Musical Comedy Marathons
Hope you've been practising your singing, because it's ~*~*~*showtime!~*~*~*
1. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Hawks, 1953)
What do you get when you put Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe together in a single film? Mischief, fireworks, and two total bombshells. Hawks's classic musical film tells the story of Lorelei Lee (Monroe), who is engaged to marry a wealthy, though sheepish, young man. She embarks on a trans-Atlantic cruise and, because of her notoriously outrageous flirtations, is made to take her fast-talking friend, Dorothy (Russell), with her as a chaperone. Cue the hijinks.
Song you'll know: "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend"
Hidden gem: Russell singing "Ain't There Anybody Here for Love" and objectifying the hell outta some Olympians
4. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Sharman, 1975)
A cult classic, Rocky Horror has spawned midnight screenings all over the world, hundreds of stage productions, and a dedicated following. Replete with off-the-wall, zany humour, Rocky combines elements of every genre from horror to sci-fi to romance to (of course) the musical. If you're looking to learn some of the audience callbacks that have been created as part of the Rocky fandom, you can check them out here. Get ready for a fun-filled trip to transsexual Transylvania--it'll have you quivering with antici....................................pation.
Song you'll know: Quite a few, I'd bargain, but you'll definitely know "The Time Warp" and "Sweet Transvestite."
Hidden gem: "I Can Make You a Man"
2. Singin' in the Rain (Kelly and Donen, 1952)
"Make 'em laugh, make 'em laugh, make 'em laugh!" sings happy-go-lucky musician, Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) in one of Singin' in the Rain's most iconic numbers. And that's exactly what Kelly and Donen's film does. One of the best (if not the best) films by Hollywood about Hollywood, Singin' in the Rain takes you on a musical joyride full of slapstick comedy, tap numbers, and of course, the famous unsynchronized voice gag. With stellar peformances by O'Connor and Kelly, not to mention Debbie Reynolds as Kelly's love interest and the hysterical Jean Hagen as movie studio diva, Lina Lamont, Singing' in the Rain has proven that it's earned its spot as one of the best musical films ever produced.
Song you'll know: The titular anthem.
Hidden gem: "Moses Supposes."
3. Swing Time (Stevens, 1936)
This list could never be complete without a Fred and Ginger musical. Widely considered to be one of their best productions, Swing Time is a screwball comedy about two talented dancers (played by Ginger and Fred, of course), who want to find success in their fields by partnering up--the only problem is that they can't seem to get along. A pretty cut-and-dry plot, yes, but the dancing more than makes up for it. It's hard not to appreciate Ginger Rogers's talent when she, to put it in a cliched way, "Does everything Fred does, but backwards and in heels." Watch out for their duet later in the film--it'll take your breath away.
Song you'll know: "The Way You Look Tonight" (Yes this song made its debut here)
Hidden gem: "Never Gonna Dance"
5. Little Shop of Horrors (Oz, 1986)
"Feed me, Seymour" shouts the giant-sized, man-eating Venus Flytrap accidentally created by well-meaning bumbler, Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis). If that doesn't grab your attention, I don't know what will. I don't want to give too much away in case you don't know the plot of this famous musical, but just prepare yourself for some very, very dark humour. Also, be on the lookout for Steve Martin's hilarious portrayal of a sadistic dentist which basically validates all of your childhood anxieities about getting your teeth cleaned.
Song you'll know: "Feed Me (Git It)" or "Somewhere That's Green"
Hidden Gem: "Dentist"
6. A Woman is a Woman (Godard, 1961)
Godard's self-reflexive foray into the musical genre, A Woman is a Woman confirms his status as one of the most ingenious filmmakers of the 20th century. A stripper, played by Anna Karina, longs for a baby but feels frustrated by her boyfriend's apathy. So, she decides to pursue another man to get her boyfriend jealous. Think it's a simple plot? Put it in Godard's hands and it becomes much deeper and more cerebral, without losing its comedic edge. I placed this at the end of the musical comedy marathon, because Godard created the film in an effort to pay homage to the American musical comedy. With Swing Time and other such films under your belt, A Woman is a Woman will become a lot more rewarding.
Song you'll know: Maybe the titutlar tune if you're really up on your European art cinema.
Hidden gem: really, the whole movie is a hidden gem to most North American audiences.