Now for anyone that is unaware, I love musicals. I think it started from when I was little and the BBC would screen Fred Astaire films on a Saturday morning. I like all kinds of musicals and I have a well thought out classification process.
Does it have Fred Astaire in it?
Great songs, crap dancing
Great dancing, crap songs
For example, Calamity Jane is classified as great songs, crap dancing and no Fred.
Whereas Seven Brides for Seven Brothers has great dancing, crap songs and no Fred.
It is worth noting here that "crap songs" doesn't mean all the songs are crap just that the good ones are outnumbered by the not so good ones.
We can then overlay the broad categories with my very specific Favourite Numbers classification, which can make up for a lot.
So by this very scientific and objective method here are some of my favourite musicals.
- Calamity Jane. Great songs, crap dancing, no Fred, favourite number is Deadwood Stage - you get about three songs in one. A special mention to Howard Keel, one well built cowboy.
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Crap songs, great dancing, no Fred, favourite number is the barn raising, or Going Courtin'. Howard Keel again as big hairy backwoodsman.
- Kiss Me Kate. Great songs, how could they not be from Cole Porter? Great dancing, how could it not be with Bob Fosse as choreographer? Still, no Fred, but woohoo here comes Howard Keel in a comedy beard and tights. Favourite numbers - Too Darned Hot - Ann Miller is a tap dancing fiend, Brush Up You Shakespear, pretty much all of the rest of them.
- Meet me in St Louis. Really just for the songs and Judy Garland.
Well there are plenty more but I think my favourite musical has to be Easter Parade.
What doesn't it have?
Fred Astaire, so great dancing.
Judy Garland, so great singing.
Ann Miller, more great dancing.
Really there isn't much more I want in a musical.
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Ah, but Seven brides also has Jacques D'Amboise (I think he's Ephraim but not positive... hard to follow those names). I had the hugest crush on Jacques back when he was dancng for NYC Ballet... what a cutie.
Thank you! I have now watched the Afternoon of a Faun three times through and think I need to get 7 brides out soon...
Hmmm... looks like they're calling him Frank (for frankinsense) in that clip...
And Russ Tamblyn... also a cutie.
(leaving the comment in this post because the other doesn't seem to have a comment option?)
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