# Best Movie Musical Numbers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649 "2001-07-24T18:12:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/41 "2001-07-26T02:35:57Z")
I only saw one clip of the Nicholas Brothers (from one of the “That’s Entertainment” movies), but it was enough. Those guys blew me **away** with their athleticism moves. They danced like they had one chance to show what they could do and did it. As for other movie musicals – and may I praise the posters who mentioned **South Park**? I’m not a fan of the show, but I caught the movie in my hotel during a business trip, and I was shocked at what I saw. Not just the, ahem, humor, but it was actually witty! It’s scored for a full orchestra. Some of the songs have faint echos of Mel Brook’s “Springtime for Hitler.” Trust me on this one, folks. If you love movie musicals, you have got to give this a try, if only to hear the music. The dancing wasn’t so hot, however. Anyway, other nominations: 1. “Every Sperm Is Sacred,” from “Monty Python’s Meaning of Life.” Michael Palin sings of the joys of the Catholic Church’s birth-control theology in an outtake from what appears to be “Oliver.” Hands down, best use of backyard outhouses in a musical. 2. The opening number in “Moulin Rouge” is a new favorite, for Nicole Kidmon and its inventive use of a line from “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” And another nomination for “The Show Must Go On,” which gives me chills but, inexplicably, cannot be found on the movie soundtrack (it’s only the pivitol sing for the film’s third act, after all.) 3. “Toucha Toucha Toucha Touch Me,” from Rocky Horror Picture Show. Susan Sarandon getting off was an early erotic moment at the movies for me, or is that TMI? (I won’t insult you by suggesting the other numbers are any good. It’s a great musical, if you don’t count the direction, photograpy and choreography.) 4. “Everybody Ought To Have A Maid,” from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” Saw it as a child on TV, and only later realized just who I was watching: Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, even Buster Keaton. I just thought they were a bunch of funny old guys (and a few babes in sheets). The movie looked so neat because it **wasn’t** shot on a sound stage. Looked like authentic Roman sites. 5. Can’t remember the number, but in “A Hard Day’s Night,” when the Fab Four escape the studio for a romp in the field. Can only be appreciated when you haven’t had 30 years of video watching behind you. So fresh, so young they were. 6. Donald O’Connor’s “Make 'Em Laugh” in “Singing in the Rain.” Beautiful shakey-legs performance. I’d jump on the couch pretending I was him. (Appropro of nothing, I remember watching Gregory Himes performing on PBS, and he did a beautiful cross-over move, launching himself sideways, swinging one leg over the other and landing on that foot. I had a whole semester of jazz tap and stage dance behind me, so I tried it, and discovered why they call it a groin muscle. I landed, and **groined** for a long, long time.) (Can you be banned for hijacking your own message?) 1. And finally, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire at the end of “That’s Entertainment II,” if only to remind us that they never got a chance to pair off at their prime. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/42 "2001-07-26T09:16:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*pesch says: \*5. Can’t remember the number, but in “A Hard Day’s Night,” when the Fab Four escape the studio for a romp in the field. Can only be appreciated when you haven’t had 30 years of video watching behind you. So fresh, so young they were. The number was “Can’t Buy Me Love” and I agree–it is the highlight of the film. > [@](#): > > 1. And finally, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire at the end of “That’s Entertainment II,” if only to remind us that they never got a chance to pair off at their prime. Actually, I would say 1946 was in their prime, since they were together in “The Babbit and the Bromide” number in _Ziegfeld Follies_ ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/43 "2001-07-26T11:22:49Z")
Another Rocky Horror Picture Show number… **Sweet Tranvestite** ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/44 "2001-07-26T13:12:39Z")
Lots of good stuff already, both new and old. If I may add to the list I submit “Brotherhood of Man” from _How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying._ ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/45 "2001-07-26T13:44:44Z")
Soem great numbers here! Here’s one I’ll bet no one but me has seen: the Duncan sisters doing their act (“Following You,” “It Must Be an Old Spanish Custom” and a parody of “Tell me, Pretty Maiden”) in “It’s a Great Life” (1929). It was wisely filmed in front of a live audience, which was unusual: the Duncans really played up to the audience, and you could SEE why they were such big vaudeville stars. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/46 "2001-07-26T14:14:57Z")
“Let’s Do It”, from _Tank Girl_. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Deiket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Deiket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deiket)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/47 "2001-07-26T14:23:50Z")
This’ll be long, and most of you have already put down my choices, but they are all very dear to me… and I’m glad I’m not the only one with songs from Moulin Rouge… “Once a Year Day” from the Pajama Game (I was in the Pajama Game…) Also from that show “I’m Not at All in Love”. “It Might as Well Be Spring” from State Fair - My Glee Club performed music from the movies at our last concert. Most of my songs are from that… “Somewhere” from West Side Story - Concert “Under the Sea” from the Little Mermaid - concert (and a cappella, no less) “Stand By Me” - Stand By Me - LOVED the movie… “Time Warp” from RHPS “If I Loved You” from Carousel “Shall We Dance” from the King and I ANYthing from Cabaret… ANYthing from Kiss Me, Kate. “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”, “The Show Must go On”, and “Like A Virgin” from Moulin Rouge And the songs from My Best Friend’s Wedding. I think that’s enough for now. ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/48 "2001-07-26T23:44:32Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by ArchiveGuy \* \*\* > [@](#): > > Actually, I would say 1946 was in their prime, since they were together in “The Babbit and the Bromide” number in _Ziegfeld Follies_ \*\* Hmmm, a Google check shows me you are right AG, and it’s called the best part of the movie. I stand corrected. It wouldn’t be a pesch post without a correction. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/49 "2001-07-27T00:15:26Z")
_William Tell Overture_ from “A Clockwork Orange.” ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/50 "2001-07-27T01:15:36Z")
May I add one? “Do Re Mi” from The Sound of Music. I like the kids tearing around the Austrian countryside in their curtain-clothes, especially when the bik ride is choreographed so the particular Von Trapps who are singing on any measure ride to the front of the pack. And “My Favorite Things,” despite being shot in just one room without any fancy costumes, is so exhilarating!! ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/51 "2001-07-27T01:17:05Z")
The “Bohemian Rhapsody” scene from _Wayne’s World_ ---
**Author:** ![exchicagoan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/0ea827/32.png) [@exchicagoan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/exchicagoan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/52 "2001-07-27T04:03:03Z")
ALL the really GREAT one have already been mentioned but I’ll throw in the performer with THE unique dance style. ----------------CAGNEY------------------ dancing/singing YANKEE DOODLE! Just lays me out every time! ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/53 "2001-07-27T04:20:36Z")
I consider animated musical numbers to be in a seperate category from live action, so I have two lists. For the sake of variety, I limited myself to one number from each movie. Animated 1. “When She Loved Me” from _Toy Story 2_ 2. “Gaston” from _Beauty and the Beast_ 3. “Part of Your World” from _The Little Mermaid_ 4. “Uncle Fucka” from _South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut_ 5. “Once Upon a Dream” from _Sleeping Beauty_ Live Action 1. “Pick Yourself Up” from _Swing Time_ 2. “I’m Easy” from _Nashville_ 3. “Springtime for Hitler” from _The Producers_ 4. “Barn Raising” from _Seven Brides for Seven Brothers_ 5. “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from _Guys and Dolls_ 6. “I Enjoy Being a Girl” from _Flower Drum Song_ 7. “I Remember it Well” from _Gigi_ 8. “76 Trombones” from _The Music Man_ (first version) 9. “If I Only Had a (heart, brain, courage)” from _The Wizard of Oz_ 10. The tango scene from _Scent of a Woman_ ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/54 "2001-07-27T04:45:04Z")
A lot of my favorites have already been mentioned, but I’ll add a few: Keenan Wynn and James Whitmore performing “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” in _Kiss Me, Kate_. Judy Garland (I can’t believe nobody’s mentioned her yet) I don’t specify because EVERYTHING she did is outstanding. (although the Born in a Trunk" number from \* A Star is Born\* is a fave, as is “Over the Rainbow” from you-know-what) “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” from _Gypsy_. Rosalind Russell’s manic stage mother focusing her insanity on her neglected daughter Rose after the favorite daughter, June, has flown the coop. “The Age of Aquarius” from _Hair_Twyla Tharp’s choreography reveals the sheer joy of being young and alive “Somebody Super Like You” from _Phantom of the Paradise_ 70’s crypto-homo rock played on a set inspired by German Expressionism “Are You Watching Me Now/Evergreen” performed by Barbra Steisand in her version of _A Star Is Born_ “Molasses to Rum to Slaves” from _1776_ a kick-ass tune and history lesson on the Triangle Trade Tina Turner’s flaming version of “Acid Queen” from _Tommy_. Ken Russell at his campiest. “This is Halloween” from _The Nightmare Before Christmas_ One of my favorite combos of animation and music. “Wise Up” from _Magnolia_. A poignantly musical moment from a non-musical movie Pops Staples singing “Papa Legba” from \* True Stories\*. He sings Talking Heads better than they do themselves. “Hymn for a Sunday Evening” from \* Bye Bye Birdie\* Gotta love Paul Lynde in an era when Ed Sullivan ruled the airwaves ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/55 "2001-07-27T06:01:02Z")
Elton John’s “Pinball Wizard”, from Tommy. Did it in one take. ---
**Author:** ![SteveinSpain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@SteveinSpain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveinSpain)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/56 "2001-07-27T12:11:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by goboy \* > \*_A Pops Staples singing “Papa Legba” from \* True Stories_. > He sings Talking Heads better than they do themselves. > > \*\* I agree with Goboy. The Staple Singers did an incredible version of the Talking Heads’ “Slippery People”. Speaking of the Talking Heads, I like their concert movie “Stop Making Sense”. As far as best movie musical numbers I vote the Big Lebowski scene “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)”. ---
**Author:** ![Kate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f04885/32.png) [@Kate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kate)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/57 "2001-07-27T12:38:03Z")
Thank goodness SOMEONE remembered Gigi (Number Six), it’s one of my favorites. In fact, you’ve forgotten MOST of my favs (I’ll skip those already mentioned): An American In Paris - everything, especially “By Strauss.” Gigi - “Gigi,” “The Parisians,” “It’s a Bore” Showboat - Oh, all of it. I want Howard Keel naked IMMEDIATELY (well, maybe 40 years ago). Calamity Jane - “Just Blew In From The Windy City” More generally, just about everything by Howard Keel and Gene Kelly. Oh, and I have to throw in “Gaston” from “Beauty and the Beast.” That cracks me up every time. /Kate ---
**Author:** ![caircair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@caircair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caircair)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/58 "2001-07-27T15:40:12Z")
Just thought of another one. Neil Diamond singing “Comin’ to America” at the end of The Jazz Singer. Not the greatest movie, but that bit is fantastic! (And having seen him perform live, more than once, it’s a great taste of what one of his concerts is like.) ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2001, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/59 "2001-07-28T08:26:44Z")
Basically, everything I like has been mentioned here, with one exception: “It’s Easy, MMMMKay” in South Park. When the chorus consists of construction-paper kids, the choreography consists of them shuttling side to side and jiggling a bit. I about died laughing. ---
**Author:** ![serack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@serack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/serack)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2001, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649/60 "2001-07-28T16:57:00Z")
Lucky in Love - Good News It perfectly sets up every little plot in the movie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-musical-numbers/73649.md?page=4)