As discussed here, we’re going to take the MLSDS in a slightly new direction. A self-appointed steering committe of Archive Guy, Lamia, and me put together a list of 24 classic musical films, which Archive Guy has further organized into four six-film “sets” based on a series of themes. He will post the full set list at once, so people can look ahead for films they might have a problem finding, and we’ll start threads at two-week intervals.
(BTW, of the four people who were “owed” picks when we took staged our coup, two ceded their choices, one expressed a choice – 1776, which has been added to The List; and one person couldn’t be found.) Lamia is letting her active membership lapse for a while (due to pressures of school), so Archive Guy and I will be writing OPs. If anyone wants to write an OP, either for a film you particularly want to talk about or for any film that comes up, pls. post in this thread. We are not trying to hog the OP glory – just take that burden off people, since not everyone likes to do it.
breaks bottle of Diet Dr Pepper over the bow of the new SDMBMLSDS
We are now going to embark on a series of films picked by a self-appointed gang (er, committee) of three. These films will be grouped into sets of four, based on theme, and we’ll start discussions at two-week intervals.
Here’s the first set (in order):
Tha Pajama Game
Dancer in the Dark
Love Me Tonight
8 Women
Gold Diggers of 1935
Cabaret
And the theme is – Headstrong Women.
The discussion of The Pajama Game will begin on Monday, May 30th – oh, wait, that’s Memorial Day. Okay, Tuesday, May 31st.
Thanks for posting, twickster. I’ll write the OP for The Pajama Game (aka the Best Musical you’ve never seen). Unfortunately, the DVD leaves something to be desired in terms of the color values (this is true, from what I understand, even about the recent “Collector’s Edition”)–not nearly as vibrant and gorgeous as it should be. Still, a terrific film, and one due for a little restorative work.
And Diet Dr. Pepper couldn’t have been more appropriate (just as a personal fave). See everybody on the 31st!
Yup, that’s pretty much it. There’ll typically be someone designated to create the thread and write the OP, but if it’s a particular favorite of yours, you can volunteer to do so.
I just want to point out that The Pajama Game is not the best musical I’ve never seen. I don’t know what is, but I did see The Pajama Game probably sometime in the past year. And I saw the Golddiggers one in the past month and a half. and Cabaret in the past 5 years, but never any of the others. Looking forward to them.
Swung by the library last night to get The Pajama Game – which I know they have, because I borrowed it about a year ago. That was out (good lord, is there another SDMBMLSDS member in NW Philly?) – but they did have 8 Women, which I’d assumed I’d have to pay money to rent. (Which I’ve also seen – in the theater, when it came out. )
Gotta start looking for Love Me Tonight. I think it would help if I’d write down the damn title, though; I was wandering around the library last night thinking “Love Me or Leave Me? No, that’s not right…”
Watched The Pajama Game last night in giddy anticipation of the discussion next week. I enjoy reading reviews and commentary after watching a movie, and with current films, the IMDb links suffice – but for older films, blah, there’s nothing. Does anyone have a favorite site about movie musicals for (current or contemporary) write-ups, reviews, etc.?
The discussion of The Pajama Game has commenced here.
Next film up is Dancer in the Dark – I’ll write an OP on that in two weeks (Wednesday, June 15th).
Bit of a warning for those who haven’t seen it – it’s rather a dark movie. Very powerful, and very, very good – but also dark. If you prefer your musicals on the frothy side, you may want to skip this one.
No experience required to participate – check out the thread once it’s started, and if you have anything to contribute, feel free to do so. Sometimes the conversation is all at the level of who liked which songs, etc. – it’s not necessarily a sophisticated critical exegesis of the postmodern subtext.
Heh. Well, there’s also the issue that I have a list of movies to see, and it’s long, and I insist on seeing them in chronological order by release date, and…I’m just a bit anal that way. But I’ll stop by when you’re discussing ones I’ve already seen (probably only a few for now, but more later), and I may even participate.
No thread-starting for me, though…I’m too much of a musical noob.
Haven’t watched it yet. Probably won’t watch it tonight. I did finally take it out of the library on Monday, though, so I’m moving in the right direction.
Gold Diggers of 1935 is unwatchable except for the brilliant “Lullabye of Broadway” number, its only redeeming feature . . . If you’re going to catch one of the early Busby Berkeleys, go for Footlight Parade, Gold Diggers of 1933 or 42nd Street . . .
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