By Amanda (‘I Love Oliver!’) Hallay
I don’t like movie musicals. I was sort of brought up on them, and so I naturally shy away from things with Gene Kelly and/or Fred Astaire. In saying that, there are a handful of movie musicals which I absolutely, truly love. Not only are they my favourite musicals, but they’re up there with my all-time favourite films. To save you the time and trouble of looking up the proper info on these movies, I’m giving you the ‘need-to-know’ essentials on each.
Any of ‘em your favourites, too?
“Cabaret” (1972)
Stars:Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Joel Grey.
Gist:An English teacher and a cabaret singer team up to take Weimar Berlin by storm. Based on Christopher Isherwood’s novels.
Why It’s Good:Brilliant design based on German New Objectivity paintings, great performances, brilliant songs, and lots of ‘divine decadence’.
Best Song:“Mein Herr.”
Iconic Moment:Liza Minnelli in fishnet stockings and bowler hat doing odd things with a chair.
“…Life is a Cabaret, old chum! So come to the Cabaret!…”
“Oliver!” (1968)
Stars:KIU friend Mark Lester (our idol), Oliver Reed, Jack Wilde, Ron Moody.
Gist:Musical retelling of child abuse classic.
Why It’s Good:Because it’s…The Greatest Movie Ever Made!
Best Song:Oh, all of them! But particularly “Who Will Buy “and “Consider Yourself.”
Iconic Moment:“Please sir, can I have some more?”
“…Rich gentlemen have it boys – In-Di-Gestion!…”
“Camelot” (1962)
Stars:Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave.
Gist:Hip retelling of Arthurian legend with emphasis on love plot.
Why It’s Good:Beautiful to look at and truly, truly heart-wrenching.
Best Song:“How To Handle a Woman.”
Iconic Moment:When King Arthur (Richard Harris) is about to die on the battlefield and he knights the little boy.
“…Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot…”
“Hair” (1979)
Stars:Treat Williams, Beverly d’Angelo, John Savage.
Gist:Tribal hippies in New York City try to save their friend from ‘Nam.
Why It’s Good:Colourful, joyful and thought-provoking. Also very groovy.
Best Song:“I Got Life”
Iconic Moment:When Treat Williams dances on the table in the posh people’s house.
“..This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, the Age of Aquarius…”
“My Fair Lady” (1964)
Stars:Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn
Gist:‘Enry ‘Iggins teaches cockney Liza how to talk ‘lyke a lydie’ in Edwardian epic.
Why It’s Good:Fabulous performances by protagonists. Also: Good hats.
Best Song:“Let a Woman in Your Life.”
Iconic Moment:“Come on, Rover! Move yer bleedin’ ARSE!’
“…Lots of chocolate for me to eat – Lots of coal makin’ lots of heat…”
“West Side Story” (1962)
Stars:Natalie Wood and some guy with massive teeth.
Gist:Romeo and Juliet go ‘beat’ in Sondheim/Bernstein classic of inter-racial teen tensions.
Why It’s Good:Cuz it’s cooooooooooool, daddy-o.
Best Song:“Tonight” (and – okay – “I Want To Be In America”.)
Iconic Moment:Bit when Shark girls are dancing around and making their skirts go all fluffy.
“…When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way…”
“Evita” (1995)
Stars:Madonna and Antonio Banderas.
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A GOOD MOVIE!
(I just like it cuz Antonio’s in it.)
Gist:Operatic take on life of Argentine dictator (and KIU role model) Eva Peron.
Why It’s Good:It’s not really, but it has great music – and Antonio Banderas.
Best Song:“High Flying, Adored”
Iconic Moment:Any bits with Antonio Banderas.
“…Oh, what a circus – Oh, what a show…”
“Oliver” (1968)
I know I’ve already done it, but I just want to remind you that “Oliver!” is... The Greatest Movie Ever Made!
“On A Clear Day You Can See Forever” (1968)
Stars:Barbra Striesand, Yves Montand.
Gist:Highly unpopular movie finds psychiatrist Yves Montant regressing kookie New Yorker (Babs Striesand) to past life as Regency lady.
Why It’s Good:Weird concept, but kind of charming. Great Empire style gowns. Fab performance from La Babs.
Best Song:“What Did I Have That I Don’t Have?”
Iconic Moment:When Regency Barbara dances with 20th century shrink on table at Royal Pavilion in Brighton. (NOTE: I seem to be fond of scenes which have people dancing on tables. See: “Hair.”)
“…And on a clear day – on that clear day – you can see forever, and ever, and ever more…”
“Goodbye, Mr Chips” (1969)
Stars:Petula Clark, Peter O’Toole.
Gist:Fuddy-duddy teacher blossoms into human being thanks to love of a good woman.
Why It’s Good:Truly lovely Leslie Bricusse score, and with Pet and Peter, how wrong can you go?
Best Song:“You and I”
Iconic Moment: When Mr Chipps learns that Pet has been blitzed. (Note: Could cry just thinking about it.)
“…Schooldays, so they tell us, are the most sublime of our lives…”
“Thoroughly Modern Millie” (1967)
Stars:Julie Andrews, James Fox, Mary Tyler Moore.
Gist:Totally daft comedy pays homage to 1920s flappers. Includes white slave trade.
Why It’s Good:Genuinely funny, fabulous costumes, and winning performance from our Julie.
Best Song:“Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Iconic Moment:Opening credits, when dowdy Millie hits the big city and transforms herself into a femme fatale.
“…It’s not insanity says Vanity Fair
In fact, it’s stylish, to raise your skirts and bob your hair!…”
“The Sound of Music” (1965)
Stars:Here she is again, Julie Andrews, and – of course – Christopher Plummer.
Gist:Novice nun and a de Sade-esque father raise family of singing children and stand up to the Nazis in song.
Why It’s Good:I really don’t know why “The Sound of Music” is good – it just so is!
Best Song:“Edelweiss.”
Iconic Moment:When children appear wearing clothes made out of curtains in front of de Sade dad and posh girlfriend.
“…Brown paper packages tied up with strings…”
“Chicago” (2003)
Stars:Renee Zelwegger, Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta Jones.
Gist:Dunno.
Why It’s Good:Dunno. Everyone just says it is.
Best Song:“All That Jazz”
Iconic Moment:Dunno.
Okay! I haven’t seen “Chicago” yet – but I’m gonna – and I’ve got a feeling it just might make it to this list!I’ll let you know.
