Musicals
As soon as sound was introduced to the movies, the movie musical was born. The musical was one of the most popular movie entertainments from the 1930s through to the 50s, before falling out of favour at the end of the 60s for audiences now being weened on Vietnam, race riots, political assassinations, flower power and psychedelia. The musical still continued onwards, albeit in a different form, with various efforts such as "Cabaret", "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", "Grease", "Hair", "All That Jazz" and "The Blues Brothers" appearing over the next decade. More recently, "Moulin Rouge" and particularly "Chicago" hark back to the glory days of the musical.
Right: Liza Minnelli does "Cabaret"
42nd Street (1933)
7.6/10
Director: Lloyd Bacon
Starring: Dick Powell, George Brent, Guy Kibbee, Ruby Keeler, Warner Baxter, Una Merkel
The archetypical backstage musical given depth, life and power by the extravagant touch of Busby Berkeley. Warner Baxter is Julian Marsh, the 'musical... Read more
A Bing Crosby Christmas (1962)
6.8/10
Starring: Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, David Bowie, Jackie Gleason, Michael Land...
This compilation includes a collection of the greatest moments from fifteen of Crosby's annual televised Christmas Specials (from 1962 to 1977). Hoste... Read more
A Chorus Line (1985)
6.1/10
Director: Richard Attenborough
Starring: Michael Douglas, Audrey Landers, Gregg Burge
Richard Attenborough directs the film version of the long-running Broadway hit musical about an audition for a Broadway chorus line. A diverse cast of... Read more
A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004)
6.5/10
Director: Arthur Seidelman
Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Jesse L Martin, Jane Krakowski, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Love H...
This elaborate musical re-telling of Dickens' Christmas story is based on a stage version that was performed for ten consecutive years in New York's M... Read more
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court / The Emperor Waltz (1949)
Director: Billy Wilder, Tay Garnett
Starring: Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, Cedric Hardwicke, William Bendix, Joan Fontaine, Ro...
This classic Bing Crosby Double Feature begins with 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' (1949). Adapted from Mark Twain's story, Bing is a... Read more
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)
7/10
Director: Richard Lester
Starring: Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton
This adaptation of the Broadway musical hit about a conniving slave in ancient Rome features comedy legends Zero Mostel (re-creating his Tony award-wi... Read more
A Little Night Music (1978)
5.7/10
Director: Harold Prince
Starring: Diana Rigg, Elizabeth Taylor, Len Cariou, Lesley-Anne Down, Hermione Gingold
Stephen Sondheim's musical, based on Ingmar Bergman's film "Smiles of a Summer Night," receives a lavish big-screen adaptation. The story concerns the... Read more
A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
6.8/10
Director: Robert Altman
Starring: Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, John C Reilly, Kevin Kline, Garrison...
The late Robert Altman's swansong is this whimsical tribute to radio shows of days gone by. Scripted by Garrison Keillor (who plays himself in the fi... Read more
A Star is Born (2018)
8.4/10
Director: Bradley Cooper
Starring: Andrew Dice Clay, Sam Elliott, Dave Chappelle, Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Lady G...
Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers -- and falls in love with -- struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big... Read more
A Star is Born (Blu-Ray) (2018)
8.4/10
Director: Bradley Cooper
Starring: Andrew Dice Clay, Sam Elliott, Dave Chappelle, Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Lady G...
Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers -- and falls in love with -- struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big... Read more