20) Cabaret (1972)While most
non- musical lovers have the idea in their minds that musicals are campy,
frivolous affairs (and some are,) that’s not always true. Take Cabaret, for
example. It is a musical about World War II Germany, and man, does it tackle
some taboo topics. Directed by Bob Fosse in 1972 (a particularly gritty time
for movies) ‘Cabaret’ is the story of bawdy bohemian dancer Sally Bowles (Liza
Minnelli) and her exploits in a German cabaret theater during the rise of the
Third Reich. Fraught with frank commentary about genocide, homosexuality,
abortion, and social consciousness, Cabaret is a musical with purpose and grit,
as well as (of course) some spectacular performances. Liza Minnelli is
particularly effective as Sally Bowles, the self-involved, highly sexual
anarchist who believes that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Best Musical
Moment: During a particularly dark moment that emphasizes the horror of the
Nazi Regime, a handsome young blonde boy sings directly to the camera,
proclaiming what a bright future he has and how ‘tomorrow belongs to him.’ As
he sings, the camera slowly pans away from him revealing a Nazi uniform and
swastika on his arm.
19) The King
and I (1956)
The fifties were a particularly good time for musicals. It was a more innocent time overall, and singing and dancing were accepted as all around good-entertainment at the time. Because of this, some of the best musicals of all time were created then, and ‘The King and I’ was one of them. Directed by Walter Lang and starring Deborah Kerr and the incomparable Yul Brynner, the story follows English schoolteacher Anna Leonowens, who travels to Siam to teach King Mongkut’s many children. King Mongkut (Yul Brynner, at his most awesome,) is an authoritative man who is used to getting his way, particularly from women, and he and forward-thinking Anna immediately butt heads. It is a beautifully written, tenderly intricate story that swells with commentary on globalization, as well as a sharp wit. It wouldn’t have been made today due to its vaguely Mighty Whitey trope, but it is a marvelous film with a tremendous amount of heart, cleverness, and memorable music.
The fifties were a particularly good time for musicals. It was a more innocent time overall, and singing and dancing were accepted as all around good-entertainment at the time. Because of this, some of the best musicals of all time were created then, and ‘The King and I’ was one of them. Directed by Walter Lang and starring Deborah Kerr and the incomparable Yul Brynner, the story follows English schoolteacher Anna Leonowens, who travels to Siam to teach King Mongkut’s many children. King Mongkut (Yul Brynner, at his most awesome,) is an authoritative man who is used to getting his way, particularly from women, and he and forward-thinking Anna immediately butt heads. It is a beautifully written, tenderly intricate story that swells with commentary on globalization, as well as a sharp wit. It wouldn’t have been made today due to its vaguely Mighty Whitey trope, but it is a marvelous film with a tremendous amount of heart, cleverness, and memorable music.
Best Musical Moment:
During the song “Shall We Dance?” the King and Anna, who have become hardheaded
sparring partners, dance in the ‘Western way,’ and it becomes a romantic (if
tense) battle of wits between two people who may or may not be perfect for each
other.
18) Hairspray
(2007)
This film was the bane of my roommate’s existence in college. J Bright, colorful, and so gaudily done that it may have been created by a bunch of drag queens (there IS one in the movie!), ‘Hairspray’ is the most joyful experience you’ll ever have in a cinema or a theater. While it does have an underlying story about racism and idealism in the 1960s, it’s mostly about enjoying life- dancing, singing, playing, being yourself, and generally enjoying yourself, no matter what your weight or appearance. The cast is interesting to say the least- from Christopher Walken as Wilburn Turnblad, the owner of a joke shop to Allison Janney as Prudy Pingleton, the God-fearing zealot, this is a spectacularly talented cast of Triple Threats. Is it bright and silly? Yes. Is it vaguely hipster-ironic in its perkiness? Without a doubt. Is it an absolute delight? Why, of course.
This film was the bane of my roommate’s existence in college. J Bright, colorful, and so gaudily done that it may have been created by a bunch of drag queens (there IS one in the movie!), ‘Hairspray’ is the most joyful experience you’ll ever have in a cinema or a theater. While it does have an underlying story about racism and idealism in the 1960s, it’s mostly about enjoying life- dancing, singing, playing, being yourself, and generally enjoying yourself, no matter what your weight or appearance. The cast is interesting to say the least- from Christopher Walken as Wilburn Turnblad, the owner of a joke shop to Allison Janney as Prudy Pingleton, the God-fearing zealot, this is a spectacularly talented cast of Triple Threats. Is it bright and silly? Yes. Is it vaguely hipster-ironic in its perkiness? Without a doubt. Is it an absolute delight? Why, of course.
Best Musical
Moment: During a particularly juking-and-jiving number written just for the
movie (“Ladies Choice”) tubby-but-awesome Tracy Turnblad literally breaks down
the racial divide in the studio and leads the whole group in a spectacularly choreographed
dance routine that brings the beginning of ‘peace and love’ into the 1960s.
17) Les Miserables (2012)The newest major musical motion picture is by far not the least respected one
on this list (that one is mentioned later,) but its place in musical history is
yet to be seen. Based on the 1980’s mega musical by the same name, Les
Miserables is the story of Jean Valjean, a convict in the French Revolution who
has done his best to become an honest man, and the obsessive officer who is
pursuing him. There are also lots of other characters and they have their own stories
to tell, all of which tie into Valjean’s story for various reasons. It is an
epic story of justice, redemption, forgiveness, and mercy, and many critics
considered it spectacular. However, there were some notable flaws. For one,
Russell Crowe, who plays Inspector Javert, cannot sing. Les Miserables, for all
intents and purposes, an opera- there are only about 100 words of spoken
dialogue. The rest is sung. Crowe gets a bronze medal for trying his best, but
compared to the theatrical belting of Hugh Jackman (Valjean) or even the
chirping warble of Cosette (Valjean’s adopted daughter, played by Amanda
Seyfried,) Crowe drops the ball. For another, director Tom Hooper decided to
have the actors sing live rather than to a prerecorded track. This is
groundbreaking, and sometimes it paid off. Anne Hathway’s tragic,
one-extended-shot portrayal of prostitute Fantine singing her broken heart out
about ‘the dream she dreamed’ moved audiences to tears and won her an Academy
Award. In some places, however, it doesn’t pay off so well- the actors are
belting their hearts out right in your face, so you can see the veins in their
necks and their backteeth. Many critics complained that it was like having get
right in your face and try to sing you into buying a used car. It was flawed,
no doubt. However, I still thought it a worthwhile film, and thought that it
did justice to the musical and the story. It’s this low on the list because
after just one viewing, I’m not sure how it’ll hold up, but it may be moving up
or down when it comes to Blu-Ray soon.
Best Musical
Moment: It’s hard to beat Anne Hathaway’s heartbreaking rendition of ‘I Dreamed
a Dream.’ Though her character is fairly minor (she dies within the first 20
minutes of the film,) the anguished, desperate cry of a woman who has fallen as
low as she can go, done in one extraordinary take, is pure cinema gold.
16) The Phantom
of the Opera (2004)
Remember how I said that Les Miserables wasn’t by far considered a terrible musical, but one on this list is? Well, here it is: Joel Schumacher’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ It is widely considered a failure of epic proportions. The titular phantom (Gerard Butler,) is an awful singer, grossly miscast as a tame-as-paper-towels antihero, the direction is campy and overwrought, and the remnants of a particularly classy stage musical are assembled haphazardly in a flashy spectacle. So, is it bad? Yes. Do I like it? Yes. Call it a guilty pleasure for a childhood favorite, but I have loved ‘Phantom’ for years, and devoured the soundtrack religiously all through high school. Despite Gerard Butler’s nasally droning, the romantic, sweeping feel of the play is intact, and then-newcomer Emmy Rossum’s angelic voice gave Christine Daae a sympathetic, heart-wrenching truthfulness. Though it fails as an overall work, it succeeds in passion and beauty, and sometimes, that’s really all you need to enjoy a film.
Remember how I said that Les Miserables wasn’t by far considered a terrible musical, but one on this list is? Well, here it is: Joel Schumacher’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ It is widely considered a failure of epic proportions. The titular phantom (Gerard Butler,) is an awful singer, grossly miscast as a tame-as-paper-towels antihero, the direction is campy and overwrought, and the remnants of a particularly classy stage musical are assembled haphazardly in a flashy spectacle. So, is it bad? Yes. Do I like it? Yes. Call it a guilty pleasure for a childhood favorite, but I have loved ‘Phantom’ for years, and devoured the soundtrack religiously all through high school. Despite Gerard Butler’s nasally droning, the romantic, sweeping feel of the play is intact, and then-newcomer Emmy Rossum’s angelic voice gave Christine Daae a sympathetic, heart-wrenching truthfulness. Though it fails as an overall work, it succeeds in passion and beauty, and sometimes, that’s really all you need to enjoy a film.
Best Musical
Moment: Once Christine is able to break the Phantom’s haunting spell over her,
she sets out to trap him… through song! The duet they sing together “Point of
No Return” is a seductive, smoldering song that hardly veils the passion and
sexual tension between an attractive older man and the beautiful young nymph he
is wildly in love with. Hot damn.
15) The Rocky
Horror Picture Show (1975)
It lives! The musical that launched a thousand midnight showings is still one of the highest rated camp masterpieces of all time, and is still running in late-night theaters around the world. It tells the story of square, pathetic Brad and Janet, a Barbie-and-Ken duo haplessly lost in the woods when they come upon a haunted house. There, they encounter a flamboyant drag queen/mad scientist, Dr. Frank N. Furter, who sets out to corrupt the saintly young couple and open their minds to a world of ‘absolute pleasure.’ Starring Tim Curry in his starmaking role, as well as a disastrously off-pitch Susan Sarandon, this musical-come-science fiction spoof is just as goofy and hilarious as it sounds. Though considered a bomb upon its initial release, it has gained a cult following, and is considered one of the most unique, groundbreaking movies of all time.
It lives! The musical that launched a thousand midnight showings is still one of the highest rated camp masterpieces of all time, and is still running in late-night theaters around the world. It tells the story of square, pathetic Brad and Janet, a Barbie-and-Ken duo haplessly lost in the woods when they come upon a haunted house. There, they encounter a flamboyant drag queen/mad scientist, Dr. Frank N. Furter, who sets out to corrupt the saintly young couple and open their minds to a world of ‘absolute pleasure.’ Starring Tim Curry in his starmaking role, as well as a disastrously off-pitch Susan Sarandon, this musical-come-science fiction spoof is just as goofy and hilarious as it sounds. Though considered a bomb upon its initial release, it has gained a cult following, and is considered one of the most unique, groundbreaking movies of all time.
Best Musical
Moment: If you’ve never been in a midnight theater when Tim Curry throws off
his Cruella deVille robe and reveals the sparkling corset-and-garters
underneath during ‘Sweet Transvestite,’ you haven’t lived.
There are some films that you watch no matter how many times they’re on TV. This is that movie for me. It comes on every Christmas, Easter, summer, and spring, but I enjoy it every time. The perennial family musical, it tells the story of a magical (if eccentric) chocolate maker and the children he invites to his factory, including angelic-but-bland Charlie Bucket, who is just the type of good guy that children love. The movie is spectacularly made- accessible, heartfelt, and just as delicious as its favorite candy, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” is one of the best children’s movies of all time. Much if this is owed to Gene Wilder, who plays Wonka as a man who never quite seems to be telling the truth, who constantly has a secret in his pocket and a sparkle in his eye.
Best Musical
Moment: It may just be me, but for me, the defining musical moment isn’t Wonka’s
bemused croon about imagination in the Chocolate room. It’s the opening song, “The
Candy Man Can,” that sets the tone for the movie- happy, friendly, and as
comfortably delightful as a warm cup of hot chocolate.
13) My Fair
Lady (1964)
Though this wonderful film is often hailed as a romance classic, I don’t like it at all from that angle. Overall, it’s a story about a makeover, just as many movies are, but this one is particularly good at it. Elocution professor Dr. Henry Higgins makes a bet that he can transform an ill-spoken, uneducated flower girl named Eliza Doolittle into an eloquent society lady, and of course he does so. This is a relatable plotline that could be done just as easily today as in 19th century England. The performances are wonderful, with elegant Audrey Hepburn playing Eliza has a scrappy but sensible woman set upon by life, and Rex Harrison, who portrays Dr. Higgins as somewhere between closeted-homosexual and Sheldon Cooper insensitive. The problem comes from the implied romance. Come on, when the best thing your partner can say about you is that he’s “gotten accustomed to your face,” you’re definitely not going to encounter a lifestyle of romance and passion. However, the sophistication of the film overall, as well as its witty writing and acting, make My Fair Lady a magnificent addition to cinema, and at the time cemented Audrey Hepburn’s place as a style icon.
Though this wonderful film is often hailed as a romance classic, I don’t like it at all from that angle. Overall, it’s a story about a makeover, just as many movies are, but this one is particularly good at it. Elocution professor Dr. Henry Higgins makes a bet that he can transform an ill-spoken, uneducated flower girl named Eliza Doolittle into an eloquent society lady, and of course he does so. This is a relatable plotline that could be done just as easily today as in 19th century England. The performances are wonderful, with elegant Audrey Hepburn playing Eliza has a scrappy but sensible woman set upon by life, and Rex Harrison, who portrays Dr. Higgins as somewhere between closeted-homosexual and Sheldon Cooper insensitive. The problem comes from the implied romance. Come on, when the best thing your partner can say about you is that he’s “gotten accustomed to your face,” you’re definitely not going to encounter a lifestyle of romance and passion. However, the sophistication of the film overall, as well as its witty writing and acting, make My Fair Lady a magnificent addition to cinema, and at the time cemented Audrey Hepburn’s place as a style icon.
Best Musical
Moment: Where does it rain? On the plain, of course. And where is that blasted
plain? In Spain! In Spain! It’s a silly musical number, but watching Hepburn,
Harrison, and Wilfrid Hyde-White as Colonel Pickering frolick around the living
room singing about the Rain on the Plain in Spain is an absolute delight.
12) Mary
Poppins (1964)
At the 1964 Academy Awards, Audrey Hepburn didn’t take the stage. Much to the surprise of everyone, she wasn’t even nominated for her work in “My Fair Lady.” The person who accepted the Best Actress award that year was a complete newcomer who had until then done strictly stage work- Julie Andrews, who won for her role as ‘practically perfect in every way’ British nanny extraordinaire, Mary Poppins. Like Mary herself, the Disney film is ‘practically perfect.’ Heralded by Walt Disney himself, Mary Poppins swept audiences and children off their feet and into a veritable ‘jolly holiday’, and the movie is still heralded as one of the best ever made. It proved to be Julie Andrews’ starmaking role- she had a long and illustrious film career in musicals throughout the sixties, many of which proved to be longstanding classics. Funny, charming, and extremely well-done and acted, Mary Poppins is a classic Disney film that will be cherished for years to come.
At the 1964 Academy Awards, Audrey Hepburn didn’t take the stage. Much to the surprise of everyone, she wasn’t even nominated for her work in “My Fair Lady.” The person who accepted the Best Actress award that year was a complete newcomer who had until then done strictly stage work- Julie Andrews, who won for her role as ‘practically perfect in every way’ British nanny extraordinaire, Mary Poppins. Like Mary herself, the Disney film is ‘practically perfect.’ Heralded by Walt Disney himself, Mary Poppins swept audiences and children off their feet and into a veritable ‘jolly holiday’, and the movie is still heralded as one of the best ever made. It proved to be Julie Andrews’ starmaking role- she had a long and illustrious film career in musicals throughout the sixties, many of which proved to be longstanding classics. Funny, charming, and extremely well-done and acted, Mary Poppins is a classic Disney film that will be cherished for years to come.
Best Musical Number:
It’s difficult to pick, but my favorite is “A Spoonful of Sugar,” in which Mary
leads the children on a room-cleaning spree in the most magical way possible. How
many of you snapped at your toys as children, hoping they’d stand up and put
themselves away?
11) The Sound
of Music (1965)
Just one year after her win for Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews starred in another bona fide smash- again playing a nanny, but this time, a spoonful of sugar isn’t all that’s needed to make life more bearable. Simultaneously light as air and stern as steel, The Sound of Music is the story of a young nun named Maria who becomes the governess of a group of wealthy children. Their father, Captain Von Trapp, is stern and militaristic, and runs the house like a Navy ship. Of course, Maria’s pluck and charm win him over in the end, and she marries him and is set to live happily ever after. Unfortunately, this is not Disney movie- the Nazis have been leaning on Captain Von Trapp to serve in their military, and the Captain- proud and patriotic- refuses to stoop to their demands. In the tense and frightening climax, they make their escape. For a movie that begins as lightly as it does, it ends on a very cautious note: the family is being forced from their home, and there’s a sense that their little world is about to fall apart completely. Fortunately, there is a happy ending- they have each other, and the love of family is more powerful than anything a terrorist regime can throw at you.
Just one year after her win for Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews starred in another bona fide smash- again playing a nanny, but this time, a spoonful of sugar isn’t all that’s needed to make life more bearable. Simultaneously light as air and stern as steel, The Sound of Music is the story of a young nun named Maria who becomes the governess of a group of wealthy children. Their father, Captain Von Trapp, is stern and militaristic, and runs the house like a Navy ship. Of course, Maria’s pluck and charm win him over in the end, and she marries him and is set to live happily ever after. Unfortunately, this is not Disney movie- the Nazis have been leaning on Captain Von Trapp to serve in their military, and the Captain- proud and patriotic- refuses to stoop to their demands. In the tense and frightening climax, they make their escape. For a movie that begins as lightly as it does, it ends on a very cautious note: the family is being forced from their home, and there’s a sense that their little world is about to fall apart completely. Fortunately, there is a happy ending- they have each other, and the love of family is more powerful than anything a terrorist regime can throw at you.
Best Musical
Moment: It’s impossible to pick just one, but the one that always moves me to
tears is the final ‘Edelweiss,’ when Captain Von Trapp is warily eying the
audience as he sings to the crowd. The Von Trapp Family Singers have made their
debut at a local talent show, and as Captain Von Trapp softly sings a salute to
his beloved homeland, he sees the Nazis in the audience, waiting to seize him
the second he walks off the stage. The usually stoic man begins to weep, and as
his voice fails, his Austrian comrades pick up for him, and begin to sing
along, as a swelling moment of pride ripples through the room. Cue tears.
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