Movie Musicals Through Movie Musicals Through the Decadesthe Decades

By Lauren MajorBy Lauren Major

Early 20Early 20thth Century Century

The first movie musical was released The first movie musical was released in 1927. It was called in 1927. It was called The Jazz The Jazz SingerSinger..

Other important films in the 1920s Other important films in the 1920s were were Moulin RougeMoulin Rouge and and Show Boat. Show Boat.

Note: Note: Moulin RougeMoulin Rouge was remade in was remade in 1934, 1941, and 2001.1934, 1941, and 2001.

Late 20Late 20thth Century Century

In 1965, In 1965, The Sound of MusicThe Sound of Music was was released. It is still widely popular released. It is still widely popular today. today.

The first version of The first version of Willy Wonka and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory wasthe Chocolate Factory was released released in 1971; the remake directed by Tim in 1971; the remake directed by Tim Burton starring Johnny Depp (of Burton starring Johnny Depp (of course) was released in course) was released in

The BeatlesThe Beatles

The Beatles released five motion The Beatles released five motion pictures while they were together: pictures while they were together: A A Hard Day’s NightHard Day’s Night, , Help!Help!, , Magical Magical Mystery TourMystery Tour, , Yellow SubmarineYellow Submarine, and , and Let It BeLet It Be. .

The new movie The new movie Across the UniverseAcross the Universe released 2007 was also comprised of released 2007 was also comprised of new versions of the Beatles’ songs.new versions of the Beatles’ songs.

The 21The 21stst Century Century

Musicals have gotten much more popular lately; Musicals have gotten much more popular lately; this phenomenon is mostly due to this phenomenon is mostly due to Disney’s High Disney’s High School MusicalSchool Musical, the overproduced film that , the overproduced film that launched Zac Efron’s career. This movie has launched Zac Efron’s career. This movie has gotten many kids and pre-teens interested in gotten many kids and pre-teens interested in musicals, causing Disney to make big bucks on musicals, causing Disney to make big bucks on Broadway, booting out other (better) musicals.Broadway, booting out other (better) musicals.

Other popular movie musicals include Other popular movie musicals include RentRent, , Phantom of the OperaPhantom of the Opera, , ChicagoChicago, , The ProducersThe Producers, , DreamgirlsDreamgirls, , HairsprayHairspray, , Moulin Rouge!Moulin Rouge!, and , and Sweeney ToddSweeney Todd. .

PBS has also recently aired Stephen Sondheim’s PBS has also recently aired Stephen Sondheim’s musical musical Company Company starring Raúl Esparza.starring Raúl Esparza.

In The FutureIn The FutureMusicals scheduled for release in 2008:Musicals scheduled for release in 2008:

Footloose, a jukebox musical starring Zac Footloose, a jukebox musical starring Zac Efron. Efron.

High School Musical 3, starring You-Know-High School Musical 3, starring You-Know-Who.Who.

Mamma Mia!, another jukebox musical. Mamma Mia!, another jukebox musical. NineNine Repo! The Genetic OperaRepo! The Genetic Opera The Cheetah Girls 3, another Disney sequel. The Cheetah Girls 3, another Disney sequel.

Why put musicals on the silver Why put musicals on the silver screen?screen?

The actors don’t have to over act or The actors don’t have to over act or project so much. project so much.

Cameras and special effects give Cameras and special effects give new perspective to the story. new perspective to the story.

If an actor or actress can’t sing, voice If an actor or actress can’t sing, voice overs are always an (unfortunate) overs are always an (unfortunate) option.option.

Better props and sets.Better props and sets.

The Cons of Musical FilmsThe Cons of Musical Films

Generally, the theatre gives a level of intimacy to Generally, the theatre gives a level of intimacy to the whole thing. the whole thing.

The Broadway community is (sometimes) nicer The Broadway community is (sometimes) nicer than the Hollywood community. than the Hollywood community.

After seeing a show, a person can go to the stage After seeing a show, a person can go to the stage door and meet the cast members. door and meet the cast members.

You make more friends in a theatre and at the You make more friends in a theatre and at the stage door than anyone usually does at a movie stage door than anyone usually does at a movie theatre/store. theatre/store.

There is no rating system, so a show that would There is no rating system, so a show that would be rated R or NC-17 on film could become be rated R or NC-17 on film could become mainstream within the community, which is mainstream within the community, which is important. important.

Why make musicals at Why make musicals at all?all?

Songs give voice to a character that Songs give voice to a character that would generally not be able to say would generally not be able to say the things that he or she would not the things that he or she would not usually be able to say out loud, usually be able to say out loud, rather like an aside except it’s mixed rather like an aside except it’s mixed in with dialogue. in with dialogue.

The way a character sings often The way a character sings often helps reflect his or her character. helps reflect his or her character.