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The Magic Flute, written and directed by Ingmar Bergman

The Magic Flute

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The Magic Flute, written and directed by Ingmar Bergman

Synopsis of The Magic Flute

 A prince rescues a princess from a sorcerer in this version of Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute. Directed by Ingmar Bergman.

Product description of The Magic Flute

Ingmar Bergman’s Magic Flute is a magical adaptation of Mozart’s last opera. The tale of two star-crossed lovers–and an impish man whose greatest desire is to find a wife–unfolds through Mozart’s glorious score. With all the urgency of a live performance, it is the most successful popularization of an opera to date.

The Band Wagon (1953) Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Nanette Fabray, Oscar Levant, Jack Buchanan

The Band Wagon

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The Band Wagon – when an aging Hollywood dancer comes to Broadway, a couple of his playwright pals put together a musical.  They’re sure it will be a hit and cast him in the lead role. Things get stressful between members of the cast.  When the play has a disastrous opening night, the troupe members decide they must pull together to make the show a success.

Cabaret (1972) starring Liza Minelli, Michael York. Joel Grey

Cabaret (1972)

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Cabaret (1972) starring Liza Minelli, Michael York. Joel Grey

 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:

Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews, Dick van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Ed Wynn

Mary Poppins [classic family musical]

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Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews, Dick van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Ed Wynn

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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.

Babes in Toyland (1961) starring Ray Bolger, Annette Funicello, Tommy Kirk, Ed Wynn

Babes in Toyland [Annette Funiceello]

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Babes in Toyland (1961) starring Ray Bolger, Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands, Ed Wynn

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.

Bye Bye Birdie, starring Dick van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann Margaret, Maureen Stapleton, Paul Lynde

Bye Bye Birdie

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Bye Bye Birdie (1963) starring Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, Maureen Stapleton, Paul Lynde, Bobby Rydell

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.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill

Buy from Amazon 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 Magazine 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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