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"
That's Entertainment! III (1994)
7.6/10
Director: Bud Friedgen, Michael J Sheridan
Starring: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, June Allyson, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Lena Hor...
Among the many musical highlights featured in this return trip to the MGM Studios library are unused numbers by Debbie Reynolds from "Singin' in the R... Read more
Private Elvis (1993)
Starring: Elvis Presley
Private Elvis definitive documents Elvis Presley's years as a private in the American Army, and features rare footage and archive photographs of the s... Read more
Gypsy (1993)
7.3/10
Director: Emile Ardolino
Starring: Cynthia Gibb, Bette Midler, Peter Riegert, Edward Asner
The classic Stephen Sondheim-Jule Styne musical based on the early life of burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee is given a vibrant treatment, fueled by a bra... Read more
Sarafina! (1992)
6.4/10
Director: Darrell Roodt
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, Miriam Makeba
Based on the hit play, this musical-drama is set against the backdrop of racial strife in Soweto, South Africa, in 1979, where rebellious schoolteache... Read more
Stepping Out (1991)
6.4/10
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Liza Minnelli, Shelley Winters
Directed by Lewis Gilbert, starring Liza Minnelli, written by Richard Harris and based on a play also written by Harris. Minnelli plays the role of a... Read more
For The Boys (1991)
6.3/10
Director: Mark Rydell
Starring: Bette Midler, James Caan, George Segal
Bette Midler at her best as a singer who becomes a star while performing for the troops during WWII. James Caan and George Segal co-star. Read more
Graffiti Bridge (1990)
4.3/10
Director: Prince
Starring: Prince, Morris Day, Jerome Benton, Jill Jones
Music is the power, Love is the message, Truth is the answer... that's the motto of Prince in this semi-sequel to "Purple Rain". Read more
Tap (1989)
6.5/10
Director: Nick Castle
Starring: Gregory Hines, Joe Morton, Sammy Davis Jr, Suzzanne Douglas
Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis, Jr. and some legendary hoofers star in a rousing dance showcase about a second-generation tapper and parolled jewel thief... Read more
Great Balls Of Fire (1989)
6.2/10
Director: Jim McBride
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin
Dennis Quaid plays Jerry Lee Lewis in this biopic that traces 'the killer's' rise to rock and roll stardom in the '50s and the marriage to his teenage... Read more
Beauty And The Beast (1987)
7.1/10
Director: Eugene Marner
Starring: Rebecca De Mornay, John Savage
Rebecca De Mornay ('The Three Musketeers') stars in this live-action version of the classic fairy tale, about finding true love in the unlikeliest of... Read more