My Favorite Movie Musicals

With the Tony Awards coming up in just a couple of months, I thought I’d start a new series of posts about musicals to gear up for the awards ceremony. You may have seen me mention in the past my love of musical theater. I performed some as a kid in school and camp, but never anything serious. I have always had a love of Broadway and show tunes and wanted to share some of my favorites on film.

A while back I was having a discussion across multiple social media platforms about what are some of people’s favorite movie musicals. I thought I’d compile a listing of my collection of movie adaptations of musicals that I own on DVD and Blu Ray to start. To try to keep this list from being never-ending, I will exclude things like Disney animated films, and focus on the more traditional incarnations of movie musical and shows.

1776 – This 70s classic about the founding of America, and specifically the writing of the Declaration of Independence, was a staple in school history class for me. Favorite songs: But, Mr. Adams and Sit Down, John

1776
1776

Annie – I have both the 1982 Aileen Quinn version I grew up with, and the 1999 Disney/ABC remake of the story of the lovable orphan. Favorite songs: Maybe, It’s A Hard Knock Life, and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

Anne - 1982
Anne – 1982
Annie - 1999
Annie – 1999

Chicago – The 2002 film about murderesses during the Jazz Age has some seriously catchy tunes. I especially enjoy Queen Latifah as Mama Morton. Favorite songs: Cell Block Tango, All That Jazz, and Razzle Dazzle

Chicago
Chicago

Grease – This is 1978 classic first entered my life in second grade when the fifth graders at my elementary school performed We Go Together at the school concert. I have seen this movie literally dozens upon dozens of times. You may say I’m hopelessly devoted to it. Favorite songs: We Go Together, Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee, Summer Nights, and You’re the One That I Want

Grease
Grease

Les Miserables – I was first intrigued by the 2012 version when I heard about how the singing was being recorded for this film on set with music as opposed to in a studio. Throw in Hugh Jackman, and Samantha Barks and her amazing performance and I was sold, despite Russell Crowe’s singing. Favorite songs: Master of the House and On My Own

Les Miserables
Les Miserables

Mamma Mia! – Gorgeous setting in the Greek Isles, Christine Baranski, and ABBA? This was a no brainer for me. I remember laughing incessantly the first time I saw this musical, and on subsequent viewings with friends and family, despite Pierce Brosnan’s singing. Favorite songs: Dancing Queen, Chiquitita, and Take A Chance On Me

Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia

Moulin Rouge! – This tale of love in turn of the 19th into 20th century Paris was not adapted from an existing stage show before being made into a movie musical. I will say that I hesitated to include it because it doesn’t consist of original songs, but rather regurgitates (albeit in often very unique ways) familiar songs with a twist. Favorite songs: Elephant Love Medley, Complainte de la Butte, and Sparkling Diamonds

Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge

The Music Man – Although I’ve seen and enjoy the Matthew Broderick version of this musical, I tend to favor the original Robert Preston film from 1962 with Shirley Jones, despite the song Shipoopi existing. Favorite songs: Lida Rose, Marian the Librarian, and Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little

The Music Man
The Music Man

My Fair Lady – I remember seeing a high school performance of this while in middle school and falling in love with it before I saw the film. Then I fell deeper in love with Audrey Hepburn’s charming portrayal of Eliza Doolittle. Favorite songs: Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, I Could Have Danced All Night, and On the Street Where You Live

My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady

Newsies – Despite my friends Traci and Carrie professing their love for this movie musical throughout middle and high school, I am ashamed to say I didn’t actually see this movie until about three and a half years ago when our friends at the Disney Film Project Podcast covered it in one of their episodes. This is an instance of the film as the predecessor to the hit Broadway musical, but I’m including it. Favorite songs: Carrying the Banner, Seize the Day, and King of New York

Newsies
Newsies

The Phantom of the Opera – Quite possibly the quintessential example of musical theater, this classic from Andrew Lloyd Webber was made into a rather enjoyable film adaptation. Emmy Rossum stars and shines brightly, despite Gerard Butler’s tendency to overly growl through his songs. Favorite songs: Think of Me, All I Ask of You, and Masquerade

The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera

The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Even though I was admittedly introduced to this too early at the age of 12, it remains a favorite musical of mine and a cult classic for 40 years now. Second Tim Curry appearance on the list. 😉 Favorite songs: Dammit Janet, The Time Warp, and Sweet Transvestite

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Singin’ in the Rain – What can I say? They just don’t make stars like Gene Kelly anymore it seems. He was a triple threat who could sing, act, and dance, but still be masculine and a great romantic lead. This story of the transition from silent films to talkies is definitely towards the top of my list of the best of the best movie musicals. Favorite songs: Singin’ in the Rain, Good Morning, and Make ‘Em Laugh

Singin in the Rain
Singin in the Rain

The Sound of Music – I don’t know if there’s a way to improve on this musical, other than maybe make the Baroness Elsa Schrader less scheming, but it’s fun to hate her. Julie Andrews is practically perfect in every way. 😉 Favorite songs: Sixteen Going on Seventeen, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss, So Long, Farewell, and Something Good

The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music

West Side Story – Remake Romeo and Juliet and set it in the early 1960s on the West Side of New York and you’ve got the Jets vs. the Sharks instead of the Montagues and Capulets. The musical is no less tragic, but beautiful with moments of levity. Favorite songs: Tonight, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere, and America

West Side Story
West Side Story

White Christmas – I remember singing along to so many of these songs on repeat viewings even well outside the regular Christmas season. Favorite songs: Sisters, The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing, Snow, Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me, and Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep

White Christmas
White Christmas

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory – Although the tunnel scene used to scare the living daylights out of me, I will gladly stop and watch this movie musical almost any time I find it on tv. Favorite songs: The Candy Man Can, Cheer Up, Charlie, I’ve Got a Golden Ticket, and I Want It Now

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

The Wizard of Oz – From what is arguably the best year in film history, this 1939 classic musical even spawned one of the most interesting sci-fi films in my collection (Zardoz – see this film if for nothing else than Sean Connery running around in the equivalent of a red cloth diaper and red suspenders). Favorite songs: Over the Rainbow, If I Only Had a Brain, and We’re Off to See the Wizard

The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz

 

Did I miss any of your favorite movie musicals? I know there are dozens more out there, but these are just some of my favorites that I like enough to go out and buy. I will continue my musicals series by talking about some of my favorite shows I’ve seen on stage. All images courtesy of IMDb.com.

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Cinco De Mayo at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort!

Cinco de May at Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

It’s “fiesta time” this Cinco de Mayo with an all new event at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Join the coastal resort for their first ever Cinco de Mayo Street Fiesta – a traditional street fair with Latin flare!

Taking place Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., you and your family can enjoy a stroll through the Latin party with festive sounds and smells filling the air. Feast on delicious foods such as tamales, nachos, and roasted corn or dance the night away to tunes from the strolling musicians. Join in family fun and games and enjoy a special Character appearance from Donald Duck!

Special discounted tickets are available to Disney Vacation Club Members and can be purchased through Member Services at (800) 800-9800 or through the Lobby Concierge at the resort. For more information, including ticket prices, please visit the Member Experiences section of DVCMember.com, located under the Membership Magic tab.

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