# Lovers of musicals check in here! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 21, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443 "2004-06-21T14:31:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/21 "2004-06-21T18:01:08Z")
Thanks **Twickster**! I’ll have a look at Phantom on my own, and stick to the light happy ones with the kids. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/22 "2004-06-21T18:10:39Z")
Good heavens Twixter. Wish i would have known about this last Saturday. One of my fondest recent memories is a road trip Jayjay and I took where we sang the entire score of “Gypsy”. We even car danced to “Gotta Have A Gimmick” outside of a Sheetz store. Plus I got to actually watch “Golddiggers of 1935” at work today too! Quelle coincidence. Did you know that Busby Berkley was a choreographer for “The Wizard of Oz”? On the dvd there is an extended dance sequence with Dorothy and the Scarecrow that he worked on. Jayjay and I often break out in song, badly out of tune though…lol. I have loved musicals since I can remember. I saw “The Sound of Music” when it was reissued to theaters in the early 70’s. I have several musicals on dvd and am always looking for more. I even love the odd ones and more modern ones too. “Hedwig and The Angry Inch” speaks to me in more ways than most movies ever could. As for Astaire vs Kelly I have always been much more of a Gene Kelly fan. I love his work in “An American In Paris”, “Singin’ In The Rain”, and especially “Brigadoon”. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/23 "2004-06-21T18:16:58Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > Funny this should pop up at this time…my kids have shown some interest in movie musicals lately, and it made me realize that there are lots I haven’t seen but would like to. I meant to ask for recommendations. We’ve seen the super-obvious: My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Oklahoma, etc. \*\*I got West Side Story from the library this weekend and it was a flop. I couldn’t get through it myself. \*\* Next weekend we’re getting Phantom of the Opera. Suggestions? WHAT?!?!?! That’s one of favorites. Try it again without the kids. Oliver is a great one. I’ve watched the big production numbers and the editing is nearly flawless. It’s amazing to me how those are coordinated. Here is a question for the group. Is \*\*My Best Friend’s Wedding \*\* a muscial. The actors sing throughout the film, though in Moulin Rouge style none of the songs are written for the film. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/24 "2004-06-21T18:39:42Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I’m tempted to add an Esther Williams film, like **Neptune’s Daughter** , but these may be more of an aquired tase. I absolutely agree with **twickster** ’s post - from nixing Phantom to Esther Williams (you really have to love movie musicals to make it through those. Love them a lot.)Along with that, for older musicals, I’d also add “Easter Parade” after they’ve seen “Top Hat.” And not to forget “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and I flat out loved “Oliver!” when I was young. And everyone, everyone loves “Little Shop of Horrors” (or at least Steve Martin’s “Dentist”) Astaire over Kelly. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/25 "2004-06-21T18:48:48Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > Here is a question for the group. > > Is \*\*My Best Friend’s Wedding \*\* a muscial. The actors sing throughout the film, though in Moulin Rouge style none of the songs are written for the film. No, the actors don’t sing throughout. One scene w/singing takes place in a karaoke bar, so the singing isn’t at all spontaneous. The other takes place in a restaurant and Rupert Everett, who playes Julia Roberts’ friend, starts singing a Dionne Warwick number as a joke. The lead in the movie also sings “The Way You Look Tonight,” but that’s because it was “their” song. It isn’t a musical at all. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/26 "2004-06-21T18:55:13Z")
I didn’t like it right away because it was so dark. (I’m thinking especially of the red-lit dance scene.) One of the things I like about musicals is that they’re colorful and brightly lit, at least the others I have seen! Also, I was expecting a closer parallel to Romeo and Juliet. Maybe I gave it up too soon. And last but not least, we couldn’t help but burst into laughter every time those tough gang members started up with that ominous finger snapping! Sorry **Zebra**! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/27 "2004-06-21T19:08:39Z")
> [@plnnr](#): > > In so far as Sondheim wrote the lyrics for “Candide,” “Company,” “A Little Night Music,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Sweeney Todd,” “West Side Story,” and “Gypsy,” among others, I don’t think you can put him in the same category as schlock-meister Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Sondheim’s lyrics are quite good, but he can’t write a decent melody to save his life. When he worked with other composers, he was good; when he worked on his own his lyrics got in the way of the music, leaving nothing worth listening to. Even now, even his apologists rarely play his _music_ (with a few exceptions); they sing his lyrics. The idea of a Sondheim instrumental concert is ridiculous. (With the exception of “Comedy Tonight,” “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” and “Send in the Clowns.”) Webber was only marginally better as a songwriter, but he was able to write one or two first-class songs. If I were picking my favorite movie musicals, I’d include: \*Singin’ in the Rain Chicago Moulin Rouge\* (They are both great, and neither is greatly superior to the other) _Footlight Parade Gold Diggers of 1933 42nd Street_ (I’m a great fan of Harry Warren, the most underrated composer in musical comedy history.) _Everyone Says I Love You_ (underrated, but was important in the revitalization of the musical. Woody Allen was smart enough to understand how to make a musical work, and the choice of Chicago was influenced by the same thinking). _The Music Man_ (one of the few scene-by-scene productions of a Broadway musical on film) _Cabaret_ (though the on-stage revival is better). _Kiss Me Kate Guys and Dolls_ (better than often credited, though Frank Sinatra is miscast and should have swapped parts with Brando – who was surprisingly good). _Meet Me in St. Louis West Side Story Top Hat Little Shop of Horrors Oklahoma! Yankee Doodle Dandy All That Jazz Flower Drum Song_ I prefer Astaire to Kelly. I always go with the guy who makes it look easy as opposed to the one that makes it look like so much work. Worst musicals: _Bye Bye Birdie_ Why the hell did they have to screw up the plot with that stupid turtle? _Carousel_ Appallingly dated (“Sometimes a slap feels like love” :dubious: ), and one of R&H’s worst scores. Double points off for “Soliloquy” :eek: _A Chorus Line_ When you see a high school production and realize it’s better, there’s a real problem. _Annie_ Weak material to begin with, and a poor production of it. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/28 "2004-06-21T19:14:37Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > Funny this should pop up at this time…my kids have shown some interest in movie musicals lately, and it made me realize that there are lots I haven’t seen but would like to. I meant to ask for recommendations. We’ve seen the super-obvious: My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Oklahoma, etc. I got West Side Story from the library this weekend and it was a flop. I couldn’t get through it myself. Next weekend we’re getting Phantom of the Opera. Suggestions? If you’re in the mood for something a bit silly, there’s [Robin and the Seven Hoods](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058529/combined). ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/29 "2004-06-21T21:18:49Z")
> [@supervenusfreak](#): > > Good heavens Twixter. Wish i would have known about this last Saturday. OTOH, since we know now, we can plan ahead for Central PA DopeFest II. I’m thinking the “Triplets” number from _The Band Wagon_. Dibs on Nanette Fabray – you and **jayjay** can fight it out for who’s Fred Astaire and who’s Oscar Levant. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/30 "2004-06-21T21:35:21Z")
This doesn’t really count, but there are direct-to-video productions of _Cats_, _Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat_ and (especially) _Jesus Christ Superstar_ that are quite good. There’s also a little-known, but quite good, movie version of _The Fantasticks_ from a few years back. The musicals I’d most like to see made into movies are _Les Miz_ and _Rent_, either of which I think would translate nicely. The ones I’d most like to see _re_made are _A Chorus Line_ (because the current version sucks) and _West Side Story_, (although the current version doesn’t suck). Oh, and a truly great movie musical not yet mentioned is the overperforming _South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut_ ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/31 "2004-06-21T21:58:42Z")
Astair. Chicago. I was expecting a thread on Broadway musicals, but I see that this has focused primarily on movie musicals. A few to add to the list are _Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell,_ and _Hair_. Webber was at his finest for _Superstar_. A few great moments in _Phantom_ and _Cats_, but the rest of his work is marginal at best. I think perhaps the reason he is so vilified is that he came out of the gate so strong that it was impossible for him to meet the audiences’ subsequent expectations. One could also list _Tommy_ and _The Wall_ I suppose. Technically they’re movie musicals, but not originally written for either Broadway or the movies. On preview I see that **MaxTheVool** already noted _Superstar_. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/32 "2004-06-21T22:04:34Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Worst musicals: > _Carousel_ Appallingly dated and one of R&H’s worst scores. I’ve never seen the movie (or stage version for that matter), but “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from _Carousel_ is one of the greatest songs of all time. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/33 "2004-06-22T01:00:48Z")
I have asked my hubby for season tickets to the musical theater company here in town nearly every year for almost 20 years. He must think I am kidding. Don’t forget Oliver, Annie, Grease and Camelot, for good ones for the kids to see. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/34 "2004-06-22T01:09:14Z")
And Cats. We took TeenSthrnAccent to see Cats on Broadway when he was only 6 or 7 and he loved it. One of the cats came up on to a part of the set that extended up near the seats, it was sort of on the side of the theater and all the sudden the cat was there right next to him. You could hear the kid gasp. He said it was almost as good as Merlin in Camelot that we’d seen the night before. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/35 "2004-06-22T01:17:36Z")
::twirls into thread:: _I could have danced all night! I could have danced all night! but [music falters] instead I lurked around MPSIMS wondering if **Eve** could get a good hair match…_ ::slinks out of thread:: ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/36 "2004-06-22T01:22:32Z")
> [@Algernon](#): > > On preview I see that **MaxTheVool** already noted _Superstar_. Although I prefer the more recent [direct-to-video version](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000056NX5/qid=1087867248/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-3108349-5840121?v=glance&s=dvd) to the [weird 70’s movie version](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00028HBIO/qid=1087867248/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/102-3108349-5840121?v=glance&s=dvd). ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/37 "2004-06-22T02:11:03Z")
Let’s give a shout-out to Robert Preseton, who had not one but two “role of a lifetime” roles – Howard Hill in _The Music Man_ and Toddy in _Victor/Victoria_. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/38 "2004-06-22T02:29:27Z")
I will never forget the sight of Robert Preston in a clingy dress. Incidentally, _Victor/Victoria_ was on TCM not too long ago. I walked around humming “You and Me” all day long… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/39 "2004-06-22T04:07:36Z")
good evening friends > [@](#): > > Let’s give a shout-out to Robert Preseton, who had not one but two “role of a lifetime” roles – Howard Hill in The Music Man and Toddy in Victor/Victoria. one of my fondest memories is going to see the movie **the music man** at the orpheum theater with my mom. we took the bus downtown, saw the movie and had chinese food (my first chinese restaurant. ron howard and i are the same age, so i was about 8 years old for this outing. i remember it as if it were yesterday… ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443/40 "2004-06-22T04:47:18Z")
If you want bright, colorful musicals, check out some Bollywood stuff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-of-musicals-check-in-here/251443.md?page=3)