In My Opinion...The 5 Best Movie Musicals Made

For some reason, I just felt that I had to write this article...Let's see, the first musical ever made (heck, its the first "talkie" ever made) was "The Jazz Singer" (1927) starring Al Jolson. There, a new genre was born. One were people can sing and dance to a ton of jolly (or sad songs) to support the narrative of the film. These movies played a huge role in cinema and the box office, but only 9 ("The Broadway Melody" (1929), "The Great Ziegfield" (1936), "An American in Paris" (1951), "Gigi" (1958), "West Side Story" (1961), "My Fair Lady" (1964), The Sound of Music (1965), "Oliver!" (1968) and "Chicago" (2002)) went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Despite the many more, deserving nominees and contenders. These (in my opinion), are the 5 Best of ALLLLLL Film Musicals.

The Wizard of Oz (1939, Victor Flemming)

"There's a land that I dream of once in a lullaby."

Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Burt Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke and Terry the Dog

Screenplay: Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf (Based on the novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum)

Songs: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Munchkin Medley," "Follow the Yellow Brick Road," "If I Only Had a Brain," "We're Off to See the Wizard," "If I Only Had a Heart," "We're Off to See the Wizard (Reprise)," "If I Only Had the Nerve/We're Off to See the Wizard," "The Merry Old Land of Oz," and "If I Were the King of the Forest".

---"The Wizard of Oz", is the Best Film Musical of all time. It's cute, iconic, popular and above all of that; it really is beautiful! It's deliciously childish songs, colorful cinematography, sets, costumes and very cool makeup were the perfect "magical" mixture to take one on a complete, heavenly dream that will sadly only last for less then what they want it to be.

---This the story of a young girl named Dorothy (Judy Garland), who, in an attempt to run away from home, gets stuck between a tornado and gets transported to the color land of Oz. There she meets magical people, talking trees, good pals and the evil Wicked Witch of the West (played absolutely marvelously by Margaret Hamilton). On her journey to see "The Wizard" (who is said by Glinda the Good Witch of the North, the only person who can send her home to Kansas), she meets The Brainless Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), The Heartless Tin Man (Jack Hailey) and The Cowardly Lion (Burt Lahr) and invites them to go with her to Emerald City, hoping that the Wizard will give them what they lack too. When the meet the Wizard (Frank Morgan), he gives them a task to do before he grants their wishes: The kill the Wicked Witch of the West, who's been on their trail because of the magical Ruby slippers Dorothy is wearing. The 4 work together and do their task beautifully (but accidentally)...When they go back to the prestigious Wizard, they learn that he was a complete phony, but he teaches them that after the courageous act that they've done, they've had the things they wanted all along, except Dorothy...who still wasn't home. The Wizard then explains that he was a Kansas man himself and that he was accidentally sent to Oz too. He tells Dorothy that he knows how to get her home. All things were suppose to end well, but their mode of transport (an old air balloon), accidentally leaves Dorothy and she thinks she's stuck in the mystical land forever. But Glinda (Billie Burke), comes to her rescue, she shows Dorothy that she had the power to take herself home ever since the start of her journey, but she needed to learn something..."There's no place like home." When Dorothy "takes" herself home, she realizes that the whole thing was just a dream, and keeps the lesson of the past "days" in her mind...because there really is no place like home.

---The film really teaches a great universal lesson. But apart from that, the film is utterly brilliant. It takes people to a land where one can be young at heart, and older audiences usually enjoy that. "The Wizard of Oz" is every body's childhood dream and images of this iconic picture will be in every one's minds forever. Lets not forget though those beautiful songs written by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen. "Over the Rainbow" is clearly one of the most popular and greatest songs ever written for the silver screen and for the music world. Judy Garland's original rendition is the best of them all. Timeless and sweet, I'd like to say. The ensemble was delectable and was fascinating.

---The only bad thing going for this film is that it was released in the same year as "Gone with the Wind" (1939), so I smell trouble. Obviously (including myself), everyone favored "Gone" more, but "Wizard" still stays timeless, fresh and alive as ever. Catch it on DVD guys, its highly recommenced for those who love mystical magical films, musicals, children movies or film classics. I assure you, its probably better then everything you've seen (except if you've seen "Gone with the Wind"). This film is my #2 of all time. A MASTERPIECE (X10)!

*****

Singin' in the Rain (1952, Gene Kelly and Stanely Donan)

"I walk down the lane, with a happy refrain, just singin' and dancin' in the rain!"

Cast: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Cyd Charisse, Rita Moreno and Douglas Fowley

Screenplay: Adolph Green and Betty Comden

Songs: "Singin' in the Rain (credits)," "Fit a Fiddle," "All I Do is Dream of You," "Make 'Em Laugh," "I Got a Feeling Your Foolin'/Wedding of the Painted Doll/Should I?," "Beautiful Girl," "You Were Meant for Me," "Moses Suposes," "Good Morning," "Singin' in the Rain," "Would You?" "The Broadway Ballet," "Would You? (Reprise)," "Singin' in the Rain (Reprise)" and "You Are My Lucky Star".

---As much as I wanna award this the #1 spot in the list, it's just a sad truth that "Singin' in the Rain" is just a second behind "The Wizard of Oz" (and if you look at my Top 20 of All Time list at the bottom, you'll see why). I just gotta say, that this film really made me laugh. It was the funniest movie musical I've ever seen and story lines can't get more original then this. Apart from loving the musical numbers and plot a lot (kudos to Gene Kelly for his superior title tune number in the middle of the movie), but the best performance here was Jean Hagen. She didn't sing, and she didn't play a huge role in musical standards, but she was hilarious and is my Best Supporting Actress of ALL time (her loosing the Oscar is one of the biggest crimes I've seen). Anyways, here's the storyline:

---Set in 1927 Hollywood; the film introduces us to Hollywood's biggest silent screen stars Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). Though they've made numerous films together, that were all hits, the studios built up a fixed romance between the box office champs. But in reality, Don hates Lina's selfish guts and "squeaky" voice. Lina isn't allowed to talk in public. According to the studious, "she has a beautiful face and the crowds think she has a voice to match it." So Don does all the talking. But when the world gets introduced to "The Jazz Singer", every studio coverts their equipment to sound equipment, for its the type of movie making. Obviously, Monumental Pictures, would like their biggest stars to be converted to talkies too. But they have two huge problem...Lina's annoying, squeaky voice and her inability to act. Don soon meets Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds), a rising theatrical actress who supposedly has NO interest in film stars and their "gallivanting". Don quickly falls for her however, even though Lina hates her guts for accidentally throwing pie at her face in a party. When Don's first sound movie with Lina ("The Duelling Caviler") gets a preview screening in a local LA theater, the movie gets the worst reviews in the whole Tinseltown. Don then puts his foot forward, and with the help of Kathy's beautiful voice and his music coordinator friend Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor), the three trim the bad scenes of the movie, converts the film into a musical, dubs over Lina's voice and renames it "The Dancing Caviler", in hopes of saving the film! But Lina has a trick of her own, she plans to keep Kathy there working for her with a permanent contract. But during an attempt to "sing" in front of the audience who demanded an encore of a song she sand in the movie, Don and Cosmo open the curtains of the theater where the hit "Dancing Caviler" was just shown, to show that Kathy was singing for Lina all along. All ends well with Don and Kathy standing in the front of the billboard of their new movie "Signin' in the Rain".
---The truth is, the plot is kinda hard to summarize. But watching this is truly worth it guys. Its bubbly, enthusiastic, light, funny and stunning. The ending was simply but elegant and Gene Kelly is the king of movie musicals. Donan and Kelly's direction is a great spectacle; capturing every hip, foot and bounce in the tremendous dance-and-singing sequences Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown's score has cooked up for us. Green and Comden's screenplay is flawless. It has tons of comic moments, while keeping a "beautiful" film status. The dance movies were just gorgeous. You won't see people dance like this anymore. They were so light-hearted and all the numbers looked so easy for them.

---Cast wise; kudos to Gene Kelly, Jean Hagen and the very funny (and very acrobatic) Donald O'Connor. Who here, makes the best performances of their film careers. This is hands-down, Gene Kelly's most glorious and best film. Even better then his Best Picture winning "An American in Paris" (1951). The cameo of Cyd Charisse is very sexy but elegant (and ohhhh yes, she still has the best legs I've seen in any movie).

---To sum the whole thing up, "Singin' in the Rain" is just a whole lot of hella good fun. It's a lovely account of 1920's movie life, and puts humor in that time Hollywood hates the most: The Silent Era. "Singin' in the Rain" is a musical masterwork.

*****

Moulin Rouge! (2001, Baz Luhrmann)

"Suddenly the world doesn't seem like a waste, it all revoles around you..."

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Jim Broadbent, John Leguzamo, Richard Roxburgh, Caroline O'Connor

Screenplay: Baz Lurhmann and Craig Pearce

Songs: "Nature Boy," "The Sound of Music/Children of the Revolution," "Ziddler's Rap," "Sparkling Diamonds Medley," "Your Song," "The Pitch," "One Day I'll Fly Away," "Elephant Love Medley," "Like a Virgin", "Come What May," "El Tango De Roxanne," "Fool to Believe," "The Show Must Go On," "Hindi Sad Diamonds," and "Come What May Finale".

---I think is really one of the most dark, sizzling, extravagant and sexy musicals ever. I can't believe how sexy and vivid the film was about its topic without having to show "nudity" (which so many films nowadays show). It cleary deserved the Best Picture prize over the winner, Ron Howard's drama "A Beautiful Mind", and performances are completely ignored and underrated

---Suppported by lavish sets, costumes amazing acting and the unique direction of Luhrmann; the movie takes us into the world of the sexy French nighclub "Moulin Rouge!". Near there, an English writer Christian (Ewan McGregor), moves from his country to be a Bohemian writer. There, he meets a new group of Bohemian friends, who convince him to write a play for the "Moulin Rouge!". He suddenly falls for the nightclub's most sizzling, most beautiful and most WANTED courtesan, the intriguing Satine (Nicole Kidman). Satine also falls for Christian, but the lovers face two problems that make their relationship "forbidden". Satine's medical state (she has TB) and The Duke (Richard Roxburgh), who pratically owns Satine, after investing into the night club and having a very fascinating deal with the owner, Harold Zelder (Jim Broadbent) that "binds" her to him. The two lowers then have their relationship behind-the-scenes of the show (which Christian wrote) that the Duke is producing for the infamous nightclub. The movie ends with a disapoiingting touch, as Satine dies in Christian's arms, after the hit show and after fighting the rich and powerful Duke for her.

---The popularity of the film has gone far, and not only does young and old girls praise this film, but also boys of all ages! This is the musical for people who do not like musicals! And did I forget to mention that the musical numbers were strong then ever (even though they were just adapted from other artists)? The covers were fanastic. Every song was specially touched and entertaining. From the slow-emotional "One Day I'll Fly Away" to the fast-pased "The Pitch", all the songs were heavely and my eyes stayed open the whole time. The original "Come What May" duet (sung by Kidman and McGregor) was the best in the picture, and the Best Original song snub is a disgrace!

---Kidman and McGregor were absolutely fantastic and emodied their characters to the highest degree. Ewan was emotional, flattering and just plain out amazing. But out of all the roles she's done, this is not only Nicole's most iconic, but her best (even over then uhhh "The Hours" ugh). She was definetely sexy, and my 2001 days were really devoted to her: I was in love. ha.

To support the whole film, was the brillaint arts and technical stuff. The screenplay was funny and hardly flawed. The direction was unqiue and delighting; best of the century. The art direction and costumes were just so lavish and beautiful! It was one of the most memorble things in the movie. And I shant forgert the great/fast film editing and the destinct loud (and fast forwarded) sound.

---From all the movie musicals in this tom 5, "Moulin Rouge" is the most extravagant and probably has the most outstanding production value. The performances, direction, screenplay, SONGS, and everything about the film made me do the one thing the film wanted everyone to do: LOVE.

*****

The Sound of Music (1965, Robert Wise)
"The hills are alive with the sound of music. With songs we have sung for a thousand years."
Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Peggy Wood, Ellanor Parker, Charmian Carr, Richard Hammond, Heather Menzies, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, Kym Karath

Screenplay: Ernest Lehman (Based on the Broadway play by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse)

Songs: "The Sound of Music," "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?," "I Have Confidence," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "The Sound of Music (Reprise)," "The Lonely Goathered," "Edelweiss," "So Long, Farewell," "Climb Every Mountain," "Something Good," "Procreation," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen (Reprsie)," "Do-Re-Mi (Reprise), "Edelweiss (Reprise) and "So Long, Farewell (Reprise).

The only Best Picture here on my list, "The Sound of Music" does wonders for "children's songs" everywhere. In one movie we have "Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things" and "The Lonely Goathered". How iconic can one film get?

---Set during the Golden Days, before the 2nd world war: Maria (Julie Andrews), is a nun trying so hard to fit in the convent. But in a recent attempt that failed, because she forgot about a mass when she was singing in the mountains; the Mother Superior (Peggy Wood), sends her off to be a governess to the 7 children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). First, her relationship with the children is as terrible as could be, for the kids always tortured their governesses (the last one only stayed 4 hours). But what starts off as a conflict, ends up as a understanding with the children and their mother-less hearts. Maria then starts waking the house up again: with fun, laughter and music. Things that the Captain forgot about when his dear wife died years ago. She finally realizes that her job there wasn't to take care of the children, but to prepare them for a new mother. When they all meet The Baroness (Ellanor Parker), the Captain's fiancee from Vienna, the household goes mad for no one really likes her except for the Captain's mind. Soon, Maria and the Captain start understanding each other more, and their boss-employee relationship turns into love, and the Baroness leaves knowing she can't love a man who doesn't love her. Maria learns that she was the mother she was preparing the kids to have afterall. When the Nazis suddenly call for the Captain to serve the, after their honeymoon, the family decides that they won't be split up again. They flee their home and goes over the mountains, safely to Switzerland.

---"The Sound of Music" is full of movie magic and great acting and performances. One of the first films where all the child actors (ALL), didn't piss me off. Julie Andrew's reprise as a governess (like her Oscar winning perfomrance in "Mary Poppins" a year before), was very charming and witty and energetic. One uderrated performance however was of Elanor Parker, who was sheer elegance and brilliant. She is completely overlooked.

---The songs are the biggest thing in the film however. They are so iconic and cute and in the same time, beautiful. My favorite song just has to be "Do-Re-Mi". The way it was stagged and sung was actually really, really fanatstic. The diffrent scenes and bright cinematography added to the film's magic and was a huge showstopper. The other numbers, are presented very simply. This film includes some of the most simplest stagging of musical numbers in a musical movies. But the thing is, all the simplicity works! SURPRISINGLY!

---As much the film is in "kiddieness", I just gotta say that "The Sound of Music" is really, really un-hateable. It's really so full of essence and life and magic that its one of the most difficult of all film classics to ignore. It's a true cinmatic gem (even though we do know that the ending was kinda stagged).

*****

Grease (1978, Randall Klieser)

"Grease is the time, its the place, its the motion; Grease is the way we are feeling."

Cast: John Travolta, Olive Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conway, Didi Conn, Sid Ceaser, Eva Arden, Frankie Avalon, Barry Pearl, Michael Tucci, Kelly Ward, Jaime Donnelly and Dinah Manoff

Screenplay: Allan Carr and Bronte Woodard (Based on the musica by Jim Jacobs and Waren Casey)

Songs: "Grease is the Word," "Summer Nights," "Look at Me I'm Sandra Dee," "Hopelessley Devoted to You," "Grease'd Lightnin'," "Beautify School Drop Out," "Hound Dog," "Rock 'n' Roll is Here to Stay," "Those Magic Changes," "Tears on My Pillow," "Hand Jive," "Blue Moon," "Sandy," "There Are Worse Things I Can Do," "Look at Me I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise)," "You're the One That I Want," and "We Go Together".

---"Grease is most definetly the word...". "Grease" has a huge cult build up, and I'm not really ashamed to say that I'm part of that "Grease" cult...I see the film as almost brilliant, even though there are A LOT of visable flaws. I just really love the story of Danny Zuko and Sandy Olson (and still against that annoying ripoff called "High School Musical (2006)).

---"Grease" is the story of Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olson (Olive Newton-John) who meet on a beach during summer and quickly fall in love. Sandy is Australian and is only in America for vication. In their last few days together, the two have their most memorable and romantic memories ever. When they part, Danny goes back to school as the regulation "cool guy" and becomes the king of the High School scene again. He belongs to The T-Birds, a very exclusive clique, who only dates The Pink Ladies, headed by Rizzo (Stockard Channing). When Sandy's family doesn't get sent back to Australia afterall, she is forced to go to Rydell High, the same school Danny is in. But there, Sandy is nothing but dorky "cheerleader material" who becomes friends with loser Patty Simcox. But the Pink Ladies befriend Sandy, but going out with Danny gets to be a little difficult when all Danny cares about is his "image" and he dooesn't wanna be seen with a dork. For the betterment of their relationship, Sandy makes a sucessful move (kinda stupid if it happend in real life, in my opinion) and trasforms herself as a sexy, cool, smoking chick and the two end up togther.

---It was really wierd a few years I ago. I'm only 15 now, but when I was ages 11 to 13, "Grease" was the first DVD I ever bough for myself. It's kinda stupid to say but I watced the film everyday for 3 years! And I'm not exagerating! It's really true. Ask my siblings. Due to my repetative viewings, I'm sure they've also memorized Sandy and Danny's senior year in Rydell High...including ever lyric!!! I know, its kinda crazy, but that was the past...and I'm still in the cult! Ha.......I still find my "film-style-sift" wierd though because compare my favorite movie ("Gone with the Wind") with my favorite a few years ago.

---*sigh*. The thing is, I still do think "Grease" deserves to be on this list. It really is so a fun movie to watch. It's film classic, bad reviews from the critics maybe; but critics aren't always right. I must say that no matter what, this film (even though it's not a masterpiece), will always hold a place in my heart.

---I'M HOPELESSELY DEVOTED TO IT!