Gigi (WB/Turner)
The picture and sound quality are tops, but the special features are nil, so even
though this is one of the greatest musicals ever filmed, you may want to stick
to TV reruns.
Going My Way (Universal)
Released as a double feature with Holiday Inn, this Academy Award
winning film looks and sounds great -- but deserved a classier release.
There is no commentary and the special features are not in the least
special -- meaningless production notes, etc. Bing Crosby and Barrie
Fitzgerald are pure magic, and the songs are still wonderful, but
catching the TV reruns that occur every year around Christmas time will
serve just as well.
The Gondoliers - Opera Australia
(Image)
This production originated at Canada's Stratford Theatre, and is as
witty as it is visually arresting. The cast has the vocal and
comic chops required, making this particularly enjoyable. Gilbert
& Sullivan fans will be delighted, and those new to the genre will
get to see what all the fuss is about. The plot has two Venetian
gondoliers learning that one of them is a king. A few comic lyrics have been
updated with local Australian humor, which will do little to detract
from the rest of the world enjoying this one. The Stratford cast did a
video version that has not (as of this writing) made it to DVD -- hope
that changes, because that was a first rate performance too.
Another TV version of The Gondoliers was done as part of the so-called
"Complete Gilbert & Sullivan" series -- it stinks worse
than the Grand Canal at high noon, and should be avoided at all costs.
Gosford Park (Universal)
This brilliant upstairs-downstairs murder mystery set in a 1930s English country
manor house is definitely not a musical, but it did much to resuscitate the
international reputation of British composer Ivor Novello. His songs and
shows were considered "too British" for American audiences, so
this was the first chance many US theatre buffs had to hear his
melodies. The impossibly handsome Jeremy Northam portrays Novello and
sings several of the composer's most memorable songs with
sensitivity and style. (Northam's unseen concert pianist brother assists
with some of the piano playing.) The irony is that Novello himself could not
sing at all, and would never have entertained a private party as he does in this
film. The commentary tracks and "making of" featurette are
packed with fascinating information -- a feast for history buffs and
Anglophiles. Even if the film were not such a rip-roaring overall treat,
it would be worth owning just for the songs.
La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein
(Virgin Classics)
This is one of a series of Offenbach operettas restaged and videotaped in recent
years -- and what fun it is to see an 1867 hit still win laughs.
Felicity Lott stars as a randy monarch who's obsession with men in
uniform leads her to make a dimwitted private (handsome Yann Beuron)
commander of her wartime army. The comedy is broad, the singing is lush,
and both the sound and widescreen picture quality of this live
performance are outstanding. Excellent subtitles. If you are looking for
an introduction to Offenbach, this is a great choice.
The Great Ziegfeld (WB/Turner)
Despite being way too long, this is one of the few musicals to win the
Academy Award for Best Picture. Unfortunately, WB was in one of its
cheap moods, and did not bother including a commentary track -- merely a
meager "making of" featurette and a premiere night newsreel.
Yet another film you may as well catch on a TV rerun.
Guys and Dolls (MGM)
Broadway buffs get to see original cast members Stubby Kaye and Vivian
Blaine recreate their show stoppng moments; unfortunately, viewers
also have to endure the meager singing of
Marlon Brando. This stage hit deserved better star casting, but the
overall production is handsome and at times highly entertaining. Frank
Loesser's new song "The Eyes of a Woman in Love" is pleasant
but a poor replacement for "I've Never Been in Love Before."
The standard DVD edition has no special features, but a special edition
includes frills galore -- none of which make this the great film musical
it could have been.
Gypsy (Hallmark)
The film version starring a dubbed Rosalind Russell is not nearly as bad as some
people suggest, but it can't hold a candle to this excellent TV
production, which includes the uncut stage libretto and score, as well
as a cast where everyone handles their own singing. Bette
Midler is a socko Rose, Cynthia Gibb is a surprisingly good Louise,
Peter Riegert is excellent as Herbie, and character cameos go to such
top talents as Ed Asner and Christine Ebersole. The original choreography by
Jerome Robbins is in place, and it never hurts to have costuming done by
the incredible Bob Mackie. There is a full length commentary track by
the producers with lots of fun behind the scenes information, which is
more than most TV musicals on DVD ever get. Very highly
recommended.
Hamlet (Image)
The 1964 Broadway revival of Shakespeare's classic tragedy was packed
with musical stage stars. Filmed live in performance,
it did not live up to Richard Burton's expectations, so he exercised a
clause in his contract and blocked the release of this in theatres. All
copies were thought lost until one turned up -- in Burton's closet! He
is electrifying in the lead, Alfred Drake is suitably hateful as
King Claudius, Eileen Herlie is Queen Gertrude, John Cullum is a
powerful Laertes, George Rose has a blast as the First Gravedigger, and
the cast also includes Hume Cronyn as Polonius, Barnard Hughes in
several small roles, and an unseen John
Gielgud as the voice of the ghost. There are some technical glitches
that fans will happily overlook to get this priceless look back at a
legendary stage production.
Hans Christian Andersen (MGM)
Danny Kaye is quite delightful, but since MGM went cheapskate and
offered no special features on the DVD release, you are just as well
off seeing this on a holiday TV rerun.
The Happiest Millionaire (Disney)
Yes, it is far too long, and the plot eventually falls apart,
but a star-studded cast and a tuneful Sherman Brothers
score make this a "coulda been" that's still worth seeing. The
"Road Show Edition" DVD offers scenes left out of the standard
edition, as well as an overture and intermission music -- added scenes
only make the ending more pallid. Not so much as a featurette or
trailer is thrown in. But John Davidson never looked more
dashing, and Tommy Steele's renditions of songs like "Fortuosity"
suggest he might have had a major screen career if big musicals not
fallen out of fashion in the late 1960s. High Camp Alert -- non-singers
Geraldine Fitzgerald and Gladys Cooper are a hoot in the bitchy duet
"There Are Those."
Hello Dolly (20th Century Fox)
Not the film it could have been, but with songs by Jerry Herman,
choreography by Michael Kidd and some dynamite vocals by Barbra
Streisand, there is plenty to enjoy here. The lavish sets and costumes
add plenty of period charm. Unfortunately, the special features on the
DVD are limited to a 1969 featurette and trailers for other Fox releases.
Not much more than one gets during a TV rerun.
High Society (WB/Turner)
MGM's musical version of The Philadelphia Story boasts a Cole Porter
score and a stellar cast. Just to see and hear Bing Crosby team up with
Louis Armstrong for "Now You Has Jazz" is worth the
price of admission; likewise there is a memorable duet of "Well,
Did You Evah?" featuring Crosby and Frank Sinatra. No commentary
track, but Celeste Holm helms a "Porter in Hollywood"
featurette. Lots of fun, but your call.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
(Disney)
An underestimated masterpiece, this film has one of Stephen Schwartz's
best scores and sensational Disney animation. A great commentary track
and some enjoyable special features -- including a look at how one song
("A Guy Like You") works in various languages. Highly
recommended!
It's Always Fair Weather (WB/ Turner)
Gene Kelly's last major MGM musical is an underestimated winner, with
some unforgettable dance numbers and an entertaining plot. Intended as a
sequel to On the Town, it evolved into the story of three army buddies
who reunite ten years after World War II. Their initial differences
almost ruin things until a common challenge brings them together. Few
sights could match the trio (Kelly, Dan Dailey & Michael Kidd)
strutting their stuff with trash can lids strapped to their feet, or
Kelly tap-dancing through busy city streets on roller skates. Along with
outtake numbers and cartoons, there is a highly entertaining
"making of" documentary -- with yours truly among a stellar
line up of experts. If you don't know this film, you are in for a real
surprise.
Jerry Herman's Broadway (Varese Sarabande)
This all-star concert was taped live at the Hollywood Bowl, with the L.A.
Philharmonic conducted by Don Pippin. Bea Arthur revisits Mame's
"Man in the Moon," George Hearn recreates "I Am What I Am
from La Cage, and Carol Channing descends Hello Dolly's staircase one
more time. Wonderful performances by the likes of Michael Feinstein,
Leslie Uggams and Lee Roy Reams add to the fun, and Herman himself sings
and plays piano for the finale. An orgy of pleasures for showtune buffs!
Back to Musicals on DVD Index
Back to Musicals101 Homepage |