MUSICALS, include humor, music, dancing and a story.
One of the reasons I love musicals, is the use of beautiful background scenery. Dancers seem to perform as if there is a live audience watching.
This is my version of DANCING WITH THE STARS.
Elvis Presley was born on January 8,1935 in East Tupelo, Mississippi. His Mother Gladys bought him his first guitar by the age of 12. In (1948) Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating from Humes High School in Memphis, Elvis worked as a movie theater usher and a truck driver for Crown Electric Company. He began his singing career singing as "The Hillbilly Cat". In (1955) he signed on with RCA. Teenage girls became hysterical over his sexy gyrations, where he received the nickname, "Elvis the Pelvis" (TV cameras were not permitted to film below his waist).
In 1956 after his TV performance on The Dorsey Brothers Show, Elvis was cast in his first acting role in a supporting part in Love Me Tender (1956), the first of 33 movies he starred in.
After two years in the military, Presley returned to the studio and made a come back by recording some of his most famous songs. He spent most of the 1960s making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums. Elvis has sold over 600-million singles and albums.
This film is a Hollywood biography of Glenn Miller, a influential big band leader of the 1930s and early 1940s. Glenn Miller died serving his country in World War II. Classics such as "In the Mood," "String of Pearls" and "Little Brown Jug" are featured in the film. The movie is about life in the U.S. from 1929 to 1945. Wonderful cameo roles by Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa, playing themselves.
"Basin Street Blues"
(uncredited)
Written by Spencer Williams
Performed by Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa
"Over the Rainbow"
(uncredited)
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Performed by the orchestra
"I Know Why (and So Do You)"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics Mack Gordon
Performed by the band when trying out the new configuration
Also played during the newspaper/record montage
"String of Pearls"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerry Gray
Lyrics by Edgar De Lange
Performed by the orchestra at the Glen Island Casino
"Pennsylvania 6-5000"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerry Gray
Lyrics by Carl Sigman
Performed by the orchestra at the anniversary celebration
"Tuxedo Junction"
(uncredited)
Music by Erskine Hawkins, William Johnson and Julian Dash
Lyrics by Buddy Feyne
Performed by the orchestra at the recording session
"St. Louis Blues"
(uncredited)
Written by W.C. Handy
Arranged by Glenn Miller
Performed by the military band as "The St. Louis Blues March"
"In the Mood"
(uncredited)
Music by Joe Garland
Lyrics by Andy Razaf
Heard when Glenn is writing arrangements at the piano
Also performed by the orchestra at the ballroom
Also performed by the orchestra during the radio broadcast
"Chattanooga Choo Choo"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Mack Gordon
Performed by Frances Langford, The Modernaires and the Band
"American Patrol"
(uncredited)
Music by F.W. Meacham
Performed by the orchestra during the battle footage montage
"Little Brown Jug"
(uncredited)
Written by Joseph Winner
Played and sung often throughout the picture
"Too Little Time"
(uncredited)
Written by Henry Mancini
"At Last"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played by the orchestra while Glenn and Helen are in the control booth
"Moonlight Serenade"
(uncredited)
Music by Glenn Miller
Lyrics by Mitchell Parish
Played during the opening credits
Also sung during a stage show
Played occasionally throughout the picture
"Good Night, Ladies"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played by Pollack's band in New York
"Santa Lucia"
(uncredited)
Music by Teodoro Cottrau
Played on the violin as Glenn is walking out of the New York pawnshop
"Bridal Chorus"
(uncredited)
From "Lohengrin"
Music by Richard Wagner
Played during the wedding scene
Also sung in the hotel room
Also played at the anniversary celebration
"Bidin' My Time"
(uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Sung by the performers in Girl Crazy
"Elmer's Tune"
(uncredited)
Music by Elmer Albrecht
Played when Glenn and Helen are pulling up to the Glen Island Casino
"Adios"
(uncredited)
Music by Enric Madriguera
Played when Down Beat magazine proclaims Glenn Miller "Tops for 3rd Year in Row"
Also played on the phonograph when Helen and Chummy are talking
"National Emblem"
(uncredited)
Music by Edwin Eugene Bagley
First tune played by the military band
"God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played during the Christmas scene
"Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played during the Christmas scene
Alton Glenn Miller (March 1, 1904 – missing December 15, 1944), American jazz musician, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943. Miller's most famous recordings include In the Mood, American Patrol, Chattanooga ChooChoo, Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade, Little Brown Jug and Pennsylvania 6-5000.
The Opposite Sex (1956) musical remake of the (1939) classic comedy The Women. Both films are based on Claire Boothe Luce's original play. Directed by David Miller. Cast: June Allyson, Joan Collins, Dolores Gray, Ann Sheridan, Ann Miller, Leslie Nielsen, Jeff Richards, Agnes Moorehead, Charlotte Greenwood, Joan Blondell, Sam Levene, and Bill Goodwin.
At Sydney's salon in Manhattan one afternoon, Sylvia Fowler hears from her manicurist Olga that theater producer Steven Hilliard is having an affair with chorus girl Crystal Allen. Kay his wife is the last to know that here is any problems with her 10 year marriage to Steven. Later, the ladies meet at the 21 Club to plan their upcoming charity benefit. When Kay shows up, Sylvia suggests that she visit Olga for a manicure. Kay goes to Sydney's, where Olga, not realizing who she is, tells her the gossip about Steven. After lunch, Sylvia and Edith attend Steven's show to see what Crystal looks like, and Edith's morning sickness forces them to leave early. At a coffee shop they happen to sit next to Crystal, and the three throw insults at each other.
Kay is heartbroken, tries to to pretend nothing has happened. (This my favorite flashback scene in the movie with Harry James, playing trumpet) That night, at the couple's anniversary party, Kay tries to keep up appearances. Crystal reads in the paper that Kay has gone to Bermuda, and hoping that this means the end of their marriage makes plans to "bump into" Steven and his daughter, where they spend the day together at the park.
Soon Kay is on a train to Reno to get a divorce. She meets the Countess, a colorful older woman on her 4th divorce, and actress Gloria Dahl. Later, at the ranch, Kay is shocked to discover that the newest boarder is Sylvia, whose husband is leaving her for another woman.
Kay decides return to her singing career, under her maiden name of Ashley, she learns backstage that Sylvia has returned from Reno with Buck as her new discovery and he is having an affair with Crystal who has grown bored with Steven.
The night of Buck's big opening, Kay does not feel like going, knowing Steven will be there with Crystal. while saying good night to Debbie, she reveals that Steven is unhappy and that Crystal is seeing Buck. Kay puts on a beautiful gown and goes to the club, where she flirts with Steven and asks gossip columnist Dolly DeHaven's for help on getting revenge on Sylvia and getting her man back.
I thought June Allyson was wonderful as Kay. Joan Collins did a believable performance as her rival, I also enjoyed her catty friends. Agnes Moorehead, Ann Miller and Charlotte Greenwood. As an added plus, there are plenty of beautiful costumes to look at.
FUN FACTS: MGM originally wanted Esther Williams to star in this movie, but she was not interested.
"The Opposite Sex"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Performed over the opening credits by Dolores Gray
Performed during "The Psychiatrist" musical sketch with Dick Shawn, Jim Backus,
Joan Collins and Carolyn Jones
"Young Man With a Horn"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Performed and Danced by June Allyson, with horn solo by Harry James
"A Perfect Love"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Performed by June Allyson, dubbed by Jo Ann Greer
"Yellow Gold"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Performed by Jerry Antes, Joan Collins, Carolyn Jones
"Rock and Roll Tumbleweed"
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Ralph Freed
Music by George Stoll
Performed by Jeff Richards
"Now Baby Now"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Performed and Danced by June Allyson and male chorus
Ginger Rogers took the role of Anytime Annie at the request of director Mervyn LeRoy, who she was dating at the time.
The film was so financially successful that it saved Warner Brothers from bankruptcy.
The movie's poster was as #7 of "The 25 Best Movie Posters Ever" by Premiere.
As a publicity stunt, a train called 'The 42nd Street Special' traveled from Hollywood to New York City arriving in time for the opening at the Strand theater on 8 March 1933. On the train were Warner contract players who were called to the stage after the movie was shown (according to the review in The New York Times). Included were Joe E. Brown, Tom Mix and his horse, Bette Davis, Laura La Plante, Glenda Farrell, Lyle Talbot, Leo Carrillo, Claire Dodd, Preston Foster and Eleanor Holm.
Starring Warner Baxter, George Brent, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Una Merkel, Bebe Daniels and Ginger Rogers as Anytime Annie. The classic musical airs on TCM on Tuesday, December 29th at 8:45am EST. A must see for anyone who loves musicals or great movies in general. The one that kinda started it all.
Sitting on the Moon is an excellent showcase for cast: Roger Pryor and Grace Bradley. Songwriter Danny West and fading movie star Polly Blair. Hoping to help Polly's career, Danny ends his partnership with lyricist Mike (William Newell), who finds some comfort in the arms of Polly's friend Mattie (Pert Kelton). Hoping to break up Danny and Polly, Mike plans to have Blossom (Joyce Compton) pretend to be Mike's girlfriend.
Sitting on the Moon"Written by Sidney D. Mitchell and Sam H. Stept. Performed by Roger Pryor on piano. Sung by Grace Bradley with orchestraAlso played over the opening titles
"Lost In My Dreams"Written by Sidney D. Mitchell and Sam H. Stept. Performed by Roger Pryor.
"How Am I Doin' With You"Written by Sidney D. Mitchell and Sam H. Stept. Performed by Roger Pryor.
"Who Am I?"Written by Sidney D. Mitchell and Sam H. Stept Sung by Grace Bradley, with Roger Pryor on piano.
"Theme from Tannhauser"(uncredited)Music by Richard Wagner. Performed by Roger Pryor on piano.
Originally bought by Fox for Betty Grable. But after the success of Niagara (1953), Monroe got the part.
Marilyn Monroe wears a gold lame evening dress previously worn by Ginger Rogers in Dreamboat (1952).
In the "Ain't There Anyone Here for Love?" number, Jane Russell's fall into the pool was an accident. Howard Hawks decided to kept it in the film.
When Marilyn Monroe was told she was not the star of the film, Marilyn Monroe said "Well whatever I am, I'm still the blond."
The ship model shown is the one used previously in Titanic (1953) and was refurbished to resemble the SS Ilede France, as seen in the film.
According to Marni Nixon, at first they wanted Marilyn Monroe's entire voice dubbed, Nixon thought her voice suited her personality. Nixon told The New York Times in March (2007) that she ended up only dubbing the "no, no, nos" at the beginning of the song.
This was Jane Russell's only film with Marilyn Monroe. They got along well. Russell called Monroe "Blondie" and was often the only person on the set who could get Monroe out of her trailer to film.
Marilyn Monroe suggested the line "I can be smart when it's important, but most men don't like it."
The chemistry of Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe proved to be so successful, that Fox wanted Russell and Monroe to star in the film How to Be Very, Very Popular (1955). Monroe didn't like the script. So in January (1955), the studio cast Sheree North as Curly (intended for Monroe) and Betty Grable as "Stormy Tornado" (intended for Russell).
"A Little Girl from Little Rock"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung as "Two Little Girls from Little Rock" by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell with Chorus
Also sung at the wedding
"When Love Goes Wrong"
Music by Hoagy Carmichael
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Performed by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell with Parisians
"Bye Bye Baby"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Performed by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe with Passengers
"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Performed by Marilyn Monroe with Chorus
Also performed by Jane Russell
Also sung at the wedding
Sung by a chorus at the end
"Ain't There Anyone Here for Love?"
Music by Hoagy Carmichael
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Performed by Jane Russell and the Olympic Team
"Bridal Chorus"
From "Lohengrin" (uncredited)
Music by Richard Wagner
Played at the wedding
Classic Disney fantasy film about the nanny Mary Poppins who works her magic for two unhappy children in London, England. Julie Andrews is simply outstanding in her film debut. She positively glows when she is onscreen. I can see why she won the Best Actress Oscar that year. It is easily one of the best screen performances of all time. Of course, Mary Poppins is a hard act to follow and she would never come close to matching it except for maybe The Sound of Music. Anyway, a childhood classic that still holds up with a lot of song and dance, some humor, and some ok special effects. The flying sequences hold up better than the other effects. And Dick Van Dyke is a plus as chimney sweeper Bert. The songs are still amazing to this day. Julie Andrews had a terrific voice and every song she sings is truly music to your ears. Dick Van Dyke holds his own as Bert with a terrific number of his own. Dyke starts off the cheery song Chim Chim Cher-ee and is quite good, but when Julie comes in towards the end, the song really takes off. And when she sings Feed The Birds (Tuppence a Bag), it's a showstopper. Mary Poppins is a film that everyone can enjoy. A true classic. ----------------------------------------------------------
Mary Poppins: Our first game is called "well begun is half done." Michael: I don't like the sound of that. Mary Poppins: Otherwise entitled, "let's tidy up the nursery." Michael: I told you she was tricky.
Star loaded 1941 film Ziegfeld Girl is an enjoyable film. It stars Jimmy Stewart, Judy Garland, Hedy Lamarr, and Lana Turner. Like I said star loaded. The film centers on three different girls who become Ziegfeld girls, which they hope mean fame and money. Judy is Susan Gallagher, one half of a musical variety act with her old school dad (played by the fabulous Charles Winniger) that play at very small locales just to earn some money. Well Susan gets the call that the great Mr. Ziegfeld is looking for new girls and she is all happy for her and her dad. But Ziegfeld just wants Susan and not dad. So tension arises from that situation but good old dad doesn't stand in her way. Susan becomes a Ziegfeld girl and her dad carries on the show by himself. Hedy plays Sandra Kotler, a married woman whose violinist husband Franz is struggling to make a name for himself. At the audition for acts for The Ziegfeld show, Franz is overlooked but Sandra is picked to be a ZG, much to Franz's displeasure. They end up separated for awhile and Sandra becomes close with the show's male vocalist Frank (played by Tony Martin). And finally there is elevator girl Sheila Regan (Lana Turner) who has a boyfriend trucker named Gill (Jimmy Stewart with a thick Brooklyn accent). Sheila is the type of girl from the wrong side of the tracks with a hard working family. Once she gets picked, she makes the biggest transformation of all the girls. She lets the fame and money go to her head and breaks up with Gill and starts romancing a much older and richer man. All the girls personal issues play out against the backdrop of the Ziegfeld musical shows. Judy Garland gets to belt out a few good numbers. But its actually Charles Winniger who has the best musical number: a song and dance number with an old vaudeville partner that leaves the audience amazed. Hedy Lamarr is strictly here for decoration, not that there's anything wrong with that. Her scenes with Franz are her best though. Jimmy Stewart is good as Gill, a nice change of pace from playing the good guys..he ends up in jail for bootlegging after being dumped by Sheila. His Brooklyn accent is thick, but somehow he loses it by midway through the film. The standout in this film is Lana Turner as Sheila. Whoever may have question Ms. Turner's acting ability will be put in check by her performance here. It deserved some type of award for her hard take on this girl who becomes her own worst enemy. Towards the end, Sheila will have hit rock bottom and Turner nails it with a riveting performance. Ms. Turner may have been known for her beauty, but here she proves she can act with the best of them. There is also solid support from veterans Edward Everett Horton, Fay Holden and Eve Arden. Typical Eve gets in several good zingers. So, Ziegfeld Girl is a marvelous film, not really a straight forward musical, more of a drama that has a few musical numbers in it with solid performances by a talented cast. And one knockout performance by Lana Turner. I enjoyed every minute of it.
ON THE TOWN (1949) A wonderful musical, about three sailors (Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin) on a twenty-four hour shore leave, looking for adventure and romance.They go on a sightseeing tour of Manhattan. On their list: the Empire State Building, Central Park and Rockefeller Center, Ozzie and Gabey quickly becoming bored of sightseeing and want to check out the beautiful women of New York. The three sailors see a poster of Ivy Smith, "Miss Turnstiles"(Vera Ellen) for the month of June, thinking that she is beautiful girl he has ever seen. They tell her life story in a dance number. They can not believe that they find her, as soon as they arrive at the subway station, where Ivy is posing for a photo shoot. Gabey poses with her for a photograph. she quickly disappears. Gabey, Chip and Ozzie follow Ivy in a taxicab driven by Brunhilde (Betty Garrett), who has eyes for Chip. With the poster of Ivy's as their only information, Gabey and his friends look for her in places where she might be working. Brunhilde, takes the sailors to look for Ivy at the Museum of Natural History, where Ozzie meets Claire (Ann Miller), an anthropologist, who quickly joins them in the search. When they break into a dance, Ozzie and Claire accidentally knock over a dinosaur skeleton at the museum. They run for their lives, but the police are hot on their trail. The group splits up and search for her separately, agreeing to meet later that evening at the Empire State Building. Alone at last with Chip, Brunhilde takes him to her apartment, only to be disturbed by her quirky, roommate, Lucy(Alice Pearce).Gabey eventually finds Ivy in a dance studio, and they make plans to go on a date later that evening. Ivy promises to return from her date in time to make her performance as a coach dancer at Coney Island, because she owes her dance instructor a lot of money for her lessons. Chip, Brunhilde, Ozzie, Claire and Gabey meet at the top of the Empire State Building, where they hide Ozzie from the policemen who are still looking for him. When Ivy arrives, the three couples begin their night ON THE TOWN. The evening comes to an abrupt halt when Ivy disappears without explanation, leaving behind only a note. His friends try to cheer him up by quickly having Lucy fill in for for Ivy. Gabey has a few drinks and thinks about his new love, Ivy. Will the two love birds find each other again?I loved the fact that this movie was filmed on location. I really enjoyed the dance numbers. For me they seemed to go with the plot instead strictly for entertainment. I also, loved the dance number where the guys dress up in Hiram costumes and sing like girls..In her screen debut, Alice Pearce (the roommate with the sneezing problem). Alice is also known as the first actress to play the nosy neighbor Gladys Kravitz on the show Bewitched (1964). http://www.tcm.com/video/videoPlayer/?cid=16834&titleId=355
CLICK to view theatrical trailer.
"I Feel Like I'm Not out of Bed Yet"
(uncredited)
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Sung by Bern Hoffman
"New York, New York"
(uncredited)
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Sung and Danced by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin
"Miss Turnstiles"
(uncredited)
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Danced by Vera-Ellen and chorus
"Prehistoric Man"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Sung by Ann Miller
Danced by Ann Miller, Jules Munshin, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Betty Garrett
"Come Up to My Place"
(uncredited)
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Sung by Betty Garrett and Frank Sinatra
"Main Street"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Sung by Gene Kelly
Danced by Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen
"You're Awful"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Sung by Frank Sinatra and Betty Garrett
"On the Town"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Sung and Danced by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin, Ann Miller,
Betty Garrett and Vera-Ellen
"Count on Me"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Sung by Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Jules Munshin, Ann Miller,
Alice Pearce and Gene Kelly.
"A Day in New York"
(uncredited)
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Danced by Gene Kelly, Vera-Ellen, Carol Haney and dancers
"That's All There Is, Folks"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Danced by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin
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