The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

Today, I am presenting you with a musical from Disney that is not very well-known: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band. This is an older musical but one that I have really enjoyed. At the beginning of the movie, we meet the Bower family. As the title describes, this is a very musical family who makes up their very own band. There are eleven people in this family: Mr. Bower and Mrs. Bower, Grandpa Bower, and eight children. Here is a cast list:

Calvin Bower- Buddy Ebsen
Katie Bower- Janet Blair
Grandpa Bower- Walter Brennan
Alice Bower- Lesley Ann Warren
Joe Carder- John Davidson
Bower Children:
Sidney- Kurt Russell
Mayo- Bobby Riha
Quinn- Jon Walmsley
Nettie- Smitty Wordes
Rose- Heidi Rook
Lulu- Debbie Smith
Laura- Pamelyn Ferdin

*Giggly Girl- Goldie Hawn

One character I forgot to mention above is Joe Carder. This young man is a Republican newspaper writer who is recruiting Republican families to move out to the Dakotas so they can be granted statehood. He and Alice, the oldest Bower child, have been writing to each other for some time. This movie is set in 1888 right before the election between Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison. In fact, this election is a very important part of the movie. While Grandpa is a strong Democrat, Mr. and Mrs. Bower and the rest of the family are Republicans. Although this issue may cause a lot of tension at times, they have learned how to handle their differences. Grandpa’s bull-headed stubbornness causes a lot of trouble in this movie for not only his family but also for the townspeople. One day, he goes to the school where Alice teaches with instructions to dismiss school for the day. Instead, he teaches school himself and tells the kids about the War Between the States (Civil War) and encourages them to get involved in the political issues that their parents will vote on but the kids will feel the effects when they grow up. When the townspeople learn what happened, they are outraged and accuse Grandpa Bower of poisoning the minds of the children. This is just one example of Grandpa’s interference that appears in this movie.

My favorite songs in this movie are “The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band”, “Who Invented Music?”, “Grover Cleveland Campaign Song”, and “’Bout Time”. I like Grandpa’s lines the most in this movie so I will use one from the school scene. In these lines, a student is correcting Grandpa Bower on the proper textbook name of the Civil War.

Grandpa: “Right there’s the first thing I’m gonna learn ya! The proper name to call it is ‘The War Between the States’ cause that’s what it was! …And you can take my words for it ‘cause there wasn’t nothing ‘civil’ about it!”

I think this line is so true. Well, I hope ya’ll can enjoy this movie sometime. It may not be for everyone but I sure have enjoyed it. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Be safe in your travels and I hope ya’ll come back again for more musical reviews. Don’t be afraid to comment! Bye!

Holiday Inn

Just in time for Thanksgiving, my latest musical review is an Irving Berlin classic called Holiday Inn. Starring brilliant actors, singers, and dancers like Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, and Virginia Dale, this movie is a timeless musical and a “must-see”. The movie begins with the introduction of Manhattan’s premier nightlife trio composed of Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby), Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire), and Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale). Jim is the singing talent of the group, Ted is the dancing talent of the group, and Lila does both. It’s around the Christmas season in New York and the trio is preparing to put on one of their shows. Jim tells Ted of his aversion to all the busyness and non-stop working atmosphere of show business. Since Jim’s uncle has passed away leaving him a farm, Jim intends to start working on the farm in Connecticut. Also, Jim and Lila are engaged and he intends to take Lila with him. Unfortunately, Jim is unaware that Ted and Lila have fallen in love and are going to stay in New York and continue their shows as a duet. When Ted’s agent, Danny Reed, lets the news slip, Jim leaves heartbroken but determined to follow his plan. However, the farm doesn’t work out so well for Jim. After spending some time in a sanatorium, Jim goes back to New York to see Ted and Lila on Christmas Eve. He tells Reed and Ted of his new plan to turn the farm into an entertainment club called Holiday Inn which is only open on holidays. Reed and Ted don’t think it will work but wish Jim luck. Later on, Mr. Reed is on his way out of New York when he stops at a flower shop to send Lila some flowers for Ted. While he is there, the young woman working there, Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds), recognizes him and begs him to get her on the stage. He refers her to Holiday Inn and gives her a pass for Ted and Lila’s show that night. Jim and Linda meet at the performer’s table that night at Ted and Lila’s show. Jim acts like he has a big club and is considering Ted and Lila for his show but doesn’t think they are good enough and Linda pretends like she is an important friend of Ted Hanover’s. However, Linda shows up at Jim’s Inn the next day (Christmas Day) and they realize each other’s mistake. Jim, who has been readying the Inn for its opening day on New Year’s Eve, shows Linda around. Then, he sings for her the song that he would have performed that day if the Inn had been open: White Christmas. On New Year’s Eve, Holiday Inn has a full house. However, back in New York, Ted has discovered a note from Lila saying she is leaving him for a Texas millionaire. Ted drinks heavily before leaving to find Jim in Connecticut at the Inn. A very intoxicated Ted arrives at the Inn precisely at midnight. Meanwhile, Danny Reed has discovered the note and Ted’s absence. He is in a panic to find his star actor and leaves immediately for Jim’s Inn. At the Inn, Ted wanders through the crowd until he finds Linda. Even in his inebriated state, Linda and Ted bring down the house with their dance. Finally, Ted collapses and is taken upstairs by Jim and Linda. Mr. Reed arrives just in time to see Ted and Linda finish their dance. Mistakenly, he believes Ted has already found another dance partner. In the morning, Ted awakes and is completely unaware of what happened last night. However, he remembers dancing with a girl but can’t remember what she looks like. Jim chooses not to say anything even though he knows the answer to all their questions. Ted and Danny decide to search for this girl until they find her. Fearing that Ted will steal Linda away the same way he stole Lila, Jim begins a series of desperate acts to keep Ted and Danny from finding Linda. The next holiday is Lincoln’s birthday. Danny and Ted come to the show in hopes that Ted’s mystery partner will be there again. In a moment’s decision, Jim decides to change the show to include blackface make-up so Linda won’t be recognized. While Jim is applying her make-up, he casually proposes that Linda be in every show and stay at the Inn all the time. Linda interprets this for the proposal that it is and happily accepts. Jim’s scheme succeeds and Ted and Danny leave empty-handed. However, they decide to arrive early before the next show and try again. On Valentine’s Day, Jim sings Linda a song he has wrote especially for her called “Be Careful, It’s My Heart”. During this song, Linda begins dancing to the music by herself when Ted and Danny enter. She is recognized and Ted silently steps in and they begin dancing. At the end of the song, Jim’s heart is breaking again as he sees the two dancing. Ted convinces (more like bullies!) Jim to write a number for him and Linda in the next show on Washington’s birthday. When that holiday arrives, Ted and Linda begin dancing to a minuet but every time he starts to take her into his arms to kiss her, Jim changes the music from a minuet to jazz. After the show, Ted asks Linda to become his partner and leave them Inn. Linda tells Ted that she has agreed to be in the shows and is engaged to Jim. Later on, Ted talks to Jim who is surprised to hear that he and Linda are engaged. I think Jim believes Linda would have fallen in love with Ted already and has forgotten his proposal but other movie reviews say that Jim really didn’t propose on Lincoln’s birthday, but Linda just assumed he did. Linda and Jim’s relationship continues to blossom on Easter as they drive back to the Inn from church. Upon their arrival, they find Ted waiting. He makes up some excuse about “wanting the happiness you people have found here at the Inn” but really, he is trying to get closer to Linda and draw her away from Jim. Thus begins a very tense relationship between a distrustful Jim, a charmed Linda, and a smoother-than-honey Ted. On July 4th, Danny Reed has arranged for some Hollywood producers to come watch Ted and Linda to see if they can be in the pictures (a movie). Jim bribes the hired hand Gus to pick Linda up from the train station but never get to the Inn. Gus drives into the river but Linda makes him carry her to the shore. She hikes back up to the road to hitch a ride and meets Lila. Jim has secretly arranged for Lila to come and take Linda’s place with Ted. When Linda discovers this, she directs Lila to the same river. At the Inn, the show has been delayed because of Linda’s absences. After an hour, Danny Reed starts the show to keep his Hollywood guests from leaving. Ted is forced to come up with a quick improvisational routine. Finally, Linda arrives at the end of the show and confronts Jim with Ted standing near-by. She accuses him of ruining her chances of going to Hollywood, even the chance to refuse. Danny brings the Hollywood producers to meet Ted and Linda but they are more fascinated with Jim instead! They love Jim’s idea of Holiday Inn and want to purchase the rights to turn it into a movie starring Ted and Linda. Jim is worn-out from the sneaking around and Ted’s universal success. He agrees to let the producers use his idea, his music, and his love: Linda. A broken man, Jim sarcastically asks Linda if she is happy now since she has gotten her chance at Hollywood back. He walks away and doesn’t see her again. Depressed and alone, Jim eats Thanksgiving dinner by himself while listening to his new song for the Thanksgiving holiday: “I Have Plenty to be Thankful For”. His cook, Mamie, confronts him about his apathetic attitude and encourages him to go to California, tell Linda his feelings, and get his girl back! Strengthened, Jim decides to do just that. Christmas Eve in Hollywood, Ted and Danny are making arrangements for Ted and Linda’s marriage immediately following the last shoot for the film. Ted has worried and claims he won’t relax until he and Linda are actually married. Just then, Jim enters and says hello. Now it’s Ted’s turn to worry about Jim stealing his girl! Danny comes up with the idea to lock Jim in the closet. Unfortunately for them, Jim gets out and locks them in Ted’s room. Then he wanders down to see the set. The set is an exact replica of Jim’s Inn in Connecticut. As he sits at the piano, he plays “White Christmas” and leaves his pipe on top. Then he disappears as the crew sets up and Linda comes out to film the last scene. As the camera rolls, Linda walks through the house until she comes to the piano. She sits down and begins singing “White Christmas”. While playing, she uses Jim’s pipe to ring the bells exactly the same way Jim did the first time he sang it for her. She stops, surprised, and then hears Jim’s voice pick up where she left off. She looks around trying to find him. He steps out of his hiding place and Linda rushes into his arms. Danny and Ted rush onto the set but they’re too late. It’s New Year’s Eve again and Jim and Linda are hosting the show back at the Holiday Inn. Ted admits defeat and starts a solo career. Danny (the relentless, merciless, and annoying agent) brings Lila onto the stage to resume her partnership with Ted. Therefore, there is a happy ending as Jim and Linda, Ted and Lila are all with the person they should be. I like this movie but Ted Hanover and Danny Reed drive me nuts! I am glad there is a happy ending because the entire middle portion of this movie makes me mad. Jim is a coward who won’t stand up for the girl he loves. Nevertheless, it is a very good movie.
My favorite songs in this movie are “White Christmas”, “Abraham”, “The New Year’s Song”, and “Be Careful, It’s My Heart”. Although there are many witty and funny lines in this movie, I am using one that expresses Jim’s precise feelings regarding Ted. After Ted has stayed with them at the Inn for some time, Jim asks this question:

Jim: (Sarcastically) Oh, yes, we love having you. By the way, when are you leaving?

I love these classic musicals with stars like Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, and the wonderful music by Irving Berlin. In fact, this movie has had a lot of affect on society. Did you know that the Holiday Inn hotels were named after this film? Very interesting, is it not?! Well, I hope you have seen this movie or will try to see it. It’s very good! Well, a wonderful week and leave me a comment!

King and I

Today we have yet another masterful musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein: The King and I. I was surprised to discover that this musical was based on a true story. Margaret Landon’s book, Anna and the King of Siam, was the foundation for the musical. However, the real story came from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, The English Governess at the Siamese Court. This real British schoolteacher taught the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. Although there is doubt concerning its accuracy, her autobiography was the beginning of a wonderful story. The King and I begins with the arrival of Anna Leonowens and her son Louis by ship to Siam. Unsure of what Siam will be like, they sing “I Whistle A Happy Tune” to keep themselves from getting scared. Once they arrive in the palace, Anna discovers that the king has not provided a house for her, one of the promises made in his letter. As she waits to confront the king, Anna witnesses the presentation of a young girl named Tuptim as a gift to the King of Siam. Tuptim is to become another one of the king’s wives but is secretly in love with the young man who brought her from Burma, Lun Tha. Anna is frustrated with the king and decides she will return to England; however, she changes her mind after meeting the king’s adorable children. Several weeks pass and Anna has begun teaching the children and some of the king’s wives. Purposely, she has taught the children verses, proverbs, and sayings about houses but the king still refuses to provide her a house. Anna reveals her love for the children in the song, “Getting to Know You”. Meanwhile, the King has been troubled with new ideas and progress that Anna has brought with her. Despite telling his son that kings know everything, he expresses his doubts in the song, “A Puzzlement”. However, the King is a proud man and will not ask advice or help from anyone, especially a woman. After the king’s head wife approaches Anna and asks her to help the King, Anna goes to see the King and uncovers the troubling news he has received. Reports have reached the British court that the King is a barbarian. Anna sneakily helps the King devise a plan to impress the British upon their arrival. The King is very pleased with their solution and rushes his family and Anna off the temple of Buddha. As he prays, the King promises Buddha that he will finally give Anna the house he promised her. When the British arrive, they find themselves the guests of a banquet prepared in their honor. They are impressed by the King’s wit and toast his continued sovereignty. Also during the banquet, Tuptim presents a play of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in her own version. However, the King and Anna recognize subtle elements in the play that demonstrate Tuptim’s unhappiness with the King and Siam. He sends out guards to fetch her to be reprimanded. Anna and the King celebrate their victory of impressing the British with the song, “Shall We Dance?”. Then, the King discovers Tuptim has run away with Lun Tha. The guards recover her and bring her back to the King. Her punishment is to be whipped until death. Anna implores the King not to throw away everything he has worked for in proving his civility. The angry King disregards her completely and prepares to whip Tuptim. Anna refuses to leave and the King cannot bear to whip Tuptim in front of her. He runs off. More guards arrive bringing bad news: Tuptim’s love, Lun Tha, has drowned himself in the river. The Kralahome, the King’s Prime Minister, tells Anna venomously that she has destroyed the King, making him weak. Anna again decides to return to England. She has not seen the King for weeks. On the day she is scheduled to depart, the King’s head wife comes to Anna with a letter from the King. Ever since the night of the banquet, he has refused food and nourishment. Consequently, he is now dying. Reconciled from her anger, Anna runs to the King’s bedside. He has gathered all his children and wives for his farewell. The dying King asks his son, Prince Chulalongkorn, what he will do as the next king. The Prince’s ideas clearly display the influence of Ms. Anna. While the Prince is describing all his ideas, the King dies and a heartbroken Anna kisses his hand reverently. I love this story and the songs in it but the ending is very sad. I have seen every version of this musical. In 2006, I saw the Broadway musical performed live at The Bass Performance Hall in Dallas/Fort Worth. The King was played by Lou Diamond Phillips, a well-known actor and TV star. I have also seen the classic movie version with Deborah Kerr (Anna) and Yul Brynner (the King). This movie was produced in 1956 and won five Academy Awards. I have also watched the most recent remake of the film. Warner Brothers released an animated version of the King and I in 1999. However, this version has a slightly different plot. I really love this musical in every different way I have seen it.

My favorite songs from this musical are “Hello, Young Lovers”, “I Have Dreamed”, “Getting to Know You”, and “Shall We Dance”. There is a lot of humor in the King and I but I am going to use an excerpt from the animated version because it’s the most recent version I have seen.

King: How old will you be?
Anna: A hundred and fifty years, Your Majesty.
King: (Doubtful) In what year were you birthed?
Anna: In, uh, seventeen hundred and twelve, Your Majesty.
King: How many years shall you be married?
Anna: Several, Your Majesty.
King: How many grandchildren shall you have, hmm, hmmm!
(Anna is unable to answer.)
King: (Smugly) Ha! Perhaps it is not good manners to ask so many questions of such an old woman!

Another of my favorites is:

King: They called me a barbarian!
Anna: It’s a lie!
King: A false lie!!

Well, I hope you have seen this movie because it is truly a good (and interesting) story. If you haven’t, you can rent the movie and watch it at home. Try the classic first and then, if you want, you can try the animated version too. Well, I hope ya’ll all have a good week and enjoy the fall season. Till next time!

Cinderella

What is the most beloved princess that all young girls want to be? Of course, it’s Cinderella. This fairy tale came from a story written by Charles Perrault. Cinderella is yet another classic musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This incredibly successful team wrote this musical specifically for television. It was broadcast live for the first time on CBS on March 31, 1957. The broadcast was seen by over 100 million people. The role of Cinderella was played by none other than our favorite: Julie Andrews. Forty years later, The Wonderful World of Disney did a remake of this musical with a very diverse cast. Brandy starred as Cinderella; the Fairy Godmother was played by Whitney Houston; the King and Queen were played by Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg; the Prince was played by Paolo Montalban; the Stepmother was played by Bernadette Peters; and Jason Alexander was cast as the Royal Herald. The plot of the story is very similar to the Disney’s animated Cinderella, but with a few changes. At the opening of the story, the Royal Herald goes into town and announces that the Prince is giving a ball (presumably for his 21st birthday). Even though every eligible young lady is invited, Cinderella’s evil stepmother and stepsisters keep her too occupied with chores to go to the ball. After they have departed for the ball, Cinderella tries to convince herself that she doesn’t care about the ball. As she dreams about what the ball would be like, her Fairy Godmother appears and transforms her from a filthy servant girl into a beautiful, ball-gowned lady. She sends Cinderella off in the customary pumpkin carriage with the traditional “midnight” warning. Cinderella arrives late at the ball and rescues a very bored Prince from all the infatuated young ladies vying for his attention. They dance, they talk, and they fall in love. Then, of course, midnight strikes and Cinderella flees the scene to the astonishment of everyone there. She still leaves the slipper behind and gets away. The Prince vows to find her and marry her. They try the slipper on the foot of every maiden in the kingdom. At the last house, the Stepmother and Stepsisters try on the slipper without success and try to keep Cinderella hidden while the Prince is there. But Cinderella has made her own plans. She is tired of all the abuse and scorn she receives from her Stepmother and Stepsisters and decides to run away. The Prince finds Cinderella leaving the house just as he has finished with her family. She tries on the slipper but finds that it doesn’t fit anymore! Just kidding. Of course it fits so they get married and live happily ever after. If you have ever seen the musical live, this is the same version they use on stage. The Disney animated version and the Rodgers and Hammerstein version are a little different. So you will have to watch both versions.

My favorite songs from this movie are “Impossible”, “Ten Minutes Ago”, and “Stepsister’s Lament”. I have the Brandy version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and I love watching it. One of the funniest lines comes from the Royal Herald after he argues with the Prince about sneaking into the town dressed as a peasant while the RH lies to the Queen about the Prince’s whereabouts.

Royal Herald: If he wants to kill me, why doesn’t he just run over me in his carriage and get it over with?!

I hope you have seen this musical performed live but if you haven’t, check out the movie(s) of the Rodgers and Hammerstein version. It’s always best to check out the original, don’t you think? Well, I hope ya’ll enjoyed your extra hour of sleep for Daylight Savings! Have a wonderful week!

Annie

One of America’s favorite little girls from a film or play has to be Annie. This adorable orphan played by Aileen Quinn is a creative and tough little redhead who wants desperately to get out of the orphanage, find her parents, and have a real life. She is in constant trouble with the orphanage’s tyrannical ruler, Miss Hannigan, played by Carol Burnett. Despite her various escape attempts, she always winds back up in the orphanage. Until one day, the secretary of billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Ann Reinking) arrives and takes Annie away from the orphanage to spend a week in Mr. Warbucks’ mansion. Annie’s immense gratitude and charisma help work her way into the hearts of everyone at the mansion, including “Daddy” Warbucks (Albert Finney). Despite his heartfelt desire to adopt her, Daddy Warbucks instead helps Annie search for her real parents. Unfortunately, they are unaware of a nefarious scheme by Miss Hannigan, her brother, and his girlfriend to kidnap Annie for the reward money. Rooster and Lily (Bernadette Peters) dress down and convince Mr. Warbucks that they are Annie parents by the other half of Annie’s locket they have. Their plan appears to be a complete success until some of Annie’s orphan friends reach Mr. Warbucks. They reveal the evil plan and a rescue party is launched. Finally, Annie is saved, the bad guys are caught by the police, and everyone returns home. Annie learns of her parents’ death and then happily agrees to become Daddy Warbucks’ little girl. This movie is a classic musical that is sure to be watched for years to come.

My favorite songs in this musical are “It’s a Hard Knock Life”, “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here”, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile”, and “Easy Street”. I think everyone has seen this movie but if you haven’t, be sure to check it out. Look for the 1982 version and not the Disney remake. Enjoy!

Newsies

Today, I am presenting the most recent musical of all the posts I have done. Made in 1992, the fun-filled musical Newsies was filmed and produced. This musical is based on the true story of a courageous group of newsboys who group together to defend their rights against newspaper tycoon, Joseph Pulitzer. There are many familiar faces in this musical such as Robert Duvall, Ann-Margaret, and Christian Bale. Yes, the same Christian Bale who played Batman, his most well-known movie ever. Another familiar name might be Kenny Ortega. Ortega directed all three High School Musicals but Newsies is nothing like the High School Musical trilogy so don’t be scared away. This movie has incredible dancing and acrobatics all done by boys. There are no girls in the newsie group. Our story begins with Jack Kelly, the leader of the newsies with a dream of leaving New York for Santa Fe. He meets David Jacobs who is trying to earn money for his family after his father was laid-off because of a factory accident. Jack teaches David and his little brother, Les, how to be newsies. Soon afterwards, Pulitzer decides to raise the distribution price a tenth of a cent. This outrages the newsies who already scrounge for a living. They decide to go on strike. In order to gain more support, they invite all the newsies in the surrounding areas of New York to join them. However, their protest does not gain attention quickly or easily and they are up against the most powerful man in New York. Needless to say, they encounter some problems. One of these problems is Warden Snyder from “The Refuge”, supposedly a rehabilitation home for boys but more like a jail. He is chasing Jack, who we discover is really Patrick Sullivan and who has escaped from “The Refuge”. Another major problem is Pulitzer’s hired thugs who try hurt the boys in order to stop their strike. But the street smart boys overcome all. They reach out to working boys and girls all over New York. This presents a huge problem to the city of New York because it thrives on child labor. With this massive mob at his doorstep, Pulitzer has no choice but to give in to the newsies’ demands.
I love this story, especially all the dancing and jumping. My favorite songs are “Carrying the Banner”, “The World Will Know”, “Seize the Day”, and “King of New York”. My favorite line comes from Spot Conlon, the newsie leader from New York. As Jack’s newsies are battling a group of thugs, Spot and his gang appear on the rooftops to help.

Spot: Never fear, Brooklyn is here!

Spot and his crew then proceed to shoot marbles at the thugs with their slingshots and successfully help Jack and his boys force the thugs back. I really hope you can see this movie and enjoy it as much as I did. Be sure to check out my polls so I can get some ideas of what ya’ll would like to see in my blog. Leave me a comment and have a wonderful week!

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a wonderful musical about a backwoods family of seven brothers and their clumsy and creative ways of finding a bride. This unusual film was released by MGM in 1954. Well-known actors (such as Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Julie Newmar [Newmeyer], Russ Tamblyn, and Jeff Richards) helped increase the film’s popularity and success. This movie is filled with laughs and songs that are certain to keep you entertained. It all begins when Adam Pontipee comes to town with the intention of taking home a wife. During his wife-hunt, he meets Milly, a hardworking young woman, and she agrees to marry him despite knowing nothing about him! Milly looks forward to her home in the mountains, away from town, with only one man to care for. However, Adam has conveniently left out his six other brothers! After Milly meets all the brothers, she sets about turning them into proper gentleman and correcting their horrendous habits. Their first test and social engagement comes at a barn-raising. There, they meet six lovely young ladies and the brothers fall in love. But these lovesick brothers fail their first test when they respond to the taunts of the jealous suitors and start a huge fight. Back home, they grieve for the girls they can’t have until Adam encourages them to go get the girls and carry them off in a similar fashion to what the Romans did to the Sabine women. They sneak down to the town, kidnap the girls, cause an avalanche, and bring them back to the farm. Milly gives all the men a terrible scolding, forbids them to see the girls, and exiles them to the barn. Adam is greatly upset by Milly’s anger and leaves the farm to spend the winter in the trapping cabin. While the winter goes on, the brothers get Milly’s permission to court the girls and they all have a glorious time till spring. By now, all the snow has melted and the townspeople are making plans to get their daughters, sisters, etc. back. Adam returns and decides the girls should be returned after thinking about his own daughter, Hannah, who Milly had in Adam’s absence. However, the girls don’t want to leave. What follows is a hilarious misunderstanding and chase of the girls, brothers, townsmen, and suitors. Eventually, the girls marry the brothers in a shotgun wedding and everyone is happy. This movie is an absolute must-see! From the alphabetical and biblical names of the brothers (Adam, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frankincense, and Gideon) to the creative dancing duel at the barn-raising, this musical is filled with laughs and smiles at every turn.
Although all the songs in this musical are good, my favorite songs are “Going Courtin’” and “Sobbin’ Women”. The first song is sung by Milly and the brothers during her attempt to explain the concept of “courting” to these backwoods men. The second song is sung by Adam and the brothers as Adam tries to inspire them to do something about their girls which ultimately leads to the kidnapping. Although I could probably find lots of my favorite lines, I will use one from the beginning. As Milly is being introduced to the brothers, Daniel and Ephraim come up at the same time.

Milly: Which one is Daniel and which is Ephraim?

Both: Me!

I hope you can watch this movie sometime. I first saw it as a play, which is equally amusing, but you really need to see the movie. If you have seen this movie, let me know about it! Leave a comment. See you next time!

My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady is a well-known musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. This musical was not easily created. Even the genius of Rodgers and Hammerstein II struggled and gave up on this seemingly impossible story. Finally, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe succeeded in overcoming the impossible. My Fair Lady became a Broadway play in 1956 and set a new record for the longest run of a major musical theatre production at that time. As for the major roles in the play, Professor Higgins was played by Rex Harrison, who also starred in the film version, and Eliza Doolittle was played by the newly discovered Julie Andrews. Later, the play was converted to a film starring Audrey Hepburn as Eliza rather than Julie Andrews. Although this caused much controversy, Julie Andrews was believed to be too inexperienced for film because she had only been “discovered” a short time ago. The film won eight Academy Awards: Best Picture, Directing, Best Actor (Rex Harrison), Best Cinematography, Sound, Original Music Score, Best Art Direction, and Costume Design. The plot of the story centers around a young Cockney girl named Eliza Doolittle. She meets Professor Henry Higgins and begins to take lessons from him to improve her English so she can be a “lady in a flower shop”, or basically, find a better job. Soon, Professor Higgins makes a bet that he can pass her off as a lady at the Embassy Ball in six months. As Eliza learns under the professor’s strict instruction, she not only learns phonetics but proper manners as well. When the time arrives for her test, Eliza convinces everyone at the ball that she is a Hungarian princess with the help of a sneaky phonetician named Zoltan Karpathy. After the bet is won, Eliza finds she is quite independent now and no longer needs the domineering professor. Despite his previous disgust and harshness, Professor Higgins has become “accustomed to her face” and is affected by her leaving. At the very end, she returns to find him listening to a phonograph with her voice recorded on it. In spite of his obvious joy and delight at her return, he resumes his gruff attitude in one question. The movie ends and leaves the ending wide open as to what follows.
My favorite songs in this movie are “I Could Have Danced All Night”, “On The Street Where You Live”, “Show Me”, “A Hymn To Him”, and “Without You”. My favorite one-liner comes from Professor Higgins. He is astounded that Eliza has bolted and is talking about it with Mrs. Pearce and Colonel Pickering. In the conversation leading up to this line, Professor Higgins is remembering everything that happened the night before in an attempt to understand Eliza’s flight and Colonel Pickering has responded several times by saying, “I’m dashed!”

Professor Higgins: “For God’s sake, Pickering, stop being dashed and do something!”

I love watching this musical because it makes me laugh and I notice something new every time I watch it. I hope you enjoy it too. Leave me a comment and I will talk to you again next week! Thanks!

The Sound of Music

One of the most world-famous musicals of all time is The Sound of Music. This beloved tale originated from the true story of Georg Ritter von Trapp and Maria Augusta von Kutschera. Georg Ritter von Trapp was born on April 4, 1880 to August Ritter von Trapp and Hedwig Wepler. Following in the footsteps of his father, Georg became a naval officer in the Austro-Hungarian Navy in 1902. He had a fascination with submarines and while in command of three (a U-5, a U-6, and a U-14), he sunk eleven cargo vessels totaling 45,669 tons, sunk the French armored cruiser Leon Gambetta and the Italian submarine Nereide, captured one cargo vessel, and had nineteen war patrols on his wartime record. However, after the end of the First World War, Austria no longer had a coast and he lost his position. Georg’s first wife was Agathe Whitehead, the granddaughter of Englishman Robert Whitehead, inventor of the torpedo. Married in January 1911, Georg and Agathe had seven children. Their names were Rupert (11/1/1911), Agathe (3/12/1913), Maria Franziska (8/28/1914), Werner (12/21/1915), Hedwig (7/28/1917), Johanna (9/7/1919), and Martina (2/17/1921). Agathe Whitehead von Trapp died of scarlet fever in September of 1922. Maria Augusta von Kutschera was born on January 25, 1905. Because her mother died when she was two years old, Maria was raised by an elderly cousin of her father in a little cottage on the outskirts of Vienna. During her college years, Maria heard a sermon by Father Kronseder that dramatically changed her life. She joined the Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg to become a nun. However, while she was there, it was decided that she would be sent to the Trapp Villa for a year to work as a governess for the captain’s daughter, Maria Franziska, who was confined to bed with rheumatic fever. Maria never went back to the abbey. She married Georg Ritter von Trapp on November 26, 1927. Not too long after, they had three more children: Rosemarie (2/8/1929), Eleonore (5/14/1931), and Johannes (1/17/1939). Because of the economic pressure in Austria, the von Trapps had little or no money. To provide them with a livelihood, Maria arranged singing engagements for the family. Although they didn’t really flee from a Nazi order, the family did leave Austria in 1938 and go to Italy. From there, they toured in America for eight months and then went to back to Europe to tour in Scandinavia in 1939. Finally, they came back to the United States and lived in Pennsylvania briefly before settling down in Stowe, Vermont in 1941. The von Trapps bought a 660-acre farm and made it the Trapp Family Lodge. Georg died in 1947 of lung cancer and Maria passed away in 1987. Of the von Trapp children, five have died and five remain living.

The Broadway musical opened for the first time in November 1959. It was directed by Vincent J. Donehue and choreographed by Joe Layton. Sadly, this was the last musical written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the famous musical pair. Oscar Hammerstein died of cancer nine months after The Sound of Music premiered on Broadway. But the Broadway musical is not the most well-known version of The Sound of Music. For most people, it is best remembered as the film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Made in 1965, this film met with overwhelming success. However, the story line was not completely accurate and some changes were made, such as the children’s names. Despite these inaccuracies, The Sound of Music won the following five Academy Awards in 1965: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, and Best Scoring of Music-Adaptation. This beloved story has been adapted for nineteen other countries, making it world-famous.

My favorite song from this musical is “Edelweiss”. Sung by Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp, “Edelweiss” symbolizes the loyalty of the Austrians to their country. However, I pretty much like all the songs in this musical! As for my favorite one-liner, the line I remember the best happens in a conversation between the Captain and Maria after she and the children return from their afternoon out of the house and are dumped in the river. Maria is arguing with the Captain concerning all the little things he is missing with his children and he is denying it. As she goes on and on, he has finally had enough.

Maria: I am not finished yet, Captain.
Captain von Trapp: Oh yes, you are, Captain! … Fraulein.

He makes a mistake by calling her “Captain” instead of “Fraulein”, which is a German courtesy or title for an unmarried woman. However, the best part of the conversation including that line is the rapid exchange between the two actors and the expression on Maria’s face. I encourage you to watch this musical on your next free weekend or rainy day. It is a little lengthy. It is definitely the most popular movie musical of all time. But don’t just take my advice, see for yourself. Thanks for reading my post and feel free to leave a comment or post. Until next time… enjoy!

Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof is a classic musical that first appeared on Broadway in 1964 and was later adapted to the popular film in 1971. The story centers on the life of a poor Jewish milkman, Tevye, and his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions while the world is changing around him. His three oldest daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava, are married throughout the course of the story each one challenging the ancient traditions in different ways. Set in Tsarist Russia in 1905, the play showcases the Jewish lifestyle and beliefs as opposed to the Russians. In the beginning, the Jews and Russians live peacefully together but problems arise for Jews in their small village of Anatevka until finally they are evicted from their village by the Tsar’s edict. This musical draws the audience in with its unparalleled orchestrations that combine the original music of the Middle East with the grand resonance of Broadway. Of course, the most musical element is the actual fiddler. He appears several times throughout the story, mainly interacting with Tevye. Fiddler on the Roof has all the best and essential ingredients for a classic Broadway musical.
The original production opened on September 22, 1964, at the Imperial Theatre. From there, it moved to the Majestic Theatre in 1967 and finally to the Broadway Theatre in 1970. Names like Zero Mostel, Maria Karnilova, Herschel Bernardi, and Gino Conforti dominated the cast list. Fiddler was first run of a musical in history to exceed 3,000 performances, setting a record of 3,242 shows total. Nominated for ten Tony Awards, the Broadway hit won nine, including Best Musical, score, book, direction and choreography. Fiddler on the Roof enjoyed its position as the longest running musical for ten years until it was surpassed by Grease. However, it holds the title of Broadway’s fourteenth longest-running show in history.
The movie is equally impressive. It was no surprise that the film won three Academy Awards, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound, with arranger/conductor John Williams and director Norman Jewison. Played by Chaim Topol, Tevye is the most lovable and interactive character in the film. Occasionally, he will break the theatric “fourth wall” by talking to the audience or to the heavens (God) for the audience’s benefit. Best of all, the actual songs in the musical are what make it phenomenal. The most popular songs are “Matchmaker, Matchmaker”, “If I Were a Rich Man”, “Far From the Home I Love”, and “Sunrise, Sunset”. The last song, “Sunrise, Sunset”, is my favorite. This song is sung by Tevye (Topol), Golde (Norma Crane), Perchik (Paul Glaser), and Hodel (Michele Marsh) at the wedding of Motel and Tzeitel. I love to sing this song; in fact, I sing all the parts, not just the girls. I wish I could sing this as a duet (or quartet) with someone but that might be hard because it’s the parents singing about their daughter, Tzeitel, and how time has passed so quickly. But that doesn’t stop me from singing it at home and in the car! This musical is the epitome of classic and never grows old for me.
The things I love most about this musical are Tevye’s conversations with God, his dancing, his creativity, etc. Basically, I love Tevye’s whole character! He is determined to honor the traditions of old and show his devotion but he slowly and gradually integrates some more modern ideas through the actions and decisions of his three eldest daughters. He shows a familiarity with God through his entertaining and comical prayers. Incomparable, his dancing skills just add to his lovable and original character. Finally, he displays a quick and creative mind as he “dreams” up a story to tell Golde, his wife, to get her to accept Motel and Tzeitel’s marriage. He also has the best one-liners in the play. My favorite quote is an exchange between him and Perchik.

Perchik: Money is the world’s curse!
Tevye: May God strike me with it! And may I never recover!!!!

I hope I have convinced to you watch this musical again or perhaps for the first time! Leave me a post about your favorite parts or songs. Till next time, enjoy!