonJack CarsonA film star helps a young singer and actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career on a downward spiral.A world-class, subtly intertwined, deliberately dramatic product of cinematic nature, it sure stands above the rates & expectations of a normal revue.
- DirectorJames WhaleStarsIrene DunneAllan JonesCharles WinningerDespite her mother's objections, the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight as the company's new leading lady.One of the brilliant combinations of Musical with Melodrama, or rather say a light opera, "The Show Boat" routes back to one the greatest shows of Flo Ziegfeld. It has been appeared on screen three times (once silent 1927, once in 1936) and established some of the classic songs wrote by Rodgers and Hammerstein such as "Ol' Man River", "Make Believe", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and "You Are Love". Irene Dunn is glorious and Allan Jones sings from heaven.
- DirectorHarry BeaumontStarsBessie LoveAnita PageCharles KingA pair of sisters from the vaudeville circuit try to make it big time on Broadway, but matters of the heart complicate the attempt.The first amongst a glorious trend in MGM musical and a talkie debut for two of the iconic stars of silent era - Anita Page & Bessie Love - is one of the most amazing things Hollywood gave birth to it. Gosh, "You Were Meant For Me"!
p.s. Arthur Freed is a wizard, but i didn`t know he was such a great lyricist. - DirectorLowell ShermanStarsMae WestCary GrantOwen MooreIn the Gay Nineties, a seductive nightclub singer contends with several suitors, including a jealous escaped convict and a handsome temperance league member.Have you seen Mae West`s debut on silver screen? You`ll find a fine fast-talking dame partnered with such a young Carey Grant that you adore. The only Mae west picture i`ve ever saw.
- DirectorRobert Z. LeonardStarsWilliam PowellMyrna LoyLuise RainerThe ups and downs of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., famed producer of extravagant stage revues, are portrayed.The Honest biopic of a man who gave us many of the most amazing songs, numbers and melodies to live "Flo Ziegfeld" and some of the most magnificent artists and stars of the Broadway musicals "Anna Held" and "Billy Burke", with glorifying performance of the one and only "Louise Rainer", What an Actress! Damn many Don`t Know her today!
- DirectorBusby BerkeleyStarsDick PowellAdolphe MenjouGloria StuartRomantic antics abound among the guests at a luxury hotel, including a stage director, an eccentric millionaire, and the daughter of a financial backer.Long before David Lunch was born, and many years before Bergman came up with the idea of "Film Within a Film" there was Busby Berkeley and his masterful "Lullaby of Broadway" at the end of "Gold Diggers of 1935". What a Joy!
- DirectorWalter LangStarsJeanne CrainDana AndrewsDick HaymesEach member of the Frake clan has his/her own reason for attending the annual Iowa State Fair.I enjoyed the numbers + Viviane Blaine... Fun
- DirectorEttore ScolaStarsÉtienne GuichardRégis BouquetFrancesco De RosaDance moves, music and fashion mark the passage of time inside a Paris dance hall, throughout fifty years of history.History according to musical! or rather half a century of European history told by musical numbers. Was Europe really a ball? The idea is brilliant and the ensemble
- DirectorBusby BerkeleyStarsMickey RooneyJudy GarlandFay BainterJudy Garland and Mickey Rooney star in a musical directed by Busby Berkeley as two talented teenagers dreaming of success as Babes on Broadway.The first encounter with Garland/ Rooney due; not so charming, still pleasant and sometimes entertaining.
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsAudrey HepburnRex HarrisonStanley HollowayIn 1910s London, snobbish phonetics professor Henry Higgins agrees to a wager that he can make crude flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, presentable in high society.Can you imagine something more sweet and delicate than this little beauty?
- DirectorCharles WaltersStarsBing CrosbyGrace KellyFrank SinatraWith socialite Tracy Lord about to remarry, her ex-husband - with the help of a sympathetic reporter - has 48 hours to convince her that she really still loves him.As much as i worshiped the original "Philadelphia Story" i didn't get why they made a remake! It was flimsy and doll, that famous duet excluded.
- DirectorVincente MinnelliCharles WaltersStarsLeslie CaronMaurice ChevalierLouis JourdanWeary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship which may not stay platonic for long.
- DirectorStanley DonenGene KellyStarsGene KellyFrank SinatraBetty GarrettThree sailors wreak havoc as they search for love during a whirlwind 24-hour leave in New York City.
- DirectorRob MarshallStarsRenée ZellwegerCatherine Zeta-JonesRichard GereTwo death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention.