Falling in Love with Love . . . February is one of the better months of the year because it is the shortest winter month, the Superbowl and Academy Awards are both held during, and I look good in red. Being that it is the month of love, I thought I would touch on the subject with another movie guide.  The following movie guide is not totally focused on romance but instead on a movie genre I love . . . MUSICALS.  Obviously, love is almost always the main focal point of a musical but the dancing and singing are the parts that make my heart swell.

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West Side Story

West Side Story is my favorite musical of all time. I can’t count the number of times I have watched this movie and seen the show performed live. For some reason, the best musicals are the ones with sad endings. The dancing, duets, and costumes are phenomenal in this musical.

The classic love story – a boy and girl from different backgrounds falls in love but don’t see a way to be together when everyone is against them. Basically, Romeo and Juliet told for the millionth time. But the story doesn’t get old for me!

Tidbit – I was devastated to learn it is not actually Natalie Wood’s voice singing but I got over it.

Best Dancing Sequences:  America, Cool

Best Vocal Songs: Tonight, A Boy Like That/I Have A Love

P.S. I haven’t seen the newest movie version yet but I plan to soon!

Carousel

Another one of my favorites, Carousel also has a few sad parts in this musical. A man and woman marry but it is hard for the husband to keep a good job and be happily settled down in life. The male lead ends up dying and reflecting back on his life.

I think Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones have wonderful chemistry (thank God Frank Sinatra dropped out). Carousel is a story told in a unique way jumping back and forth between the past and present.

Tidbit – Read Shirley Jones’ memoir, it’s quite scandalous.

Best Dancing Sequences: June is Bustin’ Out All Over, Ballet (the daughter’s)

Best Vocal Songs: If I Loved You, You’ll Never Walk Alone (I cry every time I hear this song)

Hello Dolly

Barbara Streisand in Hello Dolly is something you need to see. I can’t imagine anyone else playing the role of matchmaker Dolly Levi, though I personally would love to get this part in a play someday.

Dolly is a big personality and stays busy making love connections. She’s decided that maybe it is time to make a match for herself.

Best Dancing Sequences: Dancing, Hello, Dolly!

Best Vocal Songs: So Long, Dearie, Hello, Dolly!

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

A completely ridiculous storyline but that’s what makes musicals so amazing – no one goes around singing and dancing all day (at least not most people). In Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, bachelor brothers living in the woods decide it is time to get themselves some wives. A plan is hatched to impress the local city gals and steal them off to their home.

Tidbit – Like many musicals, you can’t put this one on without many talented men.  It is so frustrating for a director to have to cut the play possibility list in half when you think about who is available for the male roles.

Best Dancing Sequences: Barn Dance, Lonesome Polecat

Fiddler on the Roof

An almost 3-hour long movie focusing on such a serious topic as anti-Semitism still manages to have incredibly delightful moments like “Matchmaker”. In Fiddler on the Roof, a poor man with five daughters struggles between tradition and giving his girls what they really want.

Tidbit – As a child, I have no idea how often I threw a blanket around my head and sang “Matchmaker” but the dream sequence to this day still terrifies me.

Best Dancing Sequences: Chava Ballet

Best Vocal Songs: Matchmaker, If I Were A Rich Man, Do You Love Me?, Far From the Home I Love

Oklahoma

My favorite musical couple strikes again in Oklahoma but this time with a happier ending. See, I am not all doom and gloom.

There is some major flirting between a rancher and a woman who lives on a farm. Everything is going great in the relationship until a farmhand declares his love for the woman.

Tidbit – I really enjoyed being the assistant director of this musical when I was a teacher.  I had excellent student dancers that I was very proud to help choreograph for.

Best Dancing Sequences: Out of My Dreams Ballet, The Farmer and The Cowman, Kansas City

Best Vocal Songs: People Will Say We’re In Love, All er Nuthin’

Newsies

Newsies has Christian Bale singing and dancing – enough said! The plot of the musical is that poor newsboys in New York ban together to form a union to push back against the publishing tycoons who keep raising the rate of newspapers.

Tidbit – I dream of being able to choreograph this musical someday.

Best Dancing Sequences: King of New York

Best Vocal Songs: The World Will Know, Seize the Day, Once and For All

The Sound of Music

Another musical with the serious historical background of the Nazi regime.  I love that Sound of Music is based on a true story about a widow with seven children. The children have been terrorizing their nannies but may now have met their match with Maria, a former nun.

Tidbit – Many members of my family (including myself) have been in the play at least once.

Best Dancing Sequences: Sixteen Going on Seventeen 

Best Vocal Songs: Edelweiss, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, Something Good

Singin’ in the Rain

I always forget how funny the musical Singin’ in the Rain is.  This musical is light, funny, and always makes me want to start tap dancing again. A young lady wants to break in to show business and might get her chance as “talkies” make their way on to the scene.

Best Dancing Sequences: Make ‘Em Laugh, Moses, Good Morning

Best Vocal Songs: Good Morning, Singin’ In The Rain, Would You?

It should be fairly clear by now that I prefer the classics to the newer musicals ranging from “Hairspray” to “Rent” but I didn’t watch the modern musicals over and over again as a child.

Here are other musicals that certainly deserve honorable mentions;

• South Pacific
• Bye Bye Birdie
• Mama Mia
• Meet Me in St. Louis
• The King and I
• Music Man
• The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

If you enjoyed this movie guide then check out another list featuring romance – Best Date Night Movies!