The 10 best film musicals

[litlover12]

Telegraph film critic David Gritten recently offered his list, which I found via movie_greats. He had one or two good choices on there, and a lot of terrible ones, and omitted a few essential ones. So I'm setting this right by making my own list. (Not that he'll ever see it, but I'll feel better.)

I'm trying to be as objective as possible, so some of my favorites (like The Court Jester) got left out, in favor of some that are, objectively speaking, greater musical achievements (like West Side Story). The top three do happen to be my top three favorite musical films, though.

1. Singin’ in the Rain


2. My Fair Lady


3. The Sound of Music


4. An American in Paris


5. Les Misérables


6. Gigi


7. Top Hat


8. The Band Wagon


9. 1776


10. West Side Story

Anyone else want to try their hand at a top 10 film musicals list?

Comments

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

Top Ten Musicals for me? Here goes nothing! (Also, I am completely biased and was surprised that he had a few that I put down. Also the order of 3-10 can change at any given moment depending my mood. ;)

1. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
2. Singing in the Rain
3. Sweeney Todd (Don't judge me, I love Sondheim)
4. Beauty and the Beast
5. Sound of Music
6. Calamity Jane
7. Take me out to the Ballgame
8. Mary Poppins
9. Meet me in St. Louis
10. White Christmas

Honorable Mention: (ala #11) On the Town

Also, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers BARELY edges out Singing in the Rain as my favorite.

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

"the order of 3-10 can change at any given moment depending my mood. ;) "

Heh, I know that feeling. :-) "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a fun one! And I considered "Beauty and the Beast" for my own list.

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

I think for me the list is probably musicals that I enjoy the most. I mean, sentimentally I like "Summer Stock" because Gene Kelly did it just for Judy Garland. (That ALWAYS makes me cry!) However, it's not one that I would watch if it were on TV every week. ;) Decisions in cutting favorites are always difficult.

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was sweet. :-)

[digne.livejournal.com]

Uhg! That's guys list is meh! Meet Me in St. Louis may have good musical numbers but the book is terrible. I could never warm to it. And Grease?

OK, now this is going to be hard (in no order).

Les Misérables
An American in Paris
My Fair Lady
Mary Poppins
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Beauty and the Beast
Music Man (not high art but I just love it)
Fiddler on the Roof

That's 8. I'd need to watch a few more to find things to add.

I haven't seen Singing in the Rain in years *runs to go hide* -- I loved it when I saw it so ...

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

I'm very fond of "The Music Man" myself! I consider it one of my runners-up.

I can't stand "Grease" -- it has one or two good songs, but I just hate the story. And the story in "Meet Me in St. Louis" used to drive me crazy when I was a kid. Jaded little Army brat that I was, I couldn't believe they were all making such a fuss over having to move JUST ONE TIME in their lives. :-)

[nurrantiel.livejournal.com]

I don't know what all would be my top 10, but I'd have to have Fiddler on the Roof! That and My Fair Lady are pretty much my ultimate movie musicals.

[modmerseygirl.livejournal.com]

What a great list! :)