Classic Broadway Musicals at Home

by Jeffrey Lyons, film critic

Although I have been a film critic since 1970, my perspective on movies changed when I became a parent. I became more cautious about the effects that a movie might have on younger viewers, especially when watched at home in an intimate family setting. Selecting appropriate films to see as a family can be a challenge at times for parents.

There are vast collections of films available, but many are unknown or forgotten by the latest generation. Too often, wonderful titles get overlooked in favor of more recent, recognizable titles. This is especially true of the older, lavish Hollywood movie musicals. I have selected a few of my favorites for you to share with your family.

The films I have chosen here are based on Broadway shows (with the exception of Meet Me in St. Louis, which became a Broadway show in 1989, based on the 1944 film!). Some are especially relevant to New York families, since they have characters who live here and travel far away (Brigadoon); characters who live far away and decide to relocate here (Fiddler on the Roof, Meet Me in St. Louis); or characters who are famous city icons (Damn Yankees).

All of these classics have memorable songs, lush color photography and great stars. If you were fortunate enough to have seen these films or the original shows as a youngster, then you can enjoy them again with your own children or grandchildren. If not, you will appreciate discovering some of the greatest performances of the past yourself.

Brigadoon was filmed in 1954 on the MGM lot instead of on location in Scotland, but it is faithful to the Broadway musical which opened in 1947. It stars Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse, with songs by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe. Choreography is by Gene Kelly, who was inspired by the work of Agnes de Mille for the Broadway show. (108 minutes.)

While traveling on a hunting trip to Scotland, two Americans stumble upon the magical village of Brigadoon, whose inhabitants only awaken one day every one hundred years. Tommy, one of the Americans, falls in love with Fiona, a Brigadoon lass. His friend persuades him to return to his fianc�e in New York, but Tommy cannot forget Fiona. He returns to Scotland only to find that Brigadoon has disappeared. Believing that "love conquers all," Tommy wondrously reunites with Fiona.

Brigadoon has an enchanting mood and reveals why Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse are considered one of Hollywood's greatest dance duos. Listen for "Almost Like Being in Love."

Carousel was a big hit on Broadway in 1945 and was made into a film in 1956. Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones and Cameron Mitchell are the stars. Music by Richard Rogers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. (128 minutes.)

A carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, falls in love with a farm girl named Julie; they marry in spite of the objections of her family and friends. When Julie tells Billy that she is expecting a baby, he pulls a hold-up to get money. Tragically, Billy falls on his knife and dies. He returns to earth 15 years later to tell his story and to advise his young daughter on avoiding the mistakes he made in his life.

Many familiar songs originated in Carousel, including "You'll Never Walk Alone," "June is Bustin' Out All Over" and "If I Loved You." The first choice for the part of Billy was Frank Sinatra, but he quit after learning that the cinemascope process required each scene to be filmed twice. Gordon MacRae was selected, and his chemistry with Shirley Jones is terrific.

Damn Yankees won the Tony Award for Best Musical of 1955 and played over 1,000 performances. The movie was made in 1958, starring Tab Hunter, Ray Walston and Gwen Verdon, who also starred as Lola in the Broadway show. Music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, with choreography by Bob Fosse. (110 minutes.)

New York baseball fans will enjoy the plight of Joe Boyd, a middle-aged realtor living in Washington, DC. He loves his home team, the Washington Senators, but they always lose to the Yankees. Joe is visited by the mysterious Mr. Applegate, the devil in disguise. When Mr. Applegate offers Joe the chance - in exchange for his soul - to become a young slugger for the Senators, Joe accepts. As Joe leads the Senators towards victory in the hot pennant race, he begins to miss his old life. Mr. Applegate sends the beautiful witch Lola to persuade Joe to keep playing ball. It all comes down to the big game.

Familiar songs include "Heart," one of the best songs about sports ever written, and "Whatever Lola Wants." When Yogi Berra went to see Damn Yankees, he told a friend, "They gotta change that scene where the Yankees sing in the shower room. We never do that."

Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964 and was filmed in 1971. Stars include Chaim Topol, Norma Crande, Neva Small and Molly Picon. Music by Jerry Bock with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. (181 minutes.)

Tevye, a poor milkman living in a tiny Russian village around 1905, has five loving daughters and a devoted wife. He turns often to conversations with God about the changes happening to his family and to the world around him. One daughter persuades him to break with the tradition of arranged marriages so she can marry a poor tailor for love; another daughter falls for a Russian soldier. Distraught by the invasion of the Russian Cossacks, Tevye decides to leave his village and migrate to New York.

The spectacular photography in Fiddler creates the dream world of Tevye's insulated village. The movie was filmed in Zagreb in what was then Yugoslavia. The songs are just wonderful, including "Tradition," "If I Were a Rich Man" and "Sunrise, Sunset."

The King and I was made in 1956 and features Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and Rita Moreno. Music by Richard Rogers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with choreography by Jerome Robbins. Both Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr were nominated for Best Acting Oscars, but only Yul Brynner won. (133 minutes.)

This is a true story about a widowed English governess who is hired by the King of Siam in 1862 to tutor his 67 children. Their relationship is contentious at first, since she finds him pompous and he dislikes her Western attitudes. Eventually, they put aside their differences in favor of a bond based on mutual respect.

Marvelous musical numbers include "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Getting to Know You," "Hello Young Lovers" and the rousing "Shall We Dance?" Costumes and set direction are elegant, with Oscar wins for both. The original Broadway musical and the film were based on a book by Margaret Landon, who used Anna's diaries as her source material.

Meet Me in St. Louis stars Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien and Lucille Bremer. It was directed by Vincent Minelli, who married Judy Garland after completing the film, and is the father of Liza Minelli. (113 minutes.)

Set in 1903 immediately before the World's Fair opens in St. Louis, the film tells the heartwarming story of a lawyer and his family. His oldest daughter has a boyfriend in New York; the middle sister harbors a crush on the boy next door; and the youngest one is just adorable, with the nickname "Tootie." They are all looking forward to the Fair when their father announces that he has been offered a job in New York and wants the family to move.

Its optimistic outlook and idealized version of mid-American life at the turn of the 20th century makes this film ideal for younger children. Judy Garland is at the height of her powers, singing such favorites as "The Trolley Song," "The Boy Next Door," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and the title song.

My Fair Lady stars Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison and Stanley Holloway. Music by Frederick Lowe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. (170 minutes.)

When he hears the Cockney accent of a girl selling flowers, the snobbish Professor Henry Higgins bets his colleague that he can turn her into a lady by instructing her in proper English. Eliza, the flower girl, agrees to the experiment, and moves into the professor's grand home. She spends hours trying to lose her accent under his strict tutelage. Eventually, she becomes proficient enough for them to attend the Ascot horse races, where she enthralls the formal, upper-class society guests. Her biggest success is at the grand Embassy Ball, where she fools a competitive rival linguist. Professor Higgins wins his bet, but almost loses Eliza when he fails to acknowledge her contribution to this achievement.

This enchanting movie has gorgeous costumes and sets and a collection of beautiful songs. Classic love songs are "I Could Have Danced All Night," "On the Street Where You Live," "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" and "Without You," and there are rousing numbers such as "Get Me to the Church on Time," "I'm An Ordinary Man" and "You Did It." Audrey Hepburn's singing is dubbed, while Rex Harrison mastered a technique called "talking on pitch" to perform his numbers. He appears to be carrying a tune, but he is not really singing. No matter: they are both superb and supported by a first-class ensemble.

Oklahoma! stormed Broadway in 1943, running 2,212 performances. It was the first collaboration of Richard Rogers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics), who insisted that no film version of this or any of their later shows be made for at least 10 years after the Broadway musical opened. Stars are Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Gloria Graham and Rod Steiger. Choreography by Agnes de Mille. (145 minutes.)

The plot is simple: cowboy Curly falls in love with farm girl Laurey in early 20th century Oklahoma just as the territory is about to become a state. The hired hand Judd also loves Laurey and tries to steal her away from Curly. After Laurey chooses Curly, Judd challenges the cowboy to a fight and is accidentally killed. The trial ends happily, and Laurey and Curly go off on their honeymoon.

This is the first Broadway musical to use songs and exquisite balletic dancing to tell the story line, resulting in an operetta-type musical that has enthralled audiences for decades. "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top," "Kansas City," "People Will Say We're In Love" and the exuberant title song are thrilling. Oklahoma! is one of the best movie musicals ever made.