In the 1940s and '50's, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) made some of the best dancing musicals ever filmed. And now, Criterion is streaming nine of these pictures. I've added two movies, making eleven. Most musicals are fantasies. Without instruments and choreography, real people don't just burst into song and dance. But there are also realistic … Continue reading Leonard Bernstein & the MGM musical
Category: musicals
The return of musicals
Two or three years ago, I read about a film history professor who screened Singin' in the Rain to his students. They laughed at the wrong places. The students thought it was ridiculous that people would break into song and dance. A generation weaned on superhero movies had little or no experience with movie musicals. … Continue reading The return of musicals
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
B+ Musical comedy Written by Tom MacRae & Dan Gillespie Sells Jonathan Butterell Have you noticed that with Hamilton, In the Heights, The Prom (unfortunately overlooked), and Spielberg's upcoming remake of West Side Story, musicals seem to be a thing, again. Now we've got another one, this time from Britain, and if it's no masterpiece, … Continue reading Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
In the Heights & in the theaters – along with reserved seats
Saturday night, my wife and I went to the Cerrito Theater to see In the Heights. It was more than just a really good movie on the big screen. It was the first time in 16 months I sat in a good-sized theater with a good-sized audience. That meant a lot. No more masking tape … Continue reading In the Heights & in the theaters – along with reserved seats
My thoughts on A Star is Born (1954)
Last Friday night, my wife and I watched the 1954 version of A Star is Born - the one starring Judy Garland and James Mason. Aside from being almost perfect, this film catches Hollywood at an important moment in film history. The film industry was experiencing its biggest changes since the talkie revolution. And you … Continue reading My thoughts on A Star is Born (1954)
New Thoughts on Fiddler on the Roof
How do Jews spend Christmas afternoon? This year, my wife and I attended the New Parkway's annual screening of Fiddler on the Roof. It was my third experience with the film (although my first at the Parkway), and it gets better every time. When I first saw the last of the big Hollywood roadshows, at … Continue reading New Thoughts on Fiddler on the Roof
Renée Zellweger brings Judy to life
B+ Biographical drama Written by Tom Edge, from the the stage play End of the Rainbow Directed by Rupert Goold Yes, Renée Zellweger gives an incredible performance as Judy Garland. She looks like her. She acts like her. She even, I think, sings like her. She almost completely disappears into the character. Only occasionally, and … Continue reading Renée Zellweger brings Judy to life
The Miracle of the Fiddler on Broadway & Elsewhere
A- Showbiz documentary Directed by Max Lewcowicz The documentary Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles argues that 1964's Broadway sensation, Fiddler on the Roof, is more than just a musical. It suggests that, by following three sisters who chose their own husbands rather than accepting their father's choices, it's a feminist play well ahead of its time. … Continue reading The Miracle of the Fiddler on Broadway & Elsewhere
The Tech in the Birth of Four Stars
Hollywood has now made four films called A Star is Born, all of which followed the same basic story of love, substance abuse, one star rising while the other falls, and inevitable tragedy. But each of the films, except the most recent one, has been a trailblazer in cinema technology. 1937 version, starring Janet Gaynor … Continue reading The Tech in the Birth of Four Stars
Gotta Dance: Gene Kelly at the Stanford
For some time now, I've been hoping that some local rep house would do a series on MGM musicals from the 40s and 50s. They could call the series The Lion Dances. For the next four weeks, we have something close. Starting this Friday, the Stanford will run what they're calling the Gene Kelly Film … Continue reading Gotta Dance: Gene Kelly at the Stanford
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