A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
#1A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 1:41am
HitFix.com just posted this gallery of what they chose as the 20 best movie musicals of the past 50 years. Out of the films that I have seen I have a few issues (and find at least one notable omission from my taste), but I found their top few picks to be very strong. What say you all?
Top 20 Movie Musicals of the Last 50 Years
Updated On: 12/24/12 at 01:41 AM
#2A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 1:54am
Sweeney Todd and Chicago not even on the list? meh
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#2A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 2:03amIt's an odd list but I don't think SWEENEY TODD deserves to be on it, thanks to the horrendous singing voices in it.
#3A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 2:25amNo West Side Story or The Wizard of Oz? Interesting...
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
#4A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 2:26amThey weren't made in the last 50 years.
#5A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 2:44am
No The Jazz Singer ? Interesting...
No The Godfather ? Interesting...
No Jan Maxwell ? Interesting...
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
ChanceEncounter
Stand-by Joined: 7/7/12
#6A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 3:00am
Chicago deserves to be on there, but Sweeney Todd definitely not.
Glad to see 8 Femmes on the list. That's a wonderful and fun film.
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#7A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 8:41am
Oliver!, Chicago, and Funny Girl notably absent. But I'm also glad to see 8 Women included.
Updated On: 12/24/12 at 08:41 AM
#8A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 9:41am
I'll add my huzzah for '8 Femmes'--one of my all-time faves. I'm also happy to see 'Hedwig' and Bjork on the list.
I might combine the Disney renaissance films into 1 entry to make room for 'Funny Girl', though. And I'm not sure that 'Moulin Rouge' deserves a spot more than 'Chicago'.
While I appreciate that rules are rules etc., I have to object to 'West Side Story' not making the list. IMDB lists the American, Japanese and Brazilian release dates as December, 1961 but worldwide release continued well into 1962.
You think, what do you want?
You think, make a decision...
Updated On: 12/24/12 at 09:41 AM
#9A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 6:52pm
It IS weird Chicago isn't on there, though I do like the inclusion of more off-beat things.
I think WSS being left off is more technicality. I would assume they're going by premiere dates. It's considered a 1961 film.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#10A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 7:22pmI'd drop Dancer in the Dark and replace it with Tommy. How can you not include Tina Turner's Acid Queen?
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
RENT_is_Wicked2
Stand-by Joined: 4/4/11
#11A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 7:45pm
Chicago??????????????
I also enjoyed "Hello Dolly" as well.
#12A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 7:57pm
Ugh. I forgot 'Tommy'. I'll give up 'Grease' for 'Tommy', but not 'Dancer'. 'Dancer' is difficult, but SO powerful. It's an important movie (for me).
Maybe--like combining 'Little Mermaid' & 'Beauty & The Beast' into a single Disney Renaissance spot on the list--we can sneak 'Funny Girl' and 'Dolly' in under a Streisand Period Costume Musical item.
I've never seen 'Phantom of the Paradise'--does it really belong on the list?
You think, what do you want?
You think, make a decision...
#13A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 7:58pm
I think WSS being left off is more technicality. I would assume they're going by premiere dates. It's considered a 1961 film.
It's considered a 1961 film because it is from 1961. It was released on October 18, 1961, to be exact. The article is about the best musicals of the past 50 years. So 1962 would be the cut-off point.
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
JP2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/2/07
#14A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 8:05pm
They sure picked the right #1. :)
Though, I'd have taken 1-2 out and replaced with either Chicago or Hairspray.
#15A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 8:28pm
The Music Man (1962) should be there.
degrassifan
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/08
#16A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 8:42pmI don't know how I feel about The Sound of Music being number 5 and Mary Poppins being number 3. I think they should switch places. Also, I think Chicago should have been on the list, as well as (don't hurt me!!) Hairspray. If Dreamgirls made it, then these two should have made it as well. I'm glad The Little Mermaid was on the list. Usually, it's always Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King on these lists, but never TLM, so I'm glad it made it. Oh, and I'm surprised Oliver! didn't make the list.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#17A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 9:03pm
Also, they didn't include any of the tv musicals?
Bette Midler Gypsy
Matthew/Kristin Music Man
Jason/Vanessa Bye Bye Birdie
Glennie South Pacific
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#18A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 10:19pm
I'm with Chicago and Sweeney people. Both of those are personal favorites. I was glad to see Hedwig included. Fiddler on the Roof is a head-scratcher. I'm never sure what I think about it. I'll always be lukewarm on Dreamgirls, so I'd maybe question that one's inclusion.
All of the others are pretty reasonable.
ChanceEncounter
Stand-by Joined: 7/7/12
#19A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 10:25pmThe sweeney movie was no good.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#20A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 10:29pmYou're no good!
#21A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 10:57pm
Indiewire has a poll: Best Live-Action Movie Musical of the Last 75 Years
http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/movie-musicals-top-20-of-all-time
Coach Bob knew it all along: you've got to get obsessed and stay obsessed. You have to keep passing the open windows. (John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire)
#22A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 11:12pmI'd also find room for A Hard Day's Night on the list of top musicals.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
ChanceEncounter
Stand-by Joined: 7/7/12
#23A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 11:28pm
You're no good!
i won't deny that
#24A Fun List of the 20 Best Movie Musicals for Us to Debate
Posted: 12/24/12 at 11:36pm
"I've never seen 'Phantom of the Paradise'--does it really belong on the list?"
Any list with Little Shop at the top (and I don't disagree with its placement) owes some debt to Paradise, so yes, I think it's justified.
Videos