Must See Movies Part One-Musicals!

Well ladies and gentleman . . . . a few months ago some friends asked me to make up a list of black and white movies that are worth watching even today. I have finally come up with lists and summaries of my favourite classic movies. The largest list is black and white classics, but I also put in some older colour classics and musicals that I believe are worth seeing as well. I tried to pick most of these movies from the sixties or before. Some of you probably will disagree with some of my choices, that is fine. Others will notice that certain movies, such as 12 Angry Men, aren't present in my list. I chose movies that I can watch, and have, time and time again. 12 Angry Men isn't one of those movies, sorry Mom. I chose movies that no matter how many times I have seen them I still laugh or cry. These are my must see musical flicks . . . .

Musicals

Singing in the Rain
Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds
Gene Kelly is a famous silent film actor ready to make his big break into sound movies. Unfortunately, his usual costar in movies has a voice like nails on a chalkboard, not kidding at all. But thanks to the help of his trusty best friend and sidekick, Donald O' Connor, he finds a dub over replacement in Debbie Reynolds. This movie has some of the best musical numbers and comedy ever created in the golden age of musicals. On the AFI and Imdb lists it is number one for musicals. Make em laugh baby!

Oklahoma

Oh the sounds of the Earth are like music! One of my favourites. . . I have seen both the movie and the stage play. Cowboy Curly loves stubborn headed farmer Laurie but can't seem to get up the courage to ask her to the next dance in town. Unfortunately, her shady field hand, Jud, beats Curly to it and then all kinds of comedy, great dancing and drama happen based around the stubborn lovers. Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones also appear in Carousel further down on my list.

The Music Man

This is one of those movies that is just good fun to watch. You have Robert Preston playing a sleezy traveling salesman, whom you actually come to love, as he swindles a town out of their money by promising a boys band. Buddy Hackett plays his great sidekick, and young Ron Howard plays the little boy whose unconditional faith in Preston's character turns him around, not to mention his hot sister, Shirley Jones. Trust me, the dances and music are top notch!

Carousel

Ahhhh, one of the best stories and the saddest story ever. Brilliant! The scene opens with Billy, Gordan MacRae, in heaven cleaning stars. Someone comes up to him and says he has a chance to go back and visit his loved ones, cause they're in trouble, but he has to tell his story of how he ended up dying and leaving them first. He is rough around the edges, but soon you discover he really did love his wife Julie and wants to truly help his daughter Louise. At the same time, he blames himself for their situation. 'If I Loved You' is one of the best songs ever written and will give you goosebumps everytime you hear it. I cannot recommend this one enough!

Calamity Jane

Loosely based on the story of the actual Calamity Jane, Jane Canary, this is a great classic musical with Doris Day at her comical best and Howard Keel as Wild Bill Hicock. There are plenty of great numbers such as 'A Woman's Touch', 'My Secret Love' and my personal favourite, 'I Could Do Without You!'

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Another one with Howard Keel . . . lets just say I had a crush on him and probably always will. He plays Adam, eldest brother of seven young men living alone up in the mountains. Once he convinces Jane Powell to be his wife thing change for these scruffy wild young men. First she cleans them up, then she teaches them manners. Unfortunately the men of the town don't like the competition when it comes to the single women in the town. I think, that this has one of the best dance numbers EVER as the town men try to outdo the brothers at a barn dance.

Show Boat

Kathryn Grayson plays the naive daughter of a show boat owner who falls in love with a slick gambler. Luckily for her, a guardian angel in the form of Ava Gardner helps her through the ups and downs of loving a gambler. Great classic songs such as, 'Can't Help Loving that Man of Mine' and 'Make Believe'

Meet Me in St. Louis

Classic story of a turn of the century family as they and all of St. Louis get ready for the World's Fair. Judy Garland is gorgeous and timeless as she tries to woo the boy next door. Her younger sibling, Tootie, is hilarious as she tries not to be treated like a small fragile little girl. Great music, 'The Trolley Song' and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' make this a classic.

White Christmas

This is probably one of the few show musicals, musicals whose stories are based around a show, that I actually like. Two showmen, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, who met while serving in WW2 try to save their commanding officer's ski resort by throwing a show right at Christmas. The only problem, no snow. How can they have a white Christmas without snow? There is a great number where Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby dress in drag . . . not kidding at all!

Silk Stockings

Fred Astaire plays a showman who is trying to put together a movie about Napoleon in Paris with music written by a famous Russian composer. Only problem, Russia wants their composer back. They send the beautiful, but VERY strict, Cyd Charisse to fetch their wayward artist. But what happens when she starts to realise that a capitalistic life isn't all that bad, especially if Fred Astaire is going to be in that life?

Brigadoon

Out in the highlands, the highlands of Scotland . . . legend has it that a town called Brigadoon only appears for one day out of every 100 years. Fortunately for Gene Kelly and Van Johnson, two hunters from New York, they stumble upon the town on one of those very rare days. Not realising the town's unique history, the men are confused by the daily life and chores of the people and charmed, or at least Gene Kelly is, by the beautiful Scottish beauty Fiona, played by the late and great Cyd Charisse. When the two dance together you see why she was nicknamed, 'Best Legs in Hollywood' I wanted to be like her when I grew up because she was just so beautiful and graceful.


Guys and Dolls

Fun musical with Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando, and yes he actually sings very well. They play two gangsters with women problems, police problems and conscience problems as well. Great numbers such as 'Luck Be a Lady Tonight' and 'I Got a Horse Right Here'. This one actually is more of a guys musical if ever there was one.