Easter Parade
Easter Parade (1948), starring Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Ann Miller
Synopsis of Easter Parade
On the day before Easter in 1911, Don Hewes (Fred Astaire) is crushed when his dancing partner and girlfriend (Ann Miller) refuses to start a new contract with him. To prove that he doesn’t need Nadine, Don acquires a new, innocent protegee named Hannah Brown (Judy Garland). He vows to make her a star in time for next year’s Easter Parade.
Read More »Easter ParadeOliver!
Oliver! (1968) starring Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Shani Wallis, Jack Wild
Synopsis of Oliver!
Musical version of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” adapted from the stage hit, 1968 Best Picture Oscar.
Read More »Oliver!Ziegfeld Follies
Ziegfeld Follies (1945) starring William Powell, Red Skelton, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball, Lena Horne, Kathryn Grayson and many more
Ziegfeld Follies is an attempt at recreating the spectacle of Flo Ziegfeld’s famous Broadway shows … And so the film is a series of unrelated musical and comedy routines. They’re unconnected except by the narration of the ghostly Flo Ziegfeld (played by William Powell) as he sits back in Heaven, thinking of the spectacles that he could create with then-current stars. The various acts include:
Read More »Ziegfeld FolliesNeptune’s Daughter [Esther Williams]
Neptune’s Daughter (1949) starring Esther Williams, Ricardo Montalban, Red Skelton, Betty Garrett, Keenan Wynn
Neptune’s Daughter is a laugh out loud funny romantic musical comedy, which I enjoyed immensely. Although the movie stars the beautiful (and aquatic) Esther Williams and the dashing Ricardo Montalban (one of my favorite actors), the movie comes to life when Red Skelton is onscreen.
Read More »Neptune’s Daughter [Esther Williams]Till the Clouds Roll By
Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) starring Robert Walker, Van Heflin, Paul Langton, Dorothy Patrick
A fictionalized biography of composer Jerome Kern, that begins with a short version of his famous Show Boat musical, with much of his life told in flashback, including his partnership with Oscar Hammerstein. It’s historical accuracy is poor, but Till the Clouds Roll By makes up for it with numerous musical numbers by the great singers of the day.
Read More »Till the Clouds Roll ByOn Moonlight Bay
On Moonlight Bay (1951), starring Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Leon Ames, Rosemary DeCamp
Synopsis of On Moonlight Bay
On Moonlight Bay is about a family that moves to a small Indiana town. Their tomboy daughter begins a romance with the neighbor across the street, who bears radically unconventional views on love and money.
Read More »On Moonlight Bay(Back Home Again in) Indiana
(Back Home Again in) Indiana lyrics – Music by James F. Hanley, lyrics by Ballard MacDonald (1917) – performed by Danny Kaye in The Five Pennies
Read More »(Back Home Again in) IndianaThe Battle Hymn of the Republic
The Battle Hymn of the Republic lyrics (1862). Music by William Steffe, lyrics by Julia Ward Howe
Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home
Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home lyrics – Written by Hughie Cannon in 1902
Won’t You Come Home Bill Baily
Won’t You Come Home
I’m Home The Whole Night Long
I’ll Do The Cookin’ Honey
I’ll Pay The Rent
I Know That I’ve Done You Wrong