American in Paris
I know I have a lot of loves/additions/obsessions/cravings/habits *please delete as appropriate* well I have to add another one to the ever-growing list, old-Hollywood musicals. MGM Musicals to be precise, especially if they have Gene Kelly in them, and I have just found out that the BFI are celebrating the greatest of the golden age of Hollywood during November and December by showing the best musicals the studio has ever produced.
High Society
All my favourites are in the mix – American in Paris, High Society, Seven Brides and Seven Brothers, Meet Me in St Louis, Singin’ in the Rain and my all time favourite On the Town, where three sailors dance and sing their way around New York whilst on 24-hour shore leave – LOVE it!!!
Singin' in the Rain
“That’s quite a dress you almost have on,” Gene Kelly, An American in Paris
American in Paris
First up on my list of movies to check out is going to be to see Gene Kelly as An American in Paris. 60 years after it swept the Oscars this toe-tapping masterpiece has been digitally restored. This a close favourite of mine behind On the Town and High Society, but it is a classic and I think it may be responsible for my love of Paris. I just love Gene Kelly as the former GI who dreams of finding success an artist who meets the gorgeous Leslie Caron. Best bit other than the fabulous backlot-shot sets, has to be the ballet finale – so spectacular!!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XMXAleA1eQ&feature=youtu.be
Get down to the BFI Southbank until November 20 to see this classic – I can’t wait. Ooh also you get to see three musicals for the price of two during November and December – how amazing is that.
On the Town
I actually squealed when I saw that the 1949 dance spectacular, On the Town was on the BFI Southbank schedule, as I adore this movie so much. I first remember watching this flick with my Aunty Tracey when I was little, actually I think my love for musicals in general comes from spending time with my Aunty T; but this film was always my favourite as I just loved Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin as the three sailors and Ann Miller, Betty Garrett and Vera-Ellen as the romantic interests.
This movie also brought into the world such an amazing score by Leonard Bernstein, which features ‘New York, New York, it’s a wonderful town’, love that scene so much. Also, I think this musical might have been one of the first to be shot on location and it worked amazingly with the studio production dance scenes.
My fav three songs/dance routines has to be ‘Come Up to My Place’, the ‘Prehistoric Man’, and ‘Count on Me’ mainly because Alice Pearce as the neurotic blind date, Lucy Schmeeler.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFDJ9rhYNXU
On the Town hits BFI Southbank on December 8, 10 and 22. Is it wrong that I want to go all three days?
Meet Me in St Louis
Just in time for Christmas is the amazing, Meet Me in St Louis with Judy Garland singing, ‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas’. This film is just pure joy, despite its dark undertones, as it follows a family pondering whether to move from St Louis to New York. I love the wit in this musical, but most of all it has such great songs, ‘The Boy Next Door’, ‘Skip to My Lou’ and ‘The Trolley Song’. Great pre-Christmas movie, and hits the screens at the BFI Southbank from December 16-29.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Like musicals? Let me know which one your favourite is. I am so excited about the musical series – now if only I had more time to see them all!!!
[Pics: BFI]
