Classic Musicals

I’ve grown up watching musicals, onscreen and onstage. It’s amazing to sit in a theatre and hear the full power of the orchestra, but there are some impressive transitions to film. Here are some of the most classic musicals turned into movies, and my favorites.

Phantom of the Opera

I remember when this movie first came out. I had never heard of the musical and the movie description didn’t seem very interesting, but then I heard the music. I saw the beautiful costumes and stunning set, the iconic chandelier and extensive masquerade and intricate choreography that would have taken forever to rehearse and film.

Christine’s innocent determination that the Phantom is her angel of music leads her down dark paths. The Phantom’s obsession with her beauty and her voice is ultimately his downfall, the last time he will ever believe he can truly have what he wants.

It almost seems like Christine is slowly losing her mind throughout the film, and only gets it together in “Past the Point of No Return.” She finally realizes what has been happening and challenges the Phantom, the man who has been terrorizing her and the rest of the inhabitants of the theatre.

Singing in the Rain

This is my favorite musical, despite the obnoxiously long dance numbers. Gene Kelly is such a showoff. But he’s also a musical genius, so you know. I love watching this musical with my sisters or when I’m sick or on rainy days. It’s a charming story full of wonderful dancing and comical moments.

My favorite song is “Moses Supposes,” especially Cosmo’s faces. He is definitely my favorite character, though Lena is a close second. He doesn’t care at all the his best friend is famous and laughs when Don gets mauled by his fans. He does the most impressive number, “Make them Laugh,” and there are some seriously amazing numbers in this show.

Debbie Reynolds debuted as the delightful actress, Kathy Selden, who refuses to fall for Don’s lines, jumps out of a cake, and throws a cake in Lena’s face. But then she and Don settle their differences and she and Cosmo help Don adjust to talking pictures, all the while fooling Lena and making Kathy a star.

Hello Dolly

My cousin introduced me to this one, and I’m so glad she did. I actually got to be a chorus member in a community production of this show when I was i n college. It was so fun, and my favorite part was watching Dolly.

Dolly is a vivacious, larger than life busy body who adores arranging things…specifically people’s lives. She talks a mile a minute, has enough sass to pull off any outfit, and a giant heart.

Barbara Streisand is a true goddess as Dolly Levi. She manages to orchestrate three couples falling in love and having an unforgettable day in New York City, as well as her own return to her throne of sorts and having a second chance at love.

My Fair Lady

This was the first Audrey Hepburn movie I ever watched and I loved it. She has such an expressive face, and great comedic timing. She herself is classic and she brings this movie to a higher level.

Eliza Doolittle is a starving flower girl picked off the street to fulfill a social experiment. She is trained to pass as one of society’s elite, no easy task for a street urchin. But she not only successfully learns everything she needs to know and fools everyone she meets, but she also falls in love. She questions what to do with her life now that she has been newly bred for a high standard of living. She has all the manners and charm of a duchess, but no wealth or title. She is made into a new woman and rediscovers her purpose in life.

Sound of Music

Julie Andrews plays a nun in training who is sent to be a nanny for several children with a very busy government official for a father.

Maria wants desperately to dedicate her life to God, but she also wants to frolic in meadows, making daisy crowns, and singing to her heart’s content. So she is put in charge of children to give her a better sense of responsibility. The problem is, these children are far too responsible and dull. So Maria promptly befriends them, makes them play-clothes, and takes them out for boat rides and tree climbing sessions.

Most importantly, she teaches them how to sing. In the process of bring life, love, and music back into their home, Maria and Captain Von Trapp fall in love. It’s a beautiful story set in the earlier stages of WWII, and my mother’s favorite. I recently had the opportunity to see it onstage and thoroughly enjoyed it

Musicals portray a heightened version of life full of bright sparkly costumes, larger than life characters, and well timed musical numbers.