Top 10 Movie Musicals

I love movies. I love the sets, the cinematography, the plot, the characters, and so on. Lavish costumes are a plus. And if it's a musical, even better! There have been many stage musicals that have made it to the big screen, and if you're looking for fun, catchy entertainment, try one of my top ten picks.

10. The Wizard of Oz (1939) - Based on the children's book by L. Frank Baum (a worthy read!), it was originally adapted for the stage and premiered in 1902. The classic film captivated me as a child. The colors. The munchkins. The lines ("Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?"). I wanted to be swept away into another world, just like Judy Garland.

9. The Music Man (1962) - Adapted from the 1957 Broadway play, I remember watching this movie and laughing and laughing. A tricky salesman attempts to bamboozle a whole town by starting a boys band. Many hilarious tunes abound, including my favorites, "Marian the Librarian," and "Gary, Indiana." (As a child I was sure the song was about 'Gary and Deanna,' although I wasn't sure who those people were in the movie)

8. Grease (1978) - Based on the 1972 Broadway musical, this was the 70's High School Musical. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John sing and dance their way into each others' hearts... and into the audiences' as well. Just try not to sing along with "Summer Nights" or "You're the One That I Want."

7. Annie (1982) - From the 1976 Broadway played based on the comic strip, "Little Orphan Annie," I can't help but love this film because of it's inclusion of Carol Burnett as the nasty Miss Hannigan, proprietress of an orphanage during the Great Depression. I particularly laugh when Miss Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks sing the song "Sign". Carol is at her comedic best.

6. Moulin Rouge (2001) - OK, so this movie hasn't been a musical on Broadway, but it is based on the opera La Traviata, so I thought I could sneak it in the list. A love story with a bittersweet ending, it is an onslaught of colors, music, costumes and camera angles right up until the tragic finale. I laughed and I cried, and never took my eyes off the screen.

5. My Fair Lady (1964) - The smash hit 1956 Broadway musical adaptation, starring the beautiful Audrey Hepburn. Eliza Doolittle, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks is made into a lady by the snooty Professor Higgins. The two yell at each other every chance they get, and you can't help but laugh when Eliza sings "Just You Wait." This entire film is fantastic.

4. Chicago (2002) - From the 1975 Broadway musical, this movie chronicles the nefarious dealings of women inmates, the prison matron, and the hot shot lawyer working to free the main characters. This film is flashy, sexy and dirty. and I dare you not to love it when the girls' of "Murderess Row" sing the "Cell Block Tango."

3. Evita (1996) - From London's West End in 1978 this is a musical about the life of Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina from 1946, until she died in 1952. Evita was a major political figure and feminists of her day. This film shows her a certain amount of honor but doesn't shy from pointing out her faults. I personally love every song from this movie, and highly recommend it.

2. Little Shop of Horrors (1986) - The 1982 off-Broadway musical is actually based on a 1960 low-budget film of the same name. Hilarious from start to finish, watch as Seymour tries to feed the voracious appetite of Audrey II, a talking alien plant with a taste for human flesh. You'll recognize much of the cast, and I guarantee you'll laugh.

1. West Side Story (1961) - The 1957 Broadway musical adaptation is my all time favorite musical. Another tragedy ending in the death of a young lover, this is a modernized version of Romeo and Juliet. Rival gangs fight for dominance in their little corner of the world, snapping their fingers and dancing their way through the film. Every number makes me want to dance. You can't hear "I Feel Pretty" and not catch the enthusiasm and happiness of the song. This movie is a pleasure to watch.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1902_stage_play)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Music_Man

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Music_Man_(1962_film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(musical)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(film)

http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/originalmovies/highschoolmusical/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_(musical)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_(film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Orphan_Annie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulin_Rouge!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Fair_Lady

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Fair_Lady_(film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evita_(film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evita_(musical)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_End_theatre

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Perón

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(musical)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(2002_film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Shop_of_Horrors_(musical)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Shop_of_Horrors_(film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story_(film)