Movie musicals, you gotta love ’em. Or hate ’em, depending on your mood. All the sappy ballads, the over-the-top production numbers, the cheesy storylines. Back in the day, they served as an escape mechanism for audiences wanting to forget their troubles, at least for a few hours.
Of course, these days we’ve got MTV. With its short, highly conceptual music videos, the music cabler paved the way for a new style of singin’ and dancin’–a style that has shaped the modern movie musical today. A prime example is Showtime’s upcoming original movie Reefer Madness, a musical lampoon of the controversial 1938 anti-marijuana film. With an all-star cast that includes Alan Cumming, Neve Campbell and Kristen Bell, Reefer Madness premieres April 16 at 8:00 pm EST.
In the meantime, we’ve highlighted 10 of our toe-tappin’ favorite musicals, whether they’re conventional or not.
10. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
The libretto: This rockin’ musical is the retelling of Jesus’ last seven days re-enacted by a group of young, free-spirited tourists amid the modern-day war machines that patrol Israel today. The film stars a cast of virtual unknowns, including Ted Neely as Jesus, Carl Anderson as Judas, and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene.
Why it carries a tune: This is when composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was still cool, before he gave into grand theatrics and gave us Cats and Phantom of the Opera (yawn). Beautifully framed by director Norman Jewison, Superstar took “opera” to a whole new level, introducing rock as a viable form for a musical. And it’s a good thing, too, because with the hip cast and powerful music, not to mention a pretty serious premise, it jams.
Sing it with me!: “I don’t know how to love him/I don’t know why he moves me/He’s a man, he’s just a man/And I’ve had so many men before, in very many ways, he’s just one more.”
9. The Lion King (1994)
The libretto: Who can forget this classic Shakespearean tale? This is the heroic coming-of-age story of Simba, the young lion son of King Mufasa and heir to Pride Rock. But Mufasa’s evil brother, Scar, schemes to do away with the king and Simba so that he can assume the throne for his own tyrannical purposes. He succeeds in killing Mufasa and makes Simba think it was his fault. Simba runs away but eventually returns as a grown lion to defeat Scar and take his rightful place as king. Along with the help of a meerkat and wart hog, of course. Oh, and a whacked-out baboon with a stick.
Why it carries a tune: If you have to pick one of the animated Disney musicals of the last 20 years or so, The Lion King has to be the one that stands out the most. Composed by Elton John, songs such as “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” are forever but happily etched in our repertoire.
Sing it with me!:“Hakuna matata, what a wonderful phrase/Hakuna matata, ain’t no passing craze/ It means no worries for the rest of your days/It’s our problem free…philosophy!”
8. Cabaret (1972)
The libretto: Set in the 1931 Berlin hotspot Kit Kat Klub, a starry-eyed singer (Liza Minnelli) and the club’s master of ceremonies (Joel Grey) try to bring a little happiness and a lot of decadence to the lives of Berliners as the specter of Nazism grows around them and threatens to destroy their lives.
Why it carries a tune: Vat ve need here is a little German expressionism, no? Ya! Under the expert guidance of director-choreographer Bob Fosse, Cabaret, which earned eight Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Minnelli, was a fresh burst of the avant-garde for its time, with some sobering pre-World War II politics thrown in for good measure.
Sing it with me!: “Life is a cabaret ol’ chum/So come to the Cabaret.”
7. Grease (1978)
The libretto: Good girl Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and bad boy Danny (John Travolta) hook up on a summer holiday. But when Sandy ends up attending his alma mater, Rydell High, her sugary sweet ways throws Danny’s reputation as the leader of the T-Birds into question, even though he is hopelessly devoted to her. Good thing the Pink Ladies are there to help little ole Sandy out. With a proper “makeover,” Sandy is guaranteed to get her man.
Why it carries a tune: Oh, c’mon, what can be more fun than singing “Summer Nights” or “Greased Lightning” at the top of your lungs? This is the quintessential summer movie musical you can watch over and over again.
Sing it with me!: “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee/Lousy with virginity/Won’t go to bed ’til I’m legally wed/I can’t, I’m Sandra Dee.”
6. All That Jazz (1979)
The libretto: Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider) is a hedonistic workaholic who knocks back a daily dose of amphetamines to juggle a new Broadway production while editing his new movie. Not to mention keeping an ex-wife, a steady girlfriend, a young daughter, and various other conquests all happy. Joe cannot, however, avoid his own mortality as his heart starts to give out and forces him to take a look back at his life.
Why it carries a tune: Want some more Fosse? You bet! As a sort of swansong, the director-choreographer, who was arguably one of the best in his field, decided to examine his own life in a semi-autobiographical explosion of music and dance. It includes top-notch performances by Scheider, Ann Reinking and Erzsebet Foldi, as Gideon’s daughter.
Sing it with me!: “It’s show time, folks!”
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5. Chicago
The libretto: Vengeful women, infamous murders, scandalous headlines–the stuff of legends. Set in 1930s Chicago, the musical focuses on two notorious song-and-dance gals–Velma (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Roxie (Renee Zellweger)–who have offed their respective lovers for nefarious reasons. Awaiting trial, the two hire corrupt lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), who tap dances his way around the courtroom. But two women stop at nothing to outdo each other in their obsessive pursuit of fame and celebrity.
Why it carries a tune: OK, so the late Fosse didn’t actually direct this movie based on his hit Broadway show, but had he still been alive, he surely would have. Director Rob Marshall takes the reins instead and expertly crafts this movie musical into a Best Picture winner. But the big surprise is the Oscar-winning performance from Zeta-Jones. Who knew those long luscious legs could move like that?
Sing it with me!: “C’mon Babe, why don’t we paint the town/And all that Jazz/I’m gonna rouge my knees and role my stockings down/And all Jazz/Start the car I know a whoopie spot/Where the gin is cold and the pianos hot/It’s just a noisy hall, where there’s a nightly brawl/And all. That. Jazz.”
4. West Side Story (1961)
The libretto: Ah, the inner turmoil of New York City’s ghetto life is the perfect setting for a modern day Romeo and Juliet. This time we have a Polish teen named Tony (Richard Beymer), who is from one gang, the Jets. He falls for a Puerto Rican girl named Maria (Natalie Wood), whose brother is from a rival gang, the Sharks. No one wants them to be together, bad things happen, people die–but even with great sacrifices, love has a way of conquering all differences.
Why it carries a tune: This Oscar-winner from choreographer Jerome Robbins and director Robert Wise is definitely one of the classics. Can’t say what we like better in the movie: The cool, finger-snappin’, knees bent, jump-in-the-air dance moves or the sweet ballads about joining hands and hearts, knowing that somewhere out there is a place for them. [sniffle, sniffle]
Sing it with me!: “Maria/I just met a girl named Maria/And suddenly that name/Will never be the same/To me!”
3. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The libretto: We all know the tale. A young Kansas farm girl named Dorothy (Judy Garland) dreams of a better world “somewhere over the rainbow.” When Dorothy is thrust into the eye of a tornado and lands in the fantasy world of Oz, she soon finds herself in a heap of trouble with three hapless misfits–a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion–to guide her. Plus there’s a Wicked Witch at her heels. All she wants to go is go home, because there is no other place like it. No other place at all.
Why it carries a tune: As we get down to the wire on the list, it seems the old school musicals are starting to take the lead. And nothing is more enduring than Oz. We all remember it as children, singing with the Munchkins, hoping the Scarecrow finds a brain (’cause he’s our favorite, too), frolicking down the Yellow Brick Road– and hiding behind our hands when the witch or her icky flying monkeys were in view. It still remains a timeless classic to this day.
Sing it with me!: “Weeeeeeeee’re off to see the Wizard!/The wonderful Wizard of Oz!/You’ll find he is a whiz of a Wiz!/If ever a Wiz! there was/If ever oh ever a Wiz! there was/The Wizard of Oz is one because/Because, because, because, because, because/Because of the wonderful things he does!”
2. The Sound of Music (1965)
The libretto: The sweetly klutzy Maria (Julie Andrews), who wants to be a nun but isn’t very good at it, leaves the convent to “find herself.” She becomes a governess to the seven children of a wealthy Austrian widower (Christopher Plummer), who has grown into a cold disciplinarian. Soon, though, and with a lot of singing and coaxing, she opens the children to the wonders of life and the joy of music–and eventually softens the heart of their father and gains his love, even as the evils of war creep into their happy domain.
Why it carries a tune: Oh my, can it get anymore sappy than that? Absolutely not–and that is precisely why we thoroughly adore this classic. There are too many Music songs we can can’t get out of our heads–“Do-Ri-Me”, “You Are 16, Going on 17,” “My Favorite Things.” But one thing is for certain: If I ever make it to the Austrian Alps, I’m for sure going to run through the meadows singing this…”
Sing it with me!: “The hills are alive with the sound of music/With songs they have sung for a thousand years/The hills fill my heart with the sound of music/My heart wants to sing every song it hears.”
1. Singin’ in the Rain
The libretto: In 1927, dashing actor Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and blonde bombshell Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are one of Hollywood’s favorite romantic silent film teams, though Lina mistakenly believes that their on-screen love is for real. Don and his less-famous partner Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) have worked their way to the top the hard way, through vaudeville, stunt work and such. So, when “talkies” arrive, Don is ready. Lina, however, is not. Her shrill voice makes a mockery of the musical they are working on. In pops aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), who saves the film by dubbing Lina’s voice, but Don is in trouble when he starts to fall in love with her. And gets all wet, singin’ and dancin’ in the rain because of it.
Why it carries a tune: Hands down, this movie musical is the most fun, the most entertaining with the best song-and-dance numbers of all time. From “Make ‘Em Laugh” to “Good Morning!,” this timeless standard can play on cable three times a week and we’d still watch it. At least, our favorite parts.
Sing it with me!: “I’m singin’ in the rain/Just singin’ in the rain/What a glorious feeling/I’m hap-happy again/ I’m laughing at clouds/So dark up above/The sun’s in my heart/And I’m ready for love.”
