Cabaret will never be described as a feel-good movie. It’s doubtful that it can ever be described as family friendly, either. It is, however, a very powerful movie, with great performances, very moving. It deals with broken people in a broken world, set in Germany at a time when the Nazi party is just coming to power.
The main characters are:
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It’s reported that the author of Mary Poppins despised the movie version, but she’s in a very small minority. Thankfully, unlike some other classic children’s movies such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, adults can enjoy Mary Poppins as much as when they were children.
Read More »Mary Poppins [classic family musical]![Anchors Aweigh [Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly]](https://family-friendly-movies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/anchors-aweigh-dvd-frank-sinatra-kathryn-grayson-gene-kelly.jpg)
Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra teamed up for their first of three musical comedies in this frothy confection of sailors on leave in Hollywood, with gawky, shy young Sinatra tagging along with his worldly buddy Kelly, who promises to show him the ropes. Overlong at more than two hours, this meandering production is light on story, and more than a little sentimental, but full of first-rate entertainment. Sinatra croons “I Fall in Love Too Easily” and “What Makes the Sunset,” chirpy costar Kathryn Grayson sings “All of a Sudden My Heart Sings,” classical pianist Jose Iturbi provides a little highbrow interlude, and Gene Kelly dances with cartoon mouse Jerry (of Tom and Jerry fame) when not chasing dames.
Read More »Anchors Aweigh [Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly]
I am a large fan of Laurel and Hardy’s March of the Wooden Soldier. It’s a wonderful children’s story for adults. Which, among other things, had a live-action version of Mickey Mouse appear. This was done with Walt Disney’s permission, since he and producer Hal Roach were close friends. In the same way, Walt Disney’s version of the story, Babes in Toyland had a comedy team impersonating Laurel and Hardy. And although I saw it many years ago as a child, I was eager to see it again as an adult.
Read More »Babes in Toyland [Annette Funiceello]
Bye Bye Birdie is a musical, with the songs held together by a fairly funny story. Actually, there are two or three stories interwoven together. It stars Dick Van Dyke as Albert, an unsuccessful songwriter who wants to be a successful chemist. But his controlling mother (Maureen Stapleton) pressures him into staying in the job. Much to the chagrin of his girlfriend Rosie (Janet Leigh). Rosie gets the idea of saving the song business by having them write a song. A song that’s guaranteed to be a hit.
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I’m very conflicted writing this review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I loved it as a child, but I have trouble enjoying it as an adult. Time began its review saying the film is a “picture for the ages — the ages between five and twelve” and that’s probably accurate. Even as an adult, I truly enjoy the various musical numbers (especially with Dick Van Dyke at the fair, performing Me Ol’ Bamboo, and several others). As well as the first half of the movie, up until the fantasy dream sequence.
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She’s Working Her Way Through College is an interesting musical. The basic plot has former burlesque dancer Hot-Garters Gertie (Virginia Mayo) having saved up enough money to attend college. So after talking to her former high school teacher (Ronald Reagan) who’s now a college professor. Who just happens to be in the audience for a totally innocent reason … And getting hit on by a sleazy man who offers her an oversize fur coat (an important plot point later). She leaves to attend the college where Reagan is teaching, in hopes of writing a successful play.
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Brigadoon, like most Gene Kelly movies, is a musical with plenty of singing and dancing. More than that, it is a movie with heart, and a strong message about the values that matter. It begins with Tommy Albright (played well by Gene Kelly) and Jeff Douglas (played to the hilt by Van Johnson). They’re Americans who are caught up in the rat race, and not loving it. Tommy is engaged, but is not eager to marry her. Partly to delay the wedding, he accompanies his best friend, Jeff, on a hunting trip to Scotland. There, they become lost.
