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Combining as it does the elements of drama, comedy, music, dance, photography, and design, the film musical is a unique and favored genre, with, it would seem, almost unlimited possibilities for artistic expression and satisfying entertainment. This potential has, at times, been realized with particular success. Some of the best-loved films in motion-picture history have been musicals. And, with the exception of several MGM originals and a few of the show-business biographies, the most admired musical films have been those adapted from the stage. Of the seven musicals that have won the Academy Award for Best Picture, four-West Side Story, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, and Oliver!-had their origins in the theatre.
However, the transfer of a production from stage to screen is, to say the least, a precarious affair. Many of Broadway's most successful shows have bombed on celluloid. Why does this happen?
In an attempt to answer that question, film writer Michael B. Druxman here provides an excellent survey of the movie musical, focusing on twenty-five musicals adapted from the stage. The films span three decades, and hits as well as flops are included.
What happens when a musical play is adapted from the stage to the screen? Should the resulting film be a carbon copy of the play, or is it better to utilize the screen's greater flexibility to create a new, original, and completely different work of art? Can one go too far in this direction, and by tampering with a script divest an established hit of the appealing qualities that made it popular in the first place? Or, is it true that, as Norman Jewison said in speaking of his enormously popular film, Fiddler on the Roof, "A bad musical film is one that sticks to the play"?
On the other hand, can a movie version that is too imaginative and opulent distract audiences from the plot and score and smother a production that was successful in the theatre? More specifically, how did the producers and/or directors of the films highlighted in this volume approach their material? How were the productions received? These and other important questions regarding movie musicals are dealt with extensively herein.
Some of the films treated at length are Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, Pal Joey, Damn Yankees, Porgy and Bess, Gypsy, Finian's Rainbow, Cabaret, Man of La Mancha, and Jesus Christ Superstar. A full chapter is devoted to each film; plots, characters, songs, musical scores, stars (singers, actors, dancers), directors, producers, composers, costumes, sets, choreography-all are given their due. In addition to the twenty-five chapters on individual movies, there is a background introduction to the genre.
And, of course, there are photographs-over 200 of them! All the twenty-five musicals discussed in detail are well represented, but there are over 50 stills from other musical films as well-from The Vagabond King (1930) to Hair (1979).
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Most authentic book compilation on the Oregon Trail I ever read. The way the diaries are brought to life from over 170 years ago is a remarkable achievement. Top book of year so far for me for today June 01, 2024 review Candice
This author is a breathe of fresh air in a world of lies and coverups. He brings ancient writings and new science to bring light to mankind. In this amazing work, the well known plato stories from antiquity are now put alongside this new discovery of tablets from beginning of time. This is the most complete explanation of Atlantis every brought to the public. Shame on the governments of Egypt and the world for hiding WHO BUILT THE PHYRAMIDS OF GIZA AND THE SPHINX. Once I read this book I knew why they hid this knowledge. They don't want a population to know how great the world used to be compared to know.
Randomly stumbled upon this book and I am shocked that I haven’t heard about it before. It’s hands down the best story I’ve read in years. People need to read this book. It needs to be turned into a book. This story is just plain awsome. M
This soulful book of personal poetry brought me into the past and into the present---and into my heart.
Read the first book and this 2nd one did not disappoint! Loved every chapter. More please!