Top Ten Favourite Musicals

 The 1920's saw a technological leap forward that would change cinema forever; namely, the introduction of sound. The Jazz Singer (1927) featured the first sequence of synchronized sound in a widely distributed feature film, and was met with immediate success. From its very inception, the use of sound in cinema was linked with music, and more specifically yet singing, so the connection to musical theater was recognized and explored immediately.

 Early successes of the pre-sound cinema, like Buster Keaton, one of the great silent comedians,  fell to the wayside in favor of more musical fare. Stars who could sing and dance, like Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, flourished during the early era of the "talkies". During this time different genres fell in and out of popularity, for instance Universal's horror pictures were very popular in the 30's but not so much in the 40's, but the musical lasted in Old Hollywood because it adapted to public outcry. War films becoming popular? Lets make South Pacific.

Unfortunately times would change and the musical would have to meet its maker. The rise of television coincided with the rise of suburbia, which allowed people to watch a show in their living room rather than travel into the cities to see a flick. The rise of New Hollywood, an industry known for a changing of the guard and refusal to commit to old rules, brought forth a disdain for the musical affair. Frankly, if I was an audience member of the 60's and was subjected to Clint Eastwood's musical "talent" in Paint Your Wagon (1969) I'd get sick of musicals too. Films like Sound of Music (1965) and Doctor Dolittle (1967) didn't reflect the styles, emotions and politics of the time.  

The musical has never gone away, Broadway genius' like Bob Fosse have been able to turn ashes into gold, but there's no denying that it hasn't been- and will never be- as popular as it was in Old Hollywood. With that in mind, here are my top ten favourite musicals. Click on the individual title for a link to the review. (Note: Not all films have been reviewed)

1. All That Jazz (1979)

2. Cabaret (1972)

3. 42nd Street (1933)

4. Young Girls of Rocheforte (1967)

5. Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

6. Jailhouse Rock (1957) 

7. Singin in the Rain (1952)

8. Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

9. Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

10. Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)