The Amazing Technicolor Musicals

[janetcatbird]

Since we have one thread devoted to old black and whites, I figured this would keep that one from getting sidetracked.

Just saw an old Danny Kaye flick called "The Court Jester". Basil Rathbone spoofs his earlier swashbuckler roles as the villain, a young Angela Lansbury plays the bratty princess, and a Glynnis Johns (Mrs. Banks in "Mary Poppins") is one of the rebel fighters. Plot is umm, not of the utmost importance: to overthrow the usurping king and put the lgitimate infant heir on the throne Danny Kaye infiltrates the castle as the jester. Mainly the purpose for the film is the tongue twisting, silly complications.

Very light, very fun. "The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true" is a classic routine. Fun silly songs get stuck in your head, and there are some delightful moments. GLynis Johns has to ward off the amorous king, so she goes into this whole "Oh, kiss me your majesty! Just because it runs in the family doesn't mean everybody has it!" Hee hee, I quite enjoyed it.

--Catbird

ETA: Feel free to tack up notes for what people have seen, enjoyed/gagged at! I know musicals are sort of love-em-or-hate-em, post away!

[Metella]

um, yeah. My mind drifts off on musicals. Enjoy them for me.

[NikkiGreen]

Catbird, who needs plot when you can be entertained by Danny Kaye.

I've seen it quite a few times over the decades, and I, too, think its quite fun.

[blucougar57]

The Court Jester was a classic, but there are some other musicals that are pretty darned good, too, and they weren't all the famous, big budget ones. I'm thinking, specifically, of Doris Day in The Glass Bottom Boat. That was a very, very funny movie, with some great little songs, and dinner party scene at the end, with the cop and the executive snooping around after Doris (they thought she was a Russian spy, and by then she'd twigged to what was going on and played them all for suckers) was hilarious.

[LOCIfan]

There are some pretty amazing technicolor musicals out there. Let's see: Well, for sheer color and music and even a sweet little family plot, there's always MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, starring Judy Garland, Mary Astor & Margaret O'Brien in turn-of-the-century St. Louis. The Halloween sequence with Margaret O'Brien (whose character is fascinated by death, destruction and all things terrifying) is memorable and well shot.

[LOCIfan]

THE BANDWAGON, starring Fred Astaire & Cyd Charisse is notable for both the choreography and costumes. Wow did Charisse have a pair of gams on her!

ON THE TOWN is a New York City lovers' dream. It stars Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Vera Ellen, Ann Miller, Betty Garrett, & Jules Munshin. Three sailors on 24-hour leave in NYC. It's lively and the music and dance numbers are terrific. But the truly great thing is that much of it was shot on location in NYC, and it's such a treat to really get to see (yes, gussied up by Techicolor, but still) actual post-war NYC. Shooting on location was still a novelty at the time (1948-49). Famously, in the scene in front of the Prometheus statue at Rockefeller Plaza, you can see crowds of actual New Yorkers who've gathered to watch the filming.

A STAR IS BORN is probably my favorite musical. It's later -- 1954, but has a sense of irony which is often missing from earlier musicals, as well as more psychological depth of character than musicals are generally known for. The music is terrific, Garland's in great voice, James Mason is phenomenal. All that and a tear-jerker ending. Plus, what's not to love about a movie about movie stars. Hollywood does self-referential amazingly well.

[Leonore]

Personal favorite musicals and the actors that can cheer me up on a rainy day include:

Danny Kaye, a childhood favorite in Court Jester and Hans Christian Anderson.

Debbie Reynolds in Singing in the Rain and The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Anything with Howard Keel, but especially Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Showboat ("Only Make Believe")and Kiss Me Kate ("Brush Up Your Shakespeare").

There are others with Fred Astair and even older B&Ws with Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddie.

I've always thought Howard Keel had a beautiful voice and in several of the musicals he is in you can watch a young Bob Fosse dance. Ann Miller (speaking of great legs) in Kiss Me Kate tapping to "Too Darn Hot" is great stuff.

[Patcat]

Mr. Keel's autobiography, ONLY MAKE BELIEVE (I think) has just been published. A caveat that the reviews suggest it's not the most gracefully written thing and that the late Mr. Keel spent some time detailing his romantic exploits.

Patcat

[LOCIfan]

Thanks, Patcat. I love reading the memoirs of the old school Hollywood stars!

[LOCIfan]

leonore said:

I've always thought Howard Keel had a beautiful voice and in several of the musicals he is in you can watch a young Bob Fosse dance. Ann Miller (speaking of great legs) in Kiss Me Kate tapping to "Too Darn Hot" is great stuff.

Oh, Lenore, I'm also a fan of KISS ME KATE! I think it's Cole Porter's best score. And the "Too Darn Hot" number is truly fascinating to watch. Ann Miller dancing with Bob Fosse is amazing. He's electrifying, and he coreographed the number. The thing that's so interesting to me about it is that Ann Miller doesn't quite "get" the Fosse technique, and still gives it that old-style Hollywood "polish" -- which is contrary to the heart of the Fosse technique. Don't get me wrong, she's a fantastic dancer. But it's almost like watching the baton being passed from one generation's style of dancing to the next.

[Patcat]

I've never quite "gotten" Ann Miller. She was apparently a great trouper and a nice person, but she was always trying a little too hard for my taste.

But I adore Fred Astaire, who's screen personality is almost completely opposite hers. Very subtle and understated, a relaxed genius.

Patcat

[LOCIfan]

Yeah, Patcat, taken out of context, Ann Miller can seem like an anachronym.

She was a classic Broadway Hoofer. She typified that style, but her later career can sort of obscure that. For those who don't "get" Ann Miller, and who have an interest in "getting" her, check out ON THE TOWN. In terms of dancing ability, Ann Miller was absolutely not to be topped. It's an old-fashioned style, but she was amazing at it. And there's a certain irony in her role in that movie (because it was later -- 1948) that appeals to current audiences....

[LOCIfan]

for those with any interest, Ann Miller's credits from IMDB...


Too Darn Hot (2003) (V) .... On Camera Host
Mulholland Dr. (2001) .... Catherine 'Coco' Lenoix/Adam's Mother
... aka Mulholland Drive (France) (USA: closing credits title)

The Stan Freberg Commercials (1999) (V) .... Wife (segment "The Great American Soup!")
... aka Tip of the Freberg: The Stan Freberg Collection 1951-1998

Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) .... President's girl #2
Dames at Sea (1971) (TV) .... Mona

The Great American Pastime (1956) .... Mrs. Doris Patterson
The Opposite Sex (1956) .... Gloria Dell
Hit the Deck (1955) .... Ginger
Deep in My Heart (1954) .... Dance specialty in 'Artists and Models'
Kiss Me Kate (1953) .... Lois Lane 'Bianca'
Calamity Jane (1953) (uncredited) .... Woman in red who bumps into Calamity
Small Town Girl (1953) .... Lisa Bellmount
Lovely to Look at (1952) .... Bubbles Cassidy
Two Tickets to Broadway (1951) .... Joyce Campbell
Texas Carnival (1951) .... Sunshine Jackson
Watch the Birdie (1950) .... Miss Lucky Vista

On the Town (1949) .... Claire Huddesen
The Kissing Bandit (1948) .... Fiesta Specialty Dancer
Easter Parade (1948) .... Nadine Hale
... aka Irving Berlin's Easter Parade (USA: complete title)
The Thrill of Brazil (1946) .... Linda Lorens
Eve Knew Her Apples (1945) .... Eve Porter
Eadie Was a Lady (1945) .... Eadie Allen and Edithea Alden
Carolina Blues (1944) .... Julie Craver
Jam Session (1944) .... Terry Baxter
Hey, Rookie (1944) .... Winnie Clark
What's Buzzin', Cousin? (1943) .... Ann Crawford
Reveille with Beverly (1943) .... Beverly Ross
Priorities on Parade (1942) .... Donna D'Arcy
True to the Army (1942) .... Vicki Marlow
Go West, Young Lady (1941) .... Lola
Time Out for Rhythm (1941) .... Kitty Brown
Melody Ranch (1940) .... Julie Shelton
... aka Gene Autry's Melody Ranch (USA: poster title)
Hit Parade of 1941 (1940) .... Anabelle Potter
... aka Romance and Rhythm (USA: reissue title)
Too Many Girls (1940) .... Pepe

Tarnished Angel (1938) .... Violet 'Vi' McMaster
Room Service (1938) .... Hilda
You Can't Take It with You (1938) .... Essie Carmichael
Having Wonderful Time (1938) (uncredited) .... Vivian, Camp Guest Next to Itchy in His First Routine
... aka Having a Wonderful Time
Radio City Revels (1938) .... Billie Shaw
Stage Door (1937) .... Annie
The Life of the Party (1937) .... Betty
The Devil on Horseback (1936) .... Dancer
The Good Fairy (1935) (uncredited) .... Bit Part
Anne of Green Gables (1934) (uncredited) .... Child Extra

[janetcatbird]

I saw On The Town the other day. Not my favorite, but not bad. I want Vera-Ellen's hair, and those cool fifties petticoat-skirts. As a history major looking to go into archaeology, the "Prehistoric Man" number made me burst out laughing. Yes, people dress just like that to work in dry dusty anthropology labs. And we all have legs like Ann Miller's...I wish!

So far my favorite, I think, is Guys and Dolls. Just a fun, light-hearted flick with good music. Although for crying out loud, the ONE time when dubbing would have been justifiable, they have Marlon Brando whine and force his way through...shudder. They couldn't have gotten someone who could actually do the role? Jean Simmons did her own singing! Sorry, but that's my new feel-good movie. (That, and the bits of "Pal Joey" I saw, are slowly winning me over as a Sinatra fan.)

By the way, there is nothing that will drive a classical-studies major crazier than silly adaptations. Case in point, my roommate. I kept telling her about Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and finally got her to watch the "Sobbin' Women" number. As a student of the Greeks and Romans, there was much eye-rolling and groaning, but I think she was amused. I don't know why I love that musical so much, the feminist in me should be screamingly indignant. But it's just so silly, and they don't mean harm. Good dancing, and I like the music. Howard Keel was impressive, as was Jane Powell, and I've always had a soft spot for Russ Tamblyn.

Anything else people care to praise and/or heckle?

--Catbird

PS: Mystery Science Theater 3000 "Manos: The Hands of Fate" had several taunts related to classic musicals. Brigadoon, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and possibly others I don't remember were all mentioned. Just something fun.

[Patcat]

Coming soon---MANOS: THE MUSICAL.

Be afraid. Very afraid.

Patcat