(no subject)

[heidi]

Bolded if I've seen it.

Comments if I have any to make :)

 

100. Let's Make Love (1960)

99. Miss Saigon
98. Bright Eyes (1934)
97. The Cotton Club (1984)
96. Lullaby Of Broadway (1951)
95. Breaking Glass (1980)
94. Sholay (1975)
93. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
92. The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg (1964)
91. Everyone Says I Love You (1996)  - Backstory for this - the title song was written by Burt Kalmar & Harry Ruby, who were the subjects of a Fred Astaire moviemusical from 1950 that Aaron & I saw the last night of my bar exam, and which was also Debbie Reynolds' feature film debut. A song from the film, Thinking Of You, was the song at our wedding - but we didn't know they'd done Everyone Says I Love You until we read the credits at the theater. It was a woobie-moment.

90. Cry Baby (1990) - gotta love Johnny Depp, singing. Makes you sure he can do Willy Wonka, too!
89. A Little Night Music (1977)
88. For Me And My Gal (1942)
87. Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
86. There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) -

85. Funny Face (1957)
84. Ziegfeld Follies (1946)
83. A Star Is Born (Barbara Streisand) (1976)
82. Anything Goes -

81. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
80. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
79. All that Jazz (1979)
78. Hedwig And The Angry Inch (2001)

77. Porgy And Bess (1959)
76. Dancer in the Dark (2000)
75. Dil Se (1998)
74. Shall We Dance? (1937)
73. Half A Sixpence (1967)
72. Godspell (1973)
71. Show Boat (1951) - when I saw this on Broadway back int he late 90s, I hated it. I still can't see it on tv without cringing and running away.
70. Gigi (1958) -
69. The Producers (1968) -

68. Kiss Me Kate (1953)
67. Doctor Dolittle (1967)
66. Gypsy (1962) - my big question of the weekend was whether I should let Harry see all of the film. My big answer was no, we would stop after June left.
65. The Jazz Singer (1927)
64. Easter Parade (1948)
63. Jailhouse Rock (1957)
62. Sweet Charity (1969)
61. Scrooge (1970)
60. Top Hat (1935)
59. Funny Girl (1968)
58. An American In Paris (1951)
57. Paint Your Wagon (1969)
56. Meet me in St Louis (1944) - I have much great and t00by love for this film, and once purchased a red velvet dress at Laura Ashley for my 21st birthday party because it was very similar to Judy Garland's in the Winter Ball scenes. I wish I still had it.
55. Hair (1979) - I walked out of it when my parents took me, when I was eight. I was seriously freaked out by the naked people.
54. On The Town (1949) - There's a diner in NYC that used to have all the Miss Turnstiles? Subway? stuff hanging on the walls. Such a great film, and the first musical filmed on location in New York.
53. Cinderella (1950) -

52. Carmen Jones
51. Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
50. Hello Dolly (1969)
49. Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) -  In the song when they're babies, Animal looks like a flower. I actually prefer the songs in the first Muppet Movie, though. I mean, Rainbow Connection! Honestly!
48. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
47. Summer Holiday (1963)
46. A Chorus Line (1985) - Actually, I prefer the stage version. It loses something on the big screen.
45. A Star Is Born (Judy Garland) (1954)
44. Tommy (1975) - I like the film, but I love the stage version. It feels more like what Pete really wantred...
43. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937) 

42. Starlight Express  - Words cannot express my hatred of this show. Plus, the night we saw it in London, it had been raining for hours, and the theater LEAKED and there was water on the tracks so it didn't even begin until pushing nine o'clock. I wish they'd cancelled the damned thing.
41. Carousel (1956)
40. 8 Mile (2002)
39. South Pacific (1958)
38. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) -

37. White Christmas (1954)

36. Guys and Dolls (1955) - also saw it on stage in NYC about 2 weeks after it opened back in ?1990? before Faith Prince was a big star and Nathan Lane was a meerkat. We went because we were crushing on Peter Gallagher. Ha.
35. Oklahoma (1955)
34. High Society (1956) - Oh, I wish I were Tracey. Sometimes. Sort of. Now, a remake of this with Ewan as Dexter, Nicole as Tracey and, um, can Robbie Williams act? as Mike would be a Good Thing.

33. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
32. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)  - does anyone remember the late 70s or early 80s tv version with River Phoenix?
31. Blood Brothers - Tell Me It's Not True! Actually, I saw this with the original cast in the UK, then with David & Shawn Cassidy in NYC - the Cassidy bros did an amazing job with the subtext, much to everyone's surprise. A clever casting decision made good.
30. Cats (1981-2002)
29. Fame (1980)
28. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
27. Jungle Book (1967) -

26. Annie (1982)  - the MOVIE? THE MOVIE? Wah, no, not the theatrical release! Stage show? Yeah, good. TV movie from 2000? Really good. The movie with Albert Finny? BADBADBAD.
25. Calamity Jane (1953)
24. The Blues Brothers (1980) -

23. The King And I (1956)
22. Evita (1996) -

21. Little Shop Of Horrors (1986) -
20. Phantom Of The Opera
19. Bugsy Malone (1976) -
18. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - saw it in 1982. Worked on it when I was in college, as PR director. Saw it with Phillip Schofield in the UK in 1992, and with Donny Osmond in San Francisco in 1993. Tis my first favorite musical. I still know all the words. And you can find all the colours in Chapter 9 of SoC
17. Cabaret (1972) -
16. Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971) - Saw it over the weekend. Harry is freaked by Oompa Loompas and I still prefer Veruca over all the other kids. It's not like she wanted to hurt anyone or anything - she just wanted to have fun!
15. Les Miserables - I have seen this 15 times. And I own the original UK cast recording, and the original 45 of On My Own. La.
14. The Lion King (1994) - Seen the movie. Seen the stage show. Seen the ickle version at Disney. Always love it.
13. Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Once More With Feeling -  So give me something to sing about!
12. My Fair Lady (1964) -
11. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) -
10. Moulin Rouge (2001) - Aaron hated it, and walked out, even, but that was possibly because he was coming down with menengitis, which puts a lot of pressure on your brain. But he still won't watch it; it gives him the wibblies.
9. Oliver! (1968)
8. Chicago (2002)
7. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
6. Singin' In The Rain (1952) - Saw it again just last night. Oh, I love this film! I say that a lot, don't I?
5. Mary Poppins (1964)
4. West Side Story (1961) -
3. The Wizard Of Oz (1939) -
2. The Sound Of Music (1965) -
1. Grease (1978) - Yes, this is beyond wonderful. And luckily, it wasn't diminished in the standings by the shockhorror that is Grease Two.

Now, can someone explain why Sunday In The Park With George and/or Secret Garden weren't on the list?

Comments

[photosinensis.livejournal.com]

Hmm...Joseph is still the BEST MUSICAL EVER!!!one11! Not only due to the genious writing, but its sheer simplicity and variety in the same show. And of course, Elvis!Pharoah (I'm still the only person I know that can pull that one off).

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

That's the thing about Joseph - it was written, originally, to be performed by kids, which is one of the reasons I probably liked it so much when I was 11. And in college, when I dated the incredibly gorgeous boy who played Gad. My stars, what a voice...

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Clearly what a voice. I googled him. He's now in the ensemble for the NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

:o Where did you get this list? It is atrocious! Is it all movie musicals? Because if so, it--just. No. No. NO NO NO NO *head explodes from COMPLETE DISAGREEMENT*

The Sound of Music is far away the best realisation of a movie musical ever. Grease doesn't even compare. I would say that even if I didn't hate Grease. The Sound of Music is a wonder as a film, so much better than the original and in terms of cinematic achievement and overall execution. Grease is, ugh. Grease is tripe.

Sunday in the Park might not count if they're only counting filmed movie musicals which seems to be the case (is this an AFI list? No wonder it SUCKS.) And certainly Secret Garden wouldn't because there is no filmed musical version of it to my knowledge. Also, BY WHAT STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION IS 8 MILE A MUSICAL? >:0

Now, a remake of this with Ewan as Dexter, Nicole as Tracey and, um, can Robbie Williams act? as Mike would be a Good Thing.

I am speechless with horror. Going away now. :D

[zorac.livejournal.com]

It's an as-voted-for-by-the-British-public list for a TV special (see here). It's not just movie musicals - there are a few stage-only ones in there, and plenty of the ones that were stage shows before (or indeed after) they were movies got mentioned for that.

And, yes, various of the talking heads on the TV show were "that's not a musical" about 8 Mile.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

I am so disappointed in the British public, haha. You can't compare movie musicals to stage productions. Let alone Eminem to Fred and Ginger. It just. Isn't. Done. And don't even get me started on Moulin Rouge, dude. :D

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. I am offended that The Secret Garden is not on this list. Damn, we should re-write the meme. Naturally, I will gak this meme, though, for I cannot resist the lure of musicals in any form. But still. *uses Secret Garden icon in protest*

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

I am insanely proud of the fact that I have that very same Playbill at home, 1992, original cast, thank you. :) I love the Secret Garden. but I am so offended that Fiddler is so far down on the list, and that Cy Coleman's brilliant City of Angels isn't on the list, nor Once on this Island, nor Assassins--in fact that all the emphasis on movie musicals practically did away with all the great Sondheim musicals. And, and, you can't *even* compare movie musicals to stage productions. It's a totally hopeless gesture. I mean, there's just no comparison between the stage realisation of the Sound of Music and the movie realisation. They are completely separate animals. The same with Thoroughly Modern Millie, to pull an example out of a hat from at least 50 different musicals-turned-movie I could think of off the top of my head. I mean, you just *don't* compare a priceless Rogers/Astaire movie to the stage production of Starlight Express (which I unlike Heidi, find delightful, though that might be because I saw it live at a fairly young age). You can't say "Cabaret is a great musical!" unless you clarify whether you're talking about the Hal Prince concept musical or the starkly different movie version. It is just! What is the point? British public, you disappoint me. :D Ugh, this is such a terrible list, haha. I would be outraged if it weren't that it's just! So! Wrong! that it is almost laughable.

*uses grave Sondheim icon in protest*

*hugs Julie*

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

I have it too! Check it out: OH YEAH BABY!!!! I had to dig through my scrapbooks. On this same trip I also saw Phantom, Les Mis, Will Rogers Follies, Miss Saigon, and Grand Hotel. *le sigh* I think the highlight of the trip was seeing John Cameron Mitchell as Dickon, though. I <3 him.

You're right. It's not fair to compare movie versions of musicals to the stage versions. Like Annie is my favorite musical of all times (for sentimental reasons, I suppose) and the movie BLOWS. At least the '82 movie does; I prefer the '99 Disney version, but neither compare to the stage version.

Did you see Andrea McCardle in Starlight Express?

I do wonder about Chicago, though. I really, really liked the movie (have not seen Moulin Rouge . . . was it a rip of Cabaret?) and wonder how it would compare to the stage version.

Have you seen the stage version of City of Angels? I have not, but the new HBO production looks intriguing to me.

Sound of Music is one of my favorite musicals, as is Camelot, and Fiddler. My mother used to sing Sunrise, Sunset to me when I was ickle.

I think the earlier version of translating musicals from stage to screen were more successful than the modern one -- the era of the huge movie musicals was very flamboyent, with beautiful costumery and sets that reminded a person of the stage. Not so anymore. There's a film version of Phantom the musical in the works; I'm kind of cringing at the thought.

*pats Aja* Are you still singing?

[no-remorse.livejournal.com]

have not seen Moulin Rouge . . . was it a rip of Cabaret?

Only a bit, it's more like a rip-off of La Boheme, La Traviata and Camille.

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. Le Angst.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

*wails* I just had the biggest longest reply to this and i lost it all. :(( WAH LJ WHY MUST YOU BE SO CRUEL. :((

will come back later and answer you, honest.

happy new year. :)

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Beautiful icon! : manipulates image from Amazon...

You know, I saw this in April or May of 1991, with John Cameron Mitchell and Mandy Patinkin...

It was, um, quite good.

: plays The Girl I Mean To Be, damned loud

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

Ooo, the album cover one is pretty too. Have you heard the London cast recording? It's quite different.

I saw all of the original cast except Mandy Patinkin. The second actor had just taken over. He was excellent, of course, but I had hoped to see Mandy.

It was a brilliant show nonetheless.

Oh, I <3 that song so much. I like the London version better, actually. Also, the lyrics in the London version of Lily's Eyes so very poignantly remind me of Harry . . . *dabs eyes* Overall, the Broadway cast recording is more pleasing, though. IMO.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

If the speechless is because Nicole isn't so grand as a singer, well, Grace Kelly can't really sing at all, although she at least wasn't dubbed...

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

Haha. The speechless is pretty much because, well, I *hate* Moulin Rouge with the fire of a thousand passionate blazing suns. While I like Ewan and think he's charismatic and nice to watch, there has always seemed to me to be something very fake about him in terms of "selling" a movie to me. Putting him in the role of my beloved C.K. Dexter Haven would be a travesty. And while I think Nicole Kidman is really a talented actress who could pull off the part of Tracy in a non-singing role, I shudder to think of her *singing* the part of Tracy, or trying to--I don't think Tracy is really a character that needs to sing at all.

But mainly, I just love the original Philadelphia Story so much, I think it is just simply a *perfect* romantic comedy--and I have always thought it was a huge huge mistake to tamper with it, even using Bing and Frank and Grace and Louis. It's just that the Philadelphia Story is seriously one of my favorite movies of all time, and you don't mess with perfection. You unfortunately suggested a combo of actors that I particularly *loathe* as a unit, haha, but my reaction would probably have been the same no matter who you suggested. :)

[marksykins.livejournal.com]

*protests Hedwig's lowly #80 rating*

Not very well-known, sure, but damned near perfect!

[miafitz.livejournal.com]

8 Mile is a musical? Also was wondering who played Kim when you saw Miss Saigon? :)

Mia

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Lea Salonga. I saw it in London in the summer of 1990, twice. First time, there was an understudy for Jonathan Pryce, second time there was an understudy for Lea, who I got to meet when she spoke at my college in 1992 (I have her autograph, said Heidi in a fangirly way).

The second time, the theater was so hot, it must've been over 90 degrees, but it was still great to see him as the Engineer!

[miafitz.livejournal.com]

That's fantastic. I have great admiration for her, being a Filipina myself (somehow I think glory is spread to me too, hee. I've also grown up to her songs pre-Miss Saigon). I saw Miss Saigon here in the Philippines but unfortunately it wasn't her that was playing that night (though Ces Campos, who was, was great too.) You have her autograph! I am so envious!

Anyway, have a happy new year!

Mia

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

I, too, saw Lea in New York, in 1999 when she did a special encore performance of Kim. I had never really liked the show before--earlier I had seen it in Chicago on its first tour in '93 and been unimpressed. But when I saw it that night it was a totally different show. She gave so much energy to her performance and the whole cast seemed to be enlivened because of her. She is my all-time favorite singer anywhere ever, and I am so so glad that I got to see her perform that part.

I got to talk with her and get her autograph afterwards too--she is absolutely lovely. Love love love her.

[miafitz.livejournal.com]

You got to meet her too? I'm just dying of jealousy now. *g* Somehow I think I'd have to catch her in some other country so I could meet her. It is so much harder to get to her here. I don't how it is there, but she's like Britney Spears big in the Philippines (We don't have that many international singers). It's nice to see another fan :D

[vado.livejournal.com]

I was going to comment on this in my LJ, but can't seem to get my thoughts together lately. Maybe later...

Anyway, I sat through a rundown of the entire list on Channel 4 last Sunday (approx. five hours viewing, not always from the edge of my seat I hasten to add).

They showed interviews with various linked people between musical clips. Anthony Stewart Head defended the Buffy oddity with great enthusiasm and raved in queeny fashion about "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (which he once toured with). Someone unexpected defended the inclusion of "8 Mile" - it was either Sally Ann Howes from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" or a Professor of Film Studies they'd roped in. I think I'd lost the will to live by that point.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Somewhere over three years ago, I saw ASH as Frank on Mtv's Rocky Horror Concert Thingy, and I was vaguely (no pun intended) wigged out - I don't think I realised, until that moment, that he was the brother of Murray Head of Jesus Christ Superstar and Chess, which should be on the list because of Someone Else's Story, if for no other reason, but then, everything became crystal clear.

[airemay.livejournal.com]

We need to do this meme but with STAGE SHOWS. Course, the list would change. I can't stand Grease on stage. I'm waaaaaaaay biased because I had a loathing experience while in it, but still, movie is better.

[no-remorse.livejournal.com]

Hm, I've seen only nineteen of those, although I own the soundtracks to Carmen Jones and The King and I. (They were old records with gorgeous covers, I just couldn't resist.) Oh and a Grease soundtrack from 1975. (There is a reason why I don't visit Ebay regularly, I'd broke within seconds.)

I don't watch musicals all too often, simply because I lack the patience to listen to songs, I might not like (What explains that I've seen The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (But then Jacques Demy rocks) but not The Sound of Music) with the notable exception of number 76, which was so heart-breakingly sad that it made my top five list of my favourite movies ever.

[orangewatcher.livejournal.com]

The lack of Chess offends me. That being said, where's Into the Woods? Follies? The two best Sondheims and they're not there!? I love Superstar, of course; it's my favourite show, but the movie's damn weird, and no Evita? Huh? They have Joseph, which I just hatehatehate and no Evita? (I am somewhat mollified by the inclusion of Starlight Express, which is probably one of my most favourite shows of the past twenty years) but no Rent? What gives. It's a very skewed look at movie musicals, which gives bias to the older productions because they were in the hayday of movie musicals. But thank god they included the good version of Fame.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Actually, they did have Evita.

The Madonna movie.

Not the Elane Page version. Not the Patti LuPone/Mandy Patinkin version from the US.

Madonna.

Now, I enjoy watching the film. But...

Oh, but, no.

[orangewatcher.livejournal.com]

They did? I didn't see that. And I have heard the UK, US and movie casts...and I prefer the movie. Why? I think Antonio is far better than Mandy! and the orchestration in the movie is to die for.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think Antonio did a fine job, I'm just a Mandy fangirl - I've seen him in Evita, Secret Garden and Falsettos, as well as nonmusical movies like Princess Bride, and I just adore him, affected as his voice can sometimes be.

[orangewatcher.livejournal.com]

I generally think he's overrated *g* Although that might be because I saw the Aust. cast production of Secret Garden, and compared to the two guys in that, I was going to judge anyone harshly when I heard other recordings.

I do think Mandy's great in Princess Bride, though.