When we talk about films, we mustn’t discountenance our great classics. In fact, if you’re looking for fun, excitement, sensation, melodrama, and the best complex love stories, the classics are your top bet. A lot of them were before my time, but as I stated in one of my previous posts, the age of a movie doesn’t change its value or effect. Whether it was a good story, whether it was entertaining, interesting or whether the actors delivered; time or age don’t change any of that. The only drawback might be technology with regards to better picture and special effects, but most of the classics I’m talking about were perfect and are still perfect the way they are.
Some of my favourites are: The Wizard of Oz (1939), Singin’ in the Rain (1952), By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953), Guys and Dolls (1955), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Doctor Dolittle (1967), Grease 1 (1978) and Grease 2 (1982), Annie (1982).
A great deal of classic films made use of three amazing skills i.e. acting, singing, and dancing. While cinema and the movie industry toned down on them for a brief period, over the years, they have slowly been bringing them back e.g. 2001’s romantic musical drama, Moulin Rouge, 2008’s romantic-comedy musical, Mama Mia! and it’s 2018 follow-up Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, 2014’s comedy musical-drama, Annie (a remake of 1982’s), 2016’s romantic-comedy musical drama, La La Land, 2017’s biographic musical drama, The Greatest Showman.
I don’t know about you, but I love and never tire of watching classic films with great talents like Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Deborah Kerr, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Howard Keel, Judy Garland, Yul Brynner, Julie Andrews, Jane Powell, Audrey Hepburn, Aileen Quinn, Shirley Temple, Doris Day, Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Reynolds, Rex Harrison, Barbra Streisand and loads of others.
I would like to share a few of my darlings with you. – all heart-warming beautiful tales with singing and dancing. Lets’ take a look, shall we?
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
Musical comedy drama starring Howard Keel, Jane Powell
An outback woodsman purposefully goes out to find a wife. He marries a gentle lady and takes her back to his family cabin where he lives with his 6 younger brothers. The woman is appalled to discover how uncivilised and badly behaved all the men are. Her attempts to teach them proper etiquette and manners are made further complicated when the six brothers, taking the ill but unintended advice of their now married oldest brother literarily, abduct 6 towns girls that they like and have decided they must have.
The King and I (1956)
Biographic musical drama starring Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr
An English woman, along with her son, travels to Siam to be the governess and English teacher to the King’s wives and many children. The differences in values and principles stemming from Siam's customs and a clash of cultures, cause unavoidable friction and a brewing chemistry between the woman and the King.
My Fair Lady (1964)
Musical family drama starring Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison
An arrogant high-classed professor of phonetics takes up the challenge to transform a working-class mouthy cockney woman into one who can pass for a lady in high society. This was not going to be an easy fit.
Mary Poppins (1964)
Musical fantasy starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke
A successful banker and his wife are finding it difficult to retain a nanny for their two young and extremely mischievous children. When the children pen their requirements for a nanny and give it to their father, he later tears and tosses it into the fireplace. However, the letter magically finds its way to a special nanny who, though firm, fits all the criteria, and would take the children on a fantastical journey of fun, joy, and learning.
Sound of Music (1965)
Biographic Family drama starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer
A young and troublesome woman, who is aspiring to be a nun, is sent by the abbey to be the governess to the 7 children of a wealthy widower and Naval Captain. The home is governed by regulations and lacks life, especially as music has been banned in the house. However, by breaking almost all the rules and bringing music back into the household, this boisterous woman manages to infuse joy and laugher in the children, and possibly love in the heart of the handsome captain.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
Musical Adventure Fantasy starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill
An eccentric inventor and father of two young children converts a grand prix relic into a beautiful brand new automobile. It turns out that the car is magical and can fly. They are taken on a surprising adventure when the car teleports him and his family to a strange kingdom headed by an evil Baron who is fascinated with toys and his Baroness, who hates children.
Hello Dolly (1969)
Adventure comedy musical starring Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford
A very rich man is looking for a wife and seeks the assistance of a well-known, audacious, and fascinating widowed socialite. Filled with a passion for matchmaking, the delightfully mischievous woman uses her cunning to secretly bring three young couples together, despite the complications, while working to secure her own heart’s desire.
Hope you enjoyed my line-up. If it hasn't already automatically played, I'll leave you with a beautiful song from a scene in one of the many great classics, Breakfast at Tiffany's - 'Moon River'.
Press play.
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