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"
Take Me Out To The Ball Game (1949)
6.8/10
Director: Busby Berkeley
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Esther Williams
Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Esther Williams star in this turn-of-the-century Busby Berkeley musical. Read more
Easter Parade ( Blu-ray ) (1948)
7.5/10
Director: Charles Walters
Starring: Ann Miller, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Peter Lawford
Fred Astaire and Judy Garland's only movie together was this spectacular Irving Berlin musical. After splitting with longtime dance partner Ann Miller... Read more
Words and Music (1948)
6.5/10
Director: Norman Taurog
Starring: June Allyson, Perry Como, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Mickey Rooney, A...
The renowned songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart is spotlighted in this musical biography that features an all-star cast performing th... Read more
Ladies of the Chorus (1948)
6.1/10
Director: Phil Karlson
Starring: Adele Jergens, Marilyn Monroe, Rand Brooks, Nana Bryant, Eddie Garr
Marilyn's second feature film casts her as dizzy burlesque queen, Peggy Martin, who gets a big break after stealing not only the show, but the heart o... Read more
Easter Parade (1948)
7.5/10
Director: Charles Walters
Starring: Ann Miller, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Peter Lawford
Fred Astaire and Judy Garland's only movie together was this spectacular Irving Berlin musical. After splitting with longtime dance partner Ann Miller... Read more
The Pirate (1948)
7/10
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Starring: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Walter Slezak, Gladys Cooper, Reginald Owen
A rollicking musical about a girl (Judy Garland) who is engaged to the local toff, but is infatuated with the famed pirate, Macoco (Gene Kelly) - but... Read more
Down to Earth (1947)
6.4/10
Director: Alexander Hall
Starring: Edward Everett Horton, James Gleason, Larry Parks, Marc Platt, Rita Hayworth, Ro...
It's heaven on earth in this delightful musical comedy sequel to the enormously successful "Here Comes Mr. Jordan." Rita Hayworth plays an incredibly... Read more
The Fabulous Dorseys (1947)
5.6/10
Director: Alfred E Green
Starring: Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey
Based on the lives of big-band stars Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, who star as themselves in this biographical chronicle that begins with their childhood in... Read more
The Perils Of Pauline (1947)
7.1/10
Director: George Marshall
Starring: Betty Hutton, John Lund, Constance Collier
Hold tight for this one! It's one harrowing escape after another. Betty Hutton comes on like fireworks in this witty comedy about the former star of t... Read more
Swing Parade ( aka Swing Parade of 1946 ) (1946)
5.3/10
Director: Phil Karlson
Starring: Gale Storm, The Three Stooges
The Three Stooges at their bumbling, eyepoking, hair-pulling best! This time around "The Boys" must protect talented nightclub owner Danny Warren (Phi... Read more