Singin in the Rain, 1952

(Originally posted: March 11, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Gene Kelly-- Debbie Reynolds

Director: Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly

Choreographer: Gene Kelly

Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse

Silent film star Don Lockwood (Kelly) and his on-screen partner Lina Lamont (Hagen) need to start making the transition to "talking pictures" like all the other Hollywood studios are doing. The problem is: Lina has the most awful voice! She works as a silent film star, but in public, the studio keeps her from talking at all costs!

On the way to one of his studio parties, Don meets Kathy (Reynolds), who doesn't fall for his tricks, and promptly puts the great star in his place. Then, unfortunately for her, their paths cross again at the party, where she is one of the hired dancers for entertainment.

Don can't stop thinking about Kathy, which is probably because she was the first girl not to fall for any of his lines, as his friend Cosmo (O'Connor) told him. When they accidentally meet again, he doesn't waste any time letting her know how he feels, and their romance begins. But Lina is still a problem. Not only is her voice horrendous, but she also seems to think that she and Don should be together.

This is the greatest American musical ever made! I think this one and The Sound of Music are definitely tied for my favorite musical of all time.

Summer Stock, 1950

(Originally posted: March 9, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Eddie Bracken-- Gene Kelly

Director: Charles Walters

Choreography: Nick Castle

Stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven

Jane (Garland) has to deal with getting the crops in and taking care of her family's farm all by herself because her sister Abigail (DeHaven) has left for school. But Abigail is scheduled to return and when she does, Jane is sure she will help out. Instead, Abigail brings all her friends with her- to use the barn to put on a great production. Jane is upset, especially when she meets Joe (Kelly), the director, and they don't get along. But they workout a deal so that Joe and the rest will work on the farm every morning to earn their keep.

But when Abigail and the male lead decide to leave for a better job in New York, Joe convinces Jane to take on the female lead, so they don't have to return all the money from the ticket sales.

Sorry, Fred, but Gene is my favorite dancer! Fred was suave and elegant; Gene was athletic and powerful. And both were BRILLIANT, with all capitals. I guess Gene was better looking, anyway, and that may be part of the reason.

Hello, Dolly! 1969

Director: Gene Kelly

Choreographer: Michael Kidd

Stars: Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford

With a director like Gene Kelly and a choreographer like (my favorite) Michael Kidd, how can you go wrong?)

I'm ending my month of musicals with one of the very, very best.

Matchmaker and widow Dolly Levi (Streisand) has set her sights on Horace Vandergelder (Matthau), and it's quite an adventure, how she wins his heart. And while Vandergelder's gone to New York to woo a different woman, his employees Cornelius (Crawford) and Barnaby ditch their store duties and escape to New York for some adventure, and they won't come home until they've each kissed a girl. Well, when you make that vow, something great is bound to happen, right?

My favorite part is the dancing waiters in the Harmonia Gardens restaurant, and when they dance with Dolly and sing "Hello, Dolly". And "Sunday Clothes" runs a close second. Wonderful movie!

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, 1967

repost (original post: May 17, 2011)

Director: David Swift

Choreographer: Bob Fosse

Stars: Robert Morse, Michele Lee, Rudy Vallee

James Pierpont Finch (Robert Morse), a window washer, begins reading a book that will forever change his life- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Soon he is lying and deceiving his way to the top of the World Wide Wickets Corporation, in his own wonderfully entertaining style. (Don't ask what a "wicket" is- nobody knows!)

It's BRILLIANT!

A few things I love: 1. Robert Morse's goofiness. His physical comedy is just astounding- I laugh at practically everything he does. "Groundhog!" "Finch, F-I-N-C-H" (You'll see what I mean.) 2. Finch's girl's name is Rosemary (played by Michele Lee), and he even sings a song about her entitled "Rosemary", which is just SO cool! 3. There's a song entitled "A Secretary is Not a Toy". Enough said. 4. The dancing. Wow, the choreography in the "Brotherhood of Man" number at the end literally makes me laugh OUT LOUD! I've probably said "hilarious" several times already, but it's just so true! (Okay, so maybe I didn't say "hilarious" several times. It deserves it, though.)

The list doesn't end there, but I'll stop. There's too much to love in this "feel-good" musical comedy!

The Sound of Music, 1965

Director: Robert Wise

Choreographer: Marc Breaux

Stars: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian

Novice nun Maria (Andrews) is sent to the home of retired Navy Captain Von Trapp (Plummer) to be the governess of his seven children. When his wife died many years ago, the Captain stopped singing and didn't let his children sing either, because it only reminded him of her. But Maria can't help but sing, and she soon brings healing to this family with "the sound of music".

Wow, could I have possibly been cheesier? But anyway, there's more to the story: the Captain has to deal with growing feelings for Maria, as his fiance comes to visit; as well as being forced to join the navy again in the coming war. As a kid I didn't get what was going on, and why the story ends with the family crossing the mountains. But of course now I get it- he was escaping from the Germans/crazy Austrians. It's not exactly as happy as you think it is when you're a kid. But at least they all lived.

My favorite musical. Ever. I think. I know, I say that about every single one of them, pretty much. But this is it!

Bye Bye Birdie, 1963

1. Director: George Sydney

Choreography: Onna White

Stars: Ann-Margaret, Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Paul Lynde

Songwriter Albert Peterson (Van Dyke) and his fiancee Rosie (Leigh) must figure out a way to get famous teen sensation singer Conrad Birdie to sing a song written by Albert before he leaves for the Army. This will finally make Albert a success when his song becomes famous as the last song Conrad Birdie sang before he go drafted.

Rosie decides to choose a member of the Conrad Birdie fan club and give her the opportunity to kiss Conrad Birdie goodbye after his last performance. Kim McAfee (Ann-Margaret) is the lucky fan chosen, and everybody travels to her hometown for the big performance.

I can't believe it took me until this year to finally see this musical. I LOVE IT! For one thing, there's a "Rosie" in it, which is awesome! And also, everything else about it is just delightful. Ridiculous- yes. But very enjoyable.

And the outfits! I love the clothes, especially Janet Leigh's! I was inspired. I wish those dresses could come back in style.

Oklahoma! 1955

Director: Fred Zinneman

Choreography: Agnes de Mille

Stars: Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Gloria Grahame, Gene Nelson

Laurey (Jones) prepares for the evening's dance, hoping that Curly (MacRae) will ask her. Though they're crazy about each other, Curly doesn't ask, which results in Laurey saying yes to their hired hand, Jud. But Jud's a bit of a creep who's always had a thing for Laurey, so this whole thing isn't a great situation.

Meanwhile, Laurey's friend Annie (Grahame) gets all set to marry the peddler, when her old beau Will Parker (Nelson) suddenly comes home from Kansas City, all set to marry her. This makes for lots of comedy, since Annie is a bit unattractive (to everyone except Will, of course), and her father wants to get rid of her.

My favorite number: "People Will Say We're In Love", sung by Curly and Laurey. Gordon MacRae's voice and smile make me weak in the knees!

The ballet gets boring, and I fast forward, to be honest. But otherwise, I love this movie!

Guys and Dolls, 1955

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewics

Choreographer: Michael Kidd

Stars: Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons, Vivian Blaine

Nathan Detroit (Sinatra) cannot find a place to hold his illegal floating crap game, until this hopeless gambler comes across Skye Masterson (Brando), another inveterate gambler, and in order to pay for the place to have the crap game, Nathan bets Skye that he cannot take a certain doll to Havana, Cuba, for dinner. Skye is confident he can convince any doll to go with him anywhere, and he is dismayed to find that Nathan has chosen Sergeant Sarah Brown (Simmons), of the Salvation Army. In order to win, Skye must convince this "mission" doll to go to Cuba with him for dinner. (Yes, Skye is just that wealthy; he can go to another country for dinner.)

Well, if that isn't plot enough (oh, it is!), Nathan also has a doll, his finacee Adelaide (Blaine), who has put up with him for 14 years, waiting for him to finally set a date and tie the knot.

Bottom line- completely fantastic! If you love musicals, and haven't yet discovered this gem, do watch it! My high school put this on, and I was in the orchestra pit, so this one is very special to me.

White Christmas, 1954

(Re-post, Original posting: December 25, 2011)


Director: Michael Curtiz (We're No Angels, Casablanca)

Stars: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen






Bob (Crosby) and Phil (Kaye), a duo of famous entertainers who met and started their act during the war, follow their new friends Betty (Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen) to Vermont for the holidays. "Vermont must be beautiful this time of year, all that snow..."

Except there's no snow, and no guests at the lovely Inn where the girls are booked to sing. Business is bad for the owner, whom the guys discover is their company's former general, General Waverly. To help out the General, Bob and Phil decide to bring their whole show up to Vermont and rehearse everything up there.

This is a wonderful movie! It's brilliant and heart-warming! I always cry at the end. Anything referring to war always makes me cry- especially World War 2.

You'll love it.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 1954

Director: Stanley Donan

Choreographer: Michael Kidd

Stars: Jane Powell, Howard Keel, Jeff Richards

Adam Pontipee (Keel), the eldest of seven brothers, goes to town one morning and shocks his brothers by bringing home a wife, Milly (Powell). Milly didn't know there would actually be seven men to care for, but she adjusts to her new life and teaches her 6 brothers-in-law manners, how to treat women, and -most importantly-dancing! These skills they will need if they are going to impress the lovely ladies they meet at the barn-raising.

But the 6 girls the brothers have fallen for each have a "feller" courting them. So the boys take matters into their own hands, and Adam helps them kidnap their women from town. On the way back, they cause the pass to close over with an avalanche, and there will be no going back and forth until spring. If only they'd remembered to kidnap the parson, as well!

Well, that's pretty much the whole story. This is my favorite musical of all time! These songs are the best- and 7 handsome backwoodsmen- what more could you want?

:)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953

(Original post: July 20,2011)

Director: Howard Hawks

Stars: Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn, Elliot Reid

"I can be smart when it's important. But most men don't like it."

Best friends Lorelai (Monroe) and Dorothy (Russell) set sail for Europe, which was supposed to be a wedding trip for Lorelai and her rich fiance, who was forced to stay in New York by his meddling rich father. Unbeknownst to Lorelai, her fiance's father has hired an investigator to follow her and make sure she stays away from the men on the ship. But Lorelai is a faithful, though a man-magnet (did I mention she's played by Marilyn Monroe?). One of the detectives, Malone (Reid), begins to romance Dorothy, but when the girls discover who he really is, he will have a tough time convincing Dorothy it wasn't all an act.

Featuring the song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend", guaranteed to get stuck in your head. Actually, the the other one they sing about being girls from Little Rock is the one that gets stuck in my head whenever I watch it. I LOVE this musical. Marilyn is SO funny!!!! Such a cute comedy, and there is a musical sequence with the men's Olympic team doing all kinds of gymnastic stuff. Yeah!

That was sort of a joke.

Singin' in the Rain, 1952

Director: Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly

Choreographer:

Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse

Silent film star Don Lockwood (Kelly) and his on-screen partner Lina Lamont (Hagen) need to start making the transition to "talking pictures" like all the other Hollywood studios are doing. The problem is: Lina has the most awful voice! She works as a silent film star, but in public, the studio keeps her from talking at all costs!

On the way to one of his studio parties, Don meets Kathy (Reynolds), who doesn't fall for his tricks, and promptly puts the great star in his place. Then, unfortunately for her, their paths cross again at the party, where she is one of the hired dancers for entertainment.

Don can't stop thinking about Kathy, which is probably because she was the first girl not to fall for any of his lines, as his friend Cosmo (O'Connor) told him. When they accidentally meet again, he doesn't waste any time letting her know how he feels, and their romance begins. But Lina is still a problem. Not only is her voice horrendous, but she also seems to think that she and Don should be together.

This is the greatest American musical ever made! I think this one and The Sound of Music are definitely tied for my favorite musical of all time.

An American in Paris, 1951

Director: Vincente Minelli

Choreographer: Gene Kelly

Stars: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant

Good stuff. This is one of those musicals that I put in and half-watch. I know my favorite parts and musical sequences and for the rest of it, I kinda--well, write movie reviews and think of other things. I love Gene, but this one does get boring, and I admit it. Especially during the 20 minute ballet at the end. I'm not kidding.

Still--Oh, to have danced with Gene!!

Jerry Mulligan (Kelly) is an ex-GI living in Paris, enjoying the beautiful city and painting it all in his own way. When a wealthy woman buys one of his paintings, he attends a party with her, where he catches sight of Lise (Caron), and falls for her. But wooing her isn't as easy as he had hoped, especially after he finds out she is engaged.

FACT: Leslie Caron was actually discovered by Gene Kelly, and it was for this role.

Summer Stock, 1950

Director: Charles Walters

Choreography: Nick Castle

Stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven

Jane (Garland) has to deal with getting the crops in and taking care of her family's farm all by herself because her sister Abigail (DeHaven) has left for school. But Abigail is scheduled to return and when she does, Jane is sure she will help out. Instead, Abigail brings all her friends with her- to use the barn to put on a great production. Jane is upset, especially when she meets Joe (Kelly), the director, and they don't get along. But they workout a deal so that Joe and the rest will work on the farm every morning to earn their keep.

But when Abigail and the male lead decide to leave for a better job in New York, Joe convinces Jane to take on the female lead, so they don't have to return all the money from the ticket sales.

Sorry, Fred, but Gene is my favorite dancer! Fred was suave and elegant; Gene was athletic and powerful. And both were BRILLIANT, with all capitals. I guess Gene was better looking, anyway, and that may be part of the reason.

On the Town, 1949

This week, it's pretty much about Gene Kelly.....

Director: Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly

Choreographer: I think this might be Gene Kelly, but neither Wikipedia nor Imdb are clear....

Stars: Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller, Vera-Ellen, Jules Munshin

Gabey (Kelly), Chip (Sinatra), and Ozzie (Munshin) are three sailors on 24 hours leave in New York, so they hit the town. When Gabey sees a poster of a "Miss Turnstiles" (Vera-Ellen) in the subway, he thinks she's famous, and then seeing her right there in person, he falls for her quickly. So the guys' plan to see the town and meet girls becomes a reality as they hop in a cab driven by Hildy (Garrett)- who turns out to only have eyes for Chip- and head to a museum, where they run into anthropologist Claire (Miller), who falls for Ozzie, her very own prehistoric man. All the while they're searching for Ivy - that's Miss Turnstiles' real name.

But Ivy isn't famous, and of course, she feels awful for deceiving Gabey. But he continues to look for her, even after she runs away again! And who would have thought that a sailor on leave in New York would find romance with a small town girl- from HIS own small town, even!

Only in New York....or rather, Hollywood. This musical is notable because it was filmed in both Hollywood and New York on location, and apparently "on-location" wasn't done back then. Or perhaps not very often. But Gene Kelly insisted.

I absolutely adore the dresses! Check out Hildy's dress on the roof when she and Frank Sinatra are singing "You're Awful". And the green and plaid dress Ann Miller wears during "Prehistoric Man". Wow! So cool!

Shall We Dance, 1937

Director: Mark Sandrich

Choreographer: Hermes Pan

Stars: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore,

Pete Peters (Astaire), otherwise known as the great "Petrov", in the ballet world, lays eyes on dancer Linda Keene (Rogers), and falls in love. He hops aboard her ship to America, and trouble begins when rumors fly that the great Petrov has married the dancer Linda Keene. Now, Linda can't stand him.

When they reach New York, they are booked into the same hotel, quite accidentally, and they eventually figure that the best way to avoid scandal is to actually get married. This way, they can get a divorce right away and go their separate ways.

This one includes "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" (and a dance on roller skates to go with it!), and "They All Laughed". This is my favorite of all the Fred and Ginger films. It's such a sweet story!

March is for Musicals!

For the month of March, it's all musicals! From "Swing Time" to "Hello, Dolly!"-- but only my favorites are included, of course.

We've got Fred annoying and wooing Ginger; Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra on 24 hours leave in New York; Donald O'Connor makes 'em laugh, Gene sings in the rain; Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell hop a ship to Europe; Julie Andrews undertakes a captain with 7 children; Rex Harrison teaches Audrey Hepburn how to speak; Howard Keel and his 6 [handsome] backwoodsmen brothers find themselves 7 brides; Deborah Kerr finds romance with a King in Siam; Salvation Army Seargent Jean Simmons finds she has chemistry with gambler Marlon Brando; Judy Garland and Gene Kelly put on a play in her family's barn; the neighbors think Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones are in love; and oh, so much more!

I've included in their information the name of the choreographer or stager. As I was researching the musicals to put them in order of year, I noticed I actually do have a favorite choreographer: Michael Kidd. Closely followed by Gene Kelly.

Don't musicals just make you happy? Well, they make ME happy, anyway.

Get ready to have a lot of songs stuck in your head!!

"Diamonds are a girl's best friend....." (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)

"Bless your beautiful hide, wherever you may be....." (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers")

"Wouldn't it be loverly?" (My Fair Lady)

Two Thousand Twelve

Happy New Year!!

My 2012 New Year's resolution is to watch more movies and write more reviews!

Well, it's sort of a real resolution.

If you are a regular reader (Rebekah!) or just happen to come upon my site, here's what you have to look forward to in 2012:

--March is the month of musicals! March will include:

*An American in Paris *Singin' in the Rain *Seven Brides for Seven Brothers *On the Town *Guys and Dolls *Shall We Dance *Swing Time *My Fair Lady *Summer Stock *The Sound of Music *Oklahoma *The King and I *Hello, Dolly!

and more! Should be a fun month for me, especially. I'm sure I'll be singing a lot in March.


My favorite director, Alfred Hitchcock, died on April 29, 1980. So the month of April will be dedicated to Hitch, The Master of Suspense!! Movies to include:

*Saboteur *To Catch a Thief *Vertigo *Torn Curtain *North by Northwest *The Thirty-Nine Steps *Rich and Strange *Notorious *Lifeboat *Shadow of a Doubt *I Confess *Dial 'M' for Murder *Rope *Easy Virtue (sounds interesting...!) *The Trouble With Harry *The Man Who Knew Too Much *Rebecca *Rear Window *Marnie *Strangers on a Train

I might even try to watch "Spellbound" with Gregory Peck. I mean, it stars Peck; not that I would watch it with him. Unfortunately.

More random ones include:

The Swiss Family Robinson *The Parent Trap *17 Again *Sabrina *Roman Holiday *Ever After *Secondhand Lions *Music and Lyrics *The Wedding Singer *13 Going on 30 * The Blues Brothers

Many more movies to come, though I don't know about any more theme months or weeks. Those are always fun, so I'll try to come up with more of those ideas. Maybe....

-A week of Jane Austen? (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Emma, Mansfield Park)
-Star Wars (only the classics!)
-Lord of the Rings
-Disney classics (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, The Lion King, etc.)
-The 80's (Romancing the Stone, Look Who's Talking, The Princess Bride, Overboard, etc.)

Some films may be repeats from last year (example: I already reviewed a few Hitchcock films, and I will re-post them in April), but I promise never to re-post an awful film. Those don't even deserve one post.

Grease, 1978

Director: Randal Kleiser

Stars: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Jeff Conaway, Stockard Channing

'Grease' is the word, it's the word that you heard.....

I swear my sister and I have seen this movie 50 times! We used to watch it so much! I haven't seen it in years and didn't actually know how dirty it was until now. I never got those jokes/lines before! Oops.

Danny (Travolta) and Sandy (Newton-John) meet over the summer at the beach, and then say goodbye, thinking that they won't see each other again, since Sandy's family is going back to Australia. But Sandy ends up staying, and then they find out they attend the same school. But Danny has a reputation to protect, so he's a jerk to her at first. And everyone sings and dances and races cars. It's really great.

You have to see Grease at least once!

The Music Man, 1962

Director: Morton DaCosta (Auntie Mame, Island of Love)

Written by: Meredith Wilson

Stars: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Ron Howard (as "Ronny Howard")

"He's a music man!"

"He's a what--he's a what?"

"He's a music man! And he sells trombones and clarinets to the kids in the town...."

That's a wee bit of the first tune in the film. I love some of the sequences in this movie/story. The first scene takes place inside a train car, with several travelling salesmen talking- and singing, of course- about the legendary con-man "Professor" Harold Hill, who travels around selling instruments and band uniforms to the boys in town, and then skips out before teaching them how to play their instruments, since he "doesn't know one note from another", as one of the salesmen declaims.

I've seen it on the stage, and I have to say that that first scene is my favorite. It's amazing the way it comes to life, especially on stage. They're in a train car! Just watch the beginning, and you will see what I mean.

So that's basically the story. Harold Hill (Preston) was on that train in the beginning, and he hops off at the next stop- River City, to the surprise of the other salesmen, because they were declaring he was too smart to stop there, in that little conservative town.

But stop he does, and proceeds to convince the people of the good town that they need a boy's band to give their boys something to do besides playing pool. (Oh no! Not pool!) And, in the middle of all this, there's the single music teacher and librarian, Marion (Jones), who sees through him, but eventually, they like each other.

Songs include:

-"The Wells Fargo Wagon" (in which Ron Howard has quite a solo- he was so cute!!),

-"Til There Was You" (yes, that one- it came from here),

-"Trouble" (very funny- and very adaptable to real life. I quite often somebody or something is "trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool". All the time),

-"Shipoopi" (which makes me hate Buddy Hackett. I think you either like his voice or hate it- he plays the seagull in The Little Mermaid, among other roles. Anyway, I kinda hate it.)

-"Seventy-Six Trombones" (which very easily gets stuck in my head),

-"Marion" (which takes place in the library, where Hill is professing his love to Marion, who isn't convinced-- this one is my second favorite of all the sequences).

Note: I get so bored in this movie, though! I mean, it is so entertaining, but holy cow! It's so long! Two hours and 45 minutes! But if you like musicals, you must see it at least once.

NOTE: I checked out the director, and surprisingly he only directed 3 movies. Literally! This one and the ones I listed next to his name above. Considering how everyone knows The Music Man (at least has heard of it), that surprises me.