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:
“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.
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.)
“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.)
“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.
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.
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?)
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!!
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
“When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2
“Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast
“Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid
“Uncle Fucka” from South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut
“Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping Beauty
Live Action
“Pick Yourself Up” from Swing Time
“I’m Easy” from Nashville
“Springtime for Hitler” from The Producers
“Barn Raising” from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
“Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from Guys and Dolls
“I Enjoy Being a Girl” from Flower Drum Song
“I Remember it Well” from Gigi
“76 Trombones” from The Music Man (first version)
“If I Only Had a (heart, brain, courage)” from The Wizard of Oz
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 HairTwyla 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
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.
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.)
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.
