What's your favourite musical film?

[Reno]

The American Film Institute have now released their list of the greatest (American) movie musicals.

Unsurprisingly, Singin' in the Rain was number one. 7 of the top 8 are on this poll.

PDF list of top 25 greatest (American) musicals (according to the AFI)

I'd happily swap half of those films for Funny Face, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Hedwig & the Angry Inch.

 

[Maltin]

I'd happily swap half of those films for Funny Face, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Hedwig & the Angry Inch.

I've only seen 14 of the 25 (I should see more - I'm sure I've got at least 6 others on video/DVD). I don't see that Chicago or Moulin Rouge! belong there but other than that, I'm not surprised by the others.

The films you list were on the Original ballot.

 

[electrogirl]

I regret missing off King and I, I saw it again the other day and realised how much I loved it.

As for the AFI link, bit random that Beauty on the Beast is on there

 

[CyberRose]

No Labyrinth?!

 

[Reno]

I've only seen 14 of the 25 (I should see more - I'm sure I've got at least 6 others on video/DVD). I don't see that Chicago or Moulin Rouge! belong there but other than that, I'm not surprised by the others.

The films you list were on the Original ballot.

I suppose I shouldn't gripe, it's a decent enough list, but some films seem to just end up there automatically every time. I never liked My Fair Lady for instance. It's a flatly lit, ugly looking film and Audrey Hepburn is miscast. I much prefer her in Funny Face where she gets to sing in her own voice. Sure it's message might be daft but as a film it's so much more alive and fun.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes always flies under everybody's radar, but staying true to the spirit of Anita Loos' novel, it's very funny, has great songs, features Marylin Monroe and Jane Russell at their most breathtakingly gorgeous and is directed by Howard Hawks who brings as much insight female friendship as he does to his many more films about male friendship.

Hedwig is the one truly great rock musical with a great score and a breathtaking central perfomance by Cameron Mitchell.

 

[Maltin]

I regret missing off King and I, I saw it again the other day and realised how much I loved it.

As for the AFI link, bit random that Beauty on the Beast is on there

It's a long time since I saw The King and I. Again, I've got it on tape to rewatch it now that I am older and should appreciate it more.

Saw Anna and the King recently and enjoyed that.

I'm not surprised that Beauty and the Beast is on there.

I think it's an excellent film, with beautiful animation (especially the ballroom sequence) and has some wonderful songs. I guess it is a bit strange to see it beat other classic Disney films but Beauty and the Beast was made in the style of a Broadway show (and obviously moved there), whereas I suspect that with the classics they were animation first and foremost and added some excellent and memorable songs.

I love* Angela Lansbury.

*well maybe not love, but she was a bit of a cutie.

 

[Maltin]

I suppose I shouldn't gripe, it's a decent enough list, but some films seem to just end up there automatically every time. I never liked My Fair Lady for instance. It's a flatly lit, ugly looking film and Audrey Hepburn is miscast. I much prefer her in Funny Face where she gets to sing in her own voice. Sure it's message might be daft but as a film it's so much more alive and fun.

I've not seen Funny Face but love My Fair Lady and voted for it on the poll.

I think it is alive and fun and can watch it countless times.

I think Henry, Eliza, Colonel Pickering, Alfred, Freddie, Mrs Higgins et al are superb characters.

I think the songs are great, even with Rex Harrison's strange singing voice:

On the Street Where You Live
Why Can't the English
Wouldn't It Be Loverly
Get Me to the Church on Time
I've Grown Accustomed to her Face
Show Me
With a Little Bit of Luck
I Could Have Danced All Night
Just You Wait
Rain in Spain

I think I know what you mean by it being a bit flat and ugly looking (although don't agree), but as with all great films it's supported by an excellent story, unlike a lot of movie musicals.

I suppose Audrey Hepburn was a bit miscast but I think she does an excellent job.

Julie Andrews did OK after being overlooked.

 

[Chz]

One more vote for RHPS. Though I did watch South Park five times in a row while particularly drunk and it's been seared into my mind forever...

 

[gsv]

One more vote for RHPS. Though I did watch South Park five times in a row while particularly drunk and it's been seared into my mind forever...

Was it your first time!!??!
You lucky lucky Chz!


GS(v)

 

[Madusa]

Sweet Charity! Amazing Sammy Davis Junior scene. All round class muso!

 

[beeboo]

Cabaret for me, although it is a bit of a cheat musical because all the musical numbers are on the stage - no-one bursts into song in the middle of a conversation.

 

[Madusa]

yeah, cabaret is good as well...i love the 3some song.

 

[nuffsaid]

Why do people always forget The Blues Brothers.

I hate musicals, but the Blues Brothers is actually a good enough film to help me gloss over the silly singy bits.

Musicals are embarrassing.

 

[CharlieAddict]

musical film - dancer in the dark (nothing bad happens in musicals).

 

[*Miss Daisy*]

I am not really into musicals,,

but Rocky Horror Picture Show is frigging ace
as Mr Nine Bob Note has suggested already!

I'd love to come across a mad house like that!!! Oh the fun i could have,,,

*skuttles off rubbing me knees*

 

[Reno]

(nothing bad happens in musicals).

Ever seen Cabaret (the rise of Facism), All That Jazz (musical about a heart attack), Carmen Jones & West Side Story (both end with a murders), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (botched sex change surgery), Love or Leave Me (about an abusive relationship) ?

 

[beeboo]

yeah, cabaret is good as well...i love the 3some song.

Annoyingly, I find 'Tomorrow Belongs to Me' really catchy, and end up singing it for days every time I see the film. Which isn't very appropriate

It's a really well executed bit of the film though - I love the way it becomes increasingly sinister as the song progresses.

I really like 'Mein Herr' as well.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]