Hollywood Musicals from the Advent of Sound Until Today
A comprehensive history of the Hollywood musical. Other work by the author includes "The Fondas", "Forgotten Films to Remember" and "They had Faces Then".
The story of the movie musical begins before films could talk, during the theme-song era with hits like "Ramona" and "Charmaine." This revolution was ignited by Al Jolson's groundbreaking performance in The Jazz Singer, leading to the Broadway Melody era, where theaters boasted "100% All Talking---All Singing---All Dancing!" Early stars such as Nancy Carroll, Janet Gaynor, and Ramon Novarro are featured, alongside performers from other mediums like Maurice Chevalier and Eddie Cantor. After a decline in popularity, the genre was revitalized by Forty-Second Street, followed by iconic films starring Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, known for Busby Berkeley's elaborate production numbers. The narrative highlights Fred Astaire's enchanting film career, particularly his collaborations with Ginger Rogers, and traces Bing Crosby's rise from obscurity to stardom. The book also explores movie operettas, biopics of composers, and adaptations of Broadway hits, culminating in the "Golden Era" of musicals featuring Gene Kelly and original works by Kelly, Astaire, and others. With the resurgence of musicals like West Side Story and My Fair Lady, excitement for the genre is reignited. Each chapter includes a list of top songs and composers from the respective periods.