# SDMB Musical Lovers' Salon and Debating Society **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 23, 2004, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785 "2004-06-23T12:12:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/1 "2004-06-23T12:12:21Z")
There seems to be some interest in starting a film group for us lovers of movie musicals. Here’s the idea: We’ll take turns picking a movie musical for the group to watch, and announce the title and the date of the start of the discussion (three weeks seems to be doable for people) in this thread. Everyone then scurries off and finds a copy of the movie and watches it. On the appointed date, the person who chose the film will start a thread and kick off the discussion with a brief plot summary/song-and-dance highlights list and a couple of comments or criticisms about the movie. Everyone can then chime in and post to the thread, well, the way we always post. In order to pick a film, you have to state your intention to be a member of the group. If you want to watch the films, and even post, without joining, you’d obviously be welcome to – the only significance of declaring membership is to get in the queue of movie pickers. We will pick in the order of joining, and the lovely and talented **ThatDuckIsEvil** will be the official keeper of the list. (Thanks for volunteering!) As I read the other thread, the current membership is: **twickster supervenusfreak Maureen TheDuckIsEvil cervaise amarinth** Just to keep some momentum going, I suggest the on-deck picker announce his or her pick for the next film around the same time as the discussion starts on the previous film. Note: Your pick is your pick, and you don’t have to justify it (though a couple of words about why you chose it would probably be interesting). Go for a classic – go for a personal fave that’s a bit on the obscure side – go for something you know sucks but might provide an opportunity for some quality snarkiness – whatever. And with that, let me announce the first pick: **Neptune’s Daughter** 1949 Esther Williams, Red Skelton, Keenan Wynn, Betty Garrett, Ricardo Montalban, Mel Blanc The cast list provides an idea of the delights in store. The song highlight is _Baby, It’s Cold Outside_. I picked it because it’s a personal fave that I’m guessing not everyone has seen a billion times. Discussion will commence Wednesday, July 14th. ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/2 "2004-06-23T16:44:19Z")
Can I join? I know I’m rather a nerd but HEY! I can bring pizza! Besides I have nothing better to do all summer and my housemate is going nutz because I haven’t seen so many movies… so I might as well drive him even more crazy by watching OLD movies! hahahaha 'Sides I already have a copy of Kiss Me Kate… from my Cole Porter phase a couple years ago 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JayElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@JayElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayElle)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/3 "2004-06-23T17:35:21Z")
I wish I could join, but I am 99% sure that my local video doesn’t carry **Neptune’s Daughter**. Darn it! And I have access to **My Fair Lady** , **Gigi** , **On the Town** , **Singing in the Rain** , **There’s No Business Like Show Business** , etc., etc. Ah well - I’ll just chime in on the titles I know something about! ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/4 "2004-06-23T17:40:27Z")
I’d like to join. I’ve been giving the Musical a lot of thought lately, in context with other “escapist” genres like Westerns. Where do I send my check? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/5 "2004-06-23T18:16:12Z")
> [@JayElle](#): > > I wish I could join, but I am 99% sure that my local video doesn’t carry **Neptune’s Daughter**. Darn it! And I have access to **My Fair Lady** , **Gigi** , **On the Town** , **Singing in the Rain** , **There’s No Business Like Show Business** , etc., etc. > > Ah well - I’ll just chime in on the titles I know something about! Dang, **JayElle** – we did talk about the availability thing a little bit, but the folks out in the serious boonies seemed to think that Netflix would solve that problem. You might want to check out some places other than Blockbuster; my usual store is Hollywood Video, a chain outlet but one with about three times as many movies in stock as the local Blockbuster (plus they don’t re-edit the films to suit their own persnicketyness). Also, sometimes indie stores in big cities (such as the one you live in?) have better selections. Or check your local library – the copy of **Umbrellas of Cherbourg** that I mentioned in the other thread came from the neighborhood branch of the city library. Or, as you say – you can just chime in on the movies you can get hold of. ---
**Author:** ![JayElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@JayElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayElle)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/6 "2004-06-23T19:13:24Z")
Good ideas, **twickster**! I’ll ask the local young’uns about the indie shops. Until then, I won’t commit to membership, but I’ll be eagerly reading the threads. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/7 "2004-06-23T19:32:51Z")
Go for the obscure, why not? Luckily, both greater Seattle area library systems have multiple copies (which is strange enough on its own - why 6 copies of this movie? Even more strangely, many of them are checked out. Who on earth is checking out Esther Williams movies?) - so I’ll be getting one soon. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/8 "2004-06-23T19:41:12Z")
I’mhereI’mhereI’mhere!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen **Neptune’s Daughter**. Looking forward to it, tho. As **Krisfer the Cat** has already gobbled up my favorite choice _pouts_, and because **Twickster** wants some of the lesser known films, I’ll take _Daddy Long Legs_ with Astaire and Leslie Caron. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/9 "2004-06-23T20:13:07Z")
I’m going to officially register as the **Club Lurker**. Why? Because I know me, I’ll never coordinate things so I can see the movies in time, it’ll get all bollixed up. But I dig the idea, and wish to have access to the inevitable t-shirt given out to members only. I’ll provide fresh baked goods and free-range non-abused hand-dried unmangled herbal teas, served in lead-free porcelain mugs whose clay was dug up by workers paid a living wage with full medical benefits and boots and gloves provided by their employer. 😛 Cartooniverse, who has a faaaaaaaaabulous Esther Williams story to share but my computer battery is almost dead and I dare not start what I can not finish. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/10 "2004-06-23T21:22:02Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Cartooniverse, who has a faaaaaaaaabulous Esther Williams story to share but my computer battery is almost dead and I dare not start what I can not finish. Oh, do tell! And **Krisfer, Maureen** – it’s not your turn to start picking yet. The next person to pick will be **supervenusfreak**. (See above for The Official Rules.) Behave, you two! ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/11 "2004-06-23T23:54:24Z")
Hell, I’ll join. Like **lissener** , I’ve been considering the musical’s place in film history for a while. Like the Western, it allows the audience to project their fantasies onto the film. However, I believe that as an escapist genre that also mirrors the collective mores and psyche of the times, it outstrips the Western, which is often given to being more reflective of the personal idiosyncracies of the director rather than of the audience’s expectations. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/12 "2004-06-24T00:42:58Z")
Am ordering it from Netflix asap twickster. Can’t wait to see it. Am rolling around a few ideas here myself for the next pic. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/13 "2004-06-24T00:46:24Z")
LOL spoke too soon. It isnt available from Netflix. Will call around and find a copy though. Is it out on DVD yet? ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/14 "2004-06-24T00:59:53Z")
> [@Ilsa\_Lund](#): > > Hell, I’ll join. Like **lissener** , I’ve been considering the musical’s place in film history for a while. Like the Western, it allows the audience to project their fantasies onto the film. However, I believe that as an escapist genre that also mirrors the collective mores and psyche of the times, it outstrips the Western, which is often given to being more reflective of the personal idiosyncracies of the director rather than of the audience’s expectations. Yeah, what he said. And there’s catchy tunes, too!! 😃 I’m sorry, **Twick** , I’ll be patient. It’s only one more til my turn. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/15 "2004-06-24T01:03:00Z")
Count me in. I’ll probably need a reminder (a thread bump) before 7/14, though. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/16 "2004-06-24T02:19:15Z")
Yeah, **Cervaise** , I’ll probably bump a couple of times as necessary – if only to try to recruit more fans. **supervenusfreak** – dunno about DVD, I’m planning to watch my own copy, which is VHS. If you and **jayjay** want to venture into the big city, we could probably work out a movie night. (No shit? Netflix doesn’t have?) And **Ilsa** – you’re obviously going to provide an interesting perspective to our discussion. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/17 "2004-06-24T02:28:07Z")
[Video Library](http://www.vlibrary.com/) seems to have a copy on VHS you can rent by mail. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/18 "2004-06-24T02:32:35Z")
Ooohhh, okay. 😃 On the corner of 10th avenue and 54th street is Sony Music Studios. Before that, it was The Camera Mart Stages. But, for many decades before _that_, it was the Fox/Movietone Stages. Story has it that the main stage ( which for many years was the largest sound stage in NYC ) was in fact a hollow floored stage. Underneath it was a huge swimming pool, used to shoot some Esther Williams water ballet numbers. When the pool was “filled”, it was filled with wrecked autos to stop the sound from reverberating as much. Then, the flooring was built onto a frame and finished. There were- and, I saw these myself when I worked on some Billy Joel music videos in the early 1980’s- signs clearly stating the weight limit of cranes that could be driven onto the studio floor. Story has it that someone ignored that sign, used a crane during a shoot and the crane cracked the flooring, reavealing a long-forgotten truth. When I first heard the story, I thought it was absolute bullshit. Until I dropped a sandbag from a scaffolding, down about 25 feet onto the floor. I heard the thud. That floor is without doubt hollow. So, I’m figuring that Esther Williams really did swim around in the Fox/Movietone stage at one time. Kinda neat. Got to spend endless hours working on that stage. It ranks up there with the much-beloved and much-missed **Mothers Film Stages** that used to be on the east side, just off 4th Avenue. They shot the Honeymooners there… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/19 "2004-06-24T02:39:48Z")
Not that I would ever _dream_ of calling into question the slightest of your utterances, sir – but why would they use scrap cars to deaden sound? Wouldn’t they be very metallic and echo-y and, um, not sound-deadening? ---
**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 24, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785/20 "2004-06-24T02:54:21Z")
I’m in. I’m 3rd in line at the library for **Neptune’s Daughter**. Looks like the Seattle chapter has been gearing up. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-musical-lovers-salon-and-debating-society/251785.md?page=2)