Whats your favorite musical film ?

[david1987]

Nope sorry you've still not convinced me to watch it,as I said I only watched the movie because Jonny Depp was in it.

You strike me as a simple soul

[joan w]

LOVE THIS.......................

[neighboursfan]

You strike me as a simple soul

????

[Mel O'Drama]

Here are the ones that instantly come to mind. I'll put them in alphabetical order, as my order of preference changes with my mood:

*Beaches
*The Commitments
*Dreamgirls
*Evita
*Fame (original)
*For The Boys
*Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
*Grease
*Gypsy (Bette Midler version)
*The Rose
*Saturday Night Fever
*Some Like It Hot
*The Sound Of Music
*Thank God It's Friday
*The Wiz

[Mike]

The Wiz is positively the worst musical I've ever had the misfortune to come across !

[Mel O'Drama]

The Wiz is positively the worst musical I've ever had the misfortune to come across !

Different strokes for different folks I guess Mike.

I only watched it for the first time last Christmas, but I enjoyed it. There, I said it.

[holeinmydonut]

thats an easy one for me 'cabaret.' kander and ebbs masterpeice, set in 30's berlin. liza was outstanding as sally.

[Mike]

Diana Ross was irritating and Michael Jackson was so nauseating and the songs were just dire, but yes, different strokes Mel, glad someone enjoyed it

[vaughnleland]

Here are the ones that instantly come to mind. I'll put them in alphabetical order, as my order of preference changes with my mood:

*Beaches
*The Commitments)
*For The Boys
*Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
*Saturday Night Fever
*Some Like It Hot

these are not musicals..rather films with some music in them. and Bette midler was awful as Mama Rose in the remake of Gypsy. Roz Russell's version was much better in spite of the fact that it cut 2 songs.

[Mel O'Drama]

these are not musicals..rather films with some music in them. and Bette midler was awful as Mama Rose in the remake of Gypsy. Roz Russell's version was much better in spite of the fact that it cut 2 songs.

I liked it, and the thread was asking what the individual's favourites are, not necessarily the best. This is primarily an 80s soap forum, after all, so we're all in one big glass house really. Art is a subjective medium though, VL, so let's agree to disagree about Bette's performance.

[vaughnleland]

we can agree to disagree..but as a director, and Gypsy being one of my favorite musicals..I found that Bette peaked way too early,she peaked at 'everythings coming up roses' when she had an entire act to go before 'roses turn" it put her over the top with nowhere to go for the last hour of the film. I normally like Bette Midler's performances but not as Mama Rose. check out Roz Russell's film again just for comparisons sake.

[JR.SUPERSTAR]

a few of them:
Hair
Sound of music
Annie
Mamma Mia
Sweeney Todd
Tommy
Help!
Grease
Wizard of Oz
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

[Scarlett]

we can agree to disagree..but as a director, and Gypsy being one of my favorite musicals..I found that Bette peaked way too early,she peaked at 'everythings coming up roses' when she had an entire act to go before 'roses turn" it put her over the top with nowhere to go for the last hour of the film. I normally like Bette Midler's performances but not as Mama Rose. check out Roz Russell's film again just for comparisons sake.

I'm going to try to find Bette's 'Gypsy' through Inner Library Loan - I've never seen her version - just Roz Russell (and I didn't like it very much).

[E.J. Andre]

Diana Ross was irritating and Michael Jackson was so nauseating and the songs were just dire, but yes, different strokes Mel, glad someone enjoyed it

As a kid I sat through about half of The Wiz when it was shown on TV, but just wasn't 'feeling it.' Apparently it was huge on Broadway though, with Lola Falana in the lead; maybe they should have cast her in the movie, I wonder why they didn't. I don't recall if it was considered a flop at the time, or perhaps just a minor disappointment. Maybe it was Diana Ross's afro. That didn't really work for me.

Regarding the question of what constitutes a musical: I believe a true musical is when the storyline is advanced by frequent musical interludes; characters breaking into song at a moment's notice. Which is why Grease and Wizard of Oz are true musicals. Movies in which music plays a prominent part, such as Saturday Night Fever, I don't think that's a true musical. But then, what about a movie like The Rose, in which Bette Midler played a rock star modeled after Janis Joplin? Is that a musical? The Buddy Holly Story? This is Spinal Tap? Good fodder for debate.

[Scarlett]

I am going to see Buddy Holly Story next summer (dinner theatre) and it is a 'musical'. Though I agree that the music needs to enhance the show (characters singing throughout, singing telling the story). There are lots of movies with great music (i.e. Beaches - but I would not call it a musically staged show or movie).