Movie musicals is a topic which I adore. Your wonderful video had really interesting information as well as well presented opinions. I agreed with many of your points. We’re definitely on the same page about the masterpiece West Side Story as it 100% deserved its Oscar for Best Picture. However, we’re definitely not on the same page about the Sound of Music. As a fanatic, I was struck by the comments about it being too sweet which honestly isn’t untrue. Some viewers, though, crave saccharine every once in awhile - An escape from the daily grind which that movie does provide. It isn’t trying to dig deep - This movie is more of a fantasy, almost a fairy tale. There are times when I just want to watch a tale where everything works out in the end, no matter how unrealistic. The Sound of Music is simply a feel-good movie which overall succeeds in making the audience (or much of the audience) feel good - Over and over again, year after year. I watched Oliver only once many years ago which was good, but not great (definitely not Sound-of-Music great) - To me, the best part of it was the acting, especially Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger (a rare male youth nominated performance as most youth nominated performances seem to be female). I would welcome a remake of My Fair Lady. This classic timeless story needs a new version made for the current generations. I actually prefer casting lesser known (maybe even unknown) actors in the two leading roles as opposed to Hollywood A-listers. It would be fantastic to give fresh talent the opportunity of a lifetime with such a remake. In watching it cast that way, I could focus on the characters, the plot, and the songs - Not the big names. It could be similar to the casting in the 2021 remake of West Side Story. I wasn’t too familiar with the two leading actors which actually helped me fully get into the storyline. Other movie musicals which were nominated and lost, but I wish had won include The Music Man (so rewatchable), Beauty & The Beast (hooray for it being not just a musical, but an animated musical), Moulin Rouge (super creative), Les Miserables (a bit underrated), and Cabaret (I recall initially being shocked it won the Oscars for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director, but not Best Picture, then I was reminded it lost to the Godfather, so case closed). Lastly, your video highlighted the 8 movie musicals which won the Oscar for Best Picture - For about a minute in 2016, there were 9 when La La Land was announced as the winner, but we all know what happened next……
For fun, I should have mentioned La La Land. I missed that opportunity. I know millions love TSOM, but surprisingly, there have been several comments who actually agree with me! That's what hopefully makes this topic fun to discuss. Thanks for such a thoughtful, detailed analysis of this subject.
You’re definitely not alone is feeling less-than-enthusiastic about the Sound of Music. One of the many reasons I appreciate your channel is getting exposed to different points of view. I greatly value all of your opinions even (and maybe especially) when they’re not the same as mine. They make me stop and think which I honestly don’t do enough - Sometimes I change my mind, sometimes I don’t, but it’s always important to consider other perspectives. Thanks for always providing us with a safe space to exchange ideas in the most respectful way😁 Your videos were, are, and always will be one of my favorite things (my last Sound of Music reference, I promise😉)
Peggy Wood was shot singing Climb Ev'ry Mountain mostly in shadow because she had trouble lip synching to the pre-recorded track. It was to hide her flubs. By the way, although she had been known in the past as a singer, she was dubbed because she felt that her singing voice was not up to the standard that it had been in her heyday.
To answer your question, YES the 1968 movie version of Oliver is definitely worth watching. I find it one of the best movie musicals out there, but one that's often strangely overlooked. Maybe because it deals with dark subject matter (child abuse, robbery, domestic violence, murder). Most people who like musicals generally don't like movies about these subjects, and people who don't mind movies about these dark subjects generally don't seek out musicals, so Oliver kinda slips through the cracks. The movie is exceptionally well cast, with strong acting (and singing) from all the main characters (even a hilarious cameo by Hugh Griffith as the magistrate). All the songs are great and very hummable, there's not a single dud among them. Choreography, costumes and sets are also exceptional with impressive attention to detail. The murder at the end of the movie is very shocking for a G-rated family musical, but I find this makes it all the more powerful. The movie really goes there and doesn't shy away from the brutal reality of the story it's telling. I always find this sequence difficult to watch and it usually haunts me afterwards. Another haunting sequence is Shani Wallis' rendition of 'As Long As He Needs Me', which is even more poignant once you know what happens to her character later. All up, Oliver is a must see, a very well put together movie musical that in my opinion definitely deserved its Best Picture Oscar. It has a talent and maturity to it, with none of the sugar-coating that many other musicals seem to have. I suppose ultimately it comes down to preference.
What an excellent and compelling presentation of the merits of that film. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Looking forward to more of your input on future videos.
It's funny that you talk about the dark aspects of Oliver, and I agree with you. The same could be said about Chicago. It deals with murder, the death penalty, spousal abuse, "supposed" pregnancy, extortion, lying and treachery. But because of the comedic nature and the over the top characters, it gets overlooked.
That's a great point! I wonder if the Academy didn't honor her because it would be like the industry admitting that "alternate means" were used to enhance the performances of major stars.
@oscarman42 I tend to think they didn't tell the audiences when someone was dubbed, the dubbers were never in the credits. They tried to get away with dance dubbing in Flashdance but people were having none of that and after the dance routine accompanying the song at the Oscar's, they brought the dancer who actually danced for Jennifer to the front of the stage and acknowledged her.
I enjoyed this analysis very much. However, I wish you had watched all the films before discussing them. Oliver! has some great moments, is stunningly filmed with some excellent performances and makes strong commentary on class differences.
As a life-long lover of musicals (stage and film both), I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I have researched and explored musicals all my life. Frankly, I really cannot fathom how you cannot have seen "Oliver!" It is an absolutely wonderful, classic film version of an iconic musical and deserves all of its accolades. And it does at least equal "Funny Girl" in quality. "The Sound of Music" -- yes, it has treacly elements, but look past that blanket prejudice and you will find much deeper elements of plot, character, drama and self-discovery (not to mention a musical score which works for the plot and story at every moment -- whether the songs are sweet or tart)! Other than the stellar performances of Julie Andrews, it cannot be compared to the frothy fairy tale movie that is "Mary Poppins". You also cannot dismiss a whole movie because of a few critics' opinions. The fact that audiences flocked to these movies on their release says something more significant (and the fact that we still view them with affection and admiration today should not be overlooked!). Marni Nixon was a genius. Not only did she own one of the greatest voices of the 20th century, but when dubbing for others, she could fully emulate what the stars would have sounded like if they possessed professional singing voices -- no mean feat, for sure. That is of much greater value that being able to hear Audrey Hepburn or Natalie Wood croak through a score that is clearly out of their range of ability. It would only have done them a disservice. Ultimately Hepburn (and Deborah Kerr in "The King and I") recognized this and praised her for it. Dubbing is like adding an extra layer of makeup to enhance a questionable complexion or costuming to better display one's figure. These musicals hold up today because they were great and they are the pinnacles of the careers of the great talents who defined the genre! Thank you for posting this video and giving us the opportunity to discuss this.
Thank you for taking the time to present some a compelling discourse on film musicals. I appreciate your viewership and look forward to your input on future videos.
Thank you for commenting on Marnie Nixon’s beyond words singing and dubbing qualities! When you saw The King and I or An Affair to Remember you saw Deborah Kerr singing 🎶, it didn’t matter if she didn’t actually. The image printed in the viewer’s minds is that she did, so convincing the Nixon dubbing was. Other than that, you said it all.
Imagine this plot in a pitch meeting: It’s a movie about a young girl being groomed to be a sex slave. Oh, and it’s a musical. Yes, that’s the story of Gigi.
@@oscarman42How about a video for us to comment on a choice of the 4 best supporting actors who won twice, ex: Mahershala Ali, Anthony Quinn, Jason Robards or Peter Ustinov, I think this will peek lots of interest! How bout it?
The best winners are West Side Story (its only weakness is Wood and Beymer), Chicago, and My Fair Lady. Andrews was never going to be casted in My Fair Lady because if Hepburn said now it was going to offered to someone else ( I believe Elizabeth Taylor). Also, I was surprise how close the film adaptation of My Fair Lady is to the stage version. That is something rare to see. As for Oliver, it gets better as the movie progresses. It does not shy away from the dark side of the story and has the strong performances by Moody, Wild, Wallis and Reed. It is better than Funny Girl but not better than the Lion in Winter. The Lion in Winter should have awarded the best picture along with Best Actor and Best Actress (which it was but not in a tie situation).
@@oscarman42 ... In regards to Andrews vs. Hepburn you can say this... while Andrews was clearly a better singer and made the most convincing cockney flower girl, Hepburn was far more believable as a princess.
The director of West Side Story (co-directed with Jerome Robbins) and The Sound of Music, Robert Wise, formerly worked as a film editor, among other films he was the editor of Citizen Kane. I think that his editorial skills are well seen in his execution of the two of the biggest films he directed.
Very much so. Interestingly, from what I've read, while he was a kind man and easy to work with, he didn't give actors much in terms of direction. Either he trusted them to do their jobs, or his focus was more on the overall look of the film. Your thoughts?
Please excuse any typos. I am typing with a broken wrist.. Dis n dat 1) It was said after the 1951 Academy Awards that A PLACE IN THE SUN and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE cancelled each other out, giving the Best Film award to AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. George Stevens won the Best Director Award to George Stevens for A PLACE IN THE SUN. 2) Actors hated working with Vincente Minnelli. They felt he was more concerned with how the movie looked (costume design and art direction) as opposed to helping them with their performances. 3) Rumor had it that Richard Burton and Cary Grant were working with vocal coaches in case Rex Harrison wasn’t case as MY FAIR LADY. 4) Michael, you know this was coming … I have to wonder what type of performance that Chita Rivera would have brought as Anita in WEST SIDE STORY. The casting of Rita Moreno in WEST SIDE STORY led to the “Chita, Rita” number in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY 5) If Rita Moreno was to appear in a Best Picture it should have been for THE KING & I. I will admit upfront that THE KING & I is my favorite musical on stage or screen. I wish THE KING & I or one of its competitors (GIANT, FRIENDLY PERSUASION or THE TEN COMMANDMENTS) won Best Picture over the snoozefest, AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS. 6) I would rather listen to the soundtracks from AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, GIGI or THE SOUND OF MUSIC than watch the films. I would rather listen to the original cast album of MY FAIR LADY or WEST SIDE STORY. Come to think of it, I would rather watch THE GREAT ZIEGFELD or GOING MY WAY than watch any of the films that won the Best Picture Oscar. 7) I am going to commit heresy, but I don’t like SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS or SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. 8) I would like to see MAME and HELLO, DOLLY! remade. The leading ladies were horribly miscast, 9) Years ago, NBC telecast GEORGE M.! It was presented as a staged reading with Joel Grey, Jack Cassidy, Nanette Fabray, Bernadette Peters and Blythe Danner. George M. Cohan deserves an honest film biography. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY glosses over much of Cohan’s life and GEORGE M.! was one of the first songbook musicals. 10) Michael, I would play to hear you sing, even if it was the Los Angeles telephone director. It should be noted that I couldn’t carry a tune if it was soaked overnight in SuperGlue 11) Gene Kelly directed HELLO, DOLLY! I will leave it at that 12) When ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY rated the first 70 Best Picture winners, WEST SIDE STORY ranked pretty low. The magazine said take they choreography and the cinematography from the film and nothing was left. 13) Christopher Plummer called THE SOUND OF MUSIC “The Sound of Mucus.” He mellowed his opinion once he realized how loved the movie was and that he would be better remembered for THE SOUND OF MUSIC as opposed to his Best Supporting Oscar for BEGINNERS.
Wow - not only did you take the time to share such a wonderfully detailed comment, but with a broken wrist, no less (hope you heal soon!). Thank you for re-posting (the first one never came through, as I would have remembered this!). My singing voice is amateur at best, but when a song is played in my key, I'm not half bad. Take care of yourself - and enjoy these musicals in whichever form suits you best!
I confess that I don't enjoy all of "American in Paris", as I have trouble sympathizing with Jerry, Gene Kelly's character. I find him insensitive and self-centered in his treatment of the Nina Foch character, though Kelly's charm is undeniable. For me, the key to the movie is ever irascible, troubled, talented Oscar Levant, who graces the movie with his acid, his magic fingers on the piano, and his closeness to the memory of his friend, George Gershwin.
Excellent video again, love the new format. My fair lady is a classic that shouldnt be remaid. Audrey hepburns omission from the best actress category is one of biggest mistakes in oscar history. I recently watched it with my son, he couldnt believe she wasnt nominated.
Thank you so much for your positive thoughts and your viewership. It's so interesting reading such disparate comments about Hepburn's performance - definitely a love/hate thing going on! (I agree with you, btw)
My favorite movie to win best picture is Chicago, I was absolutely obsessed with the movie when I was 11 going on 12. Catherine Zeta Jones was absolutely brilliant as Velma Kelly and you can't take your eyes off her. Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Dolittle is absolutely delightful and they should had used her vocals instead of Marni Nixon.
I was obsessed with it too (I'm a bit older lol). I got the DVD and played it over and over. And yes about using Hepburn's voice - Nixon was lovely, but the singing sounded so out of place.
I have heard recording of Hepburn singing My fair lady and they are OK. She definitely did not have the power on the high notes that Marni Nixon or Julie Andrews has.
Peggy Wood was in her seventies, and her pitch and vibrato had deteriorated to the point where she was unable to meet the considerable demands of the score. She not only had a hard time vocally with her "Climb Every Mountain" vocal (which had to be dubbed), but she had an even harder time being able to lip-sync to the pre-recorded track. The introduction is lengthy and when the vocal comes in, Peggy couldn't master the lip synchronization perfectly. Once into the song she did fine, but perfectly catching that first word was difficult and it kept getting flubbed. After several takes and seeing how it was distressing her with every try, producer and director Robert Wise had her face away from the camera so her face and mouth couldn't be seen. Her vocal started while she was turned away so she could synchronize her lip movement out of camera sight. Then when she turned towards the camera, she was in perfect sync. In fact, the overall effect of her looking through the window as if communing with a higher spirit worked even better than the original blocking, and it added to the mystical emotion of the song and scene. Grace Kelly was actually considered for the part of Baroness Shrader. The Sound of Music is one of my favorite Best Picture winners along with The French Connection, Rocky, The Silence of The Lambs, Forrest Gump, The Departed and Oppenheimer. Lastly, thanks for the word “treacly”. That was a fun word to learn.
What an interesting story. Taking into account all that you shared, it underscores even more (at least for me) the thought that Wood was undeserving of a nomination (the song, however, is still great).
@@oscarman42 I went to go see a production of The Sound of Music at my local community theater and the actress who played Mother Abbess belted the heck outta “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” bring new meaning to the terms “mind-blowing” and “indescribable”.
I love the fair lady Audrey. Her "Just You Wait" is a personal favorite number! I wouldn't have enjoyed staring at Julie Andrews' face as Eliza. I dare anyone to take their eyes off Hepburn commanding the screen in every scene.
I think Hepburn has been unfairly judged. Of course a performer in a musical should be able to sing, but she wasn't the only one dubbed during that era. Thanks for sharing your opinion on this controversial performance.
Come on. If you’re truly a film fan, you HAVE to watch Oliver! before you make a judgement! Oliver Reed and Ron Moody are so incredibly good in this - two very different portraits of villains, and as for Shani Wallis, well ….😢🥳 The musical also has a mix of tragedy and comedy, that gives the flavor of a work by Dickens. I can’t guarantee you’ll like it - who knew you’d dislike The Sound of Music - but you owe it to yourself to give it a try.😎
I think the best musicals have great stories on which to stage the musical numbers and let the performers shine. I've never cared for An American in Paris or Gigi because I find the stories weak. My favorite musicals include Singin' in the Rain, The Band Wagon, The Wizard of Oz, Silk Stockings, West Side Story and yes, Oliver! (you can't beat Shakespeare or Dickens for a good story.)
I've always loved Sound of Music, but I can totally understand why some people despise it. I think it might be one of those movies that you had to see as a child - time and time again, since it was broadcast every year on TV - to be able to ignore just how sickly sweet it is. This is one of those movies - like The Great Escape and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World - that I will never be able to judge rationally, LOL.
Anyone who knows me knows My Fair Lady is my favorite musical film and, oh yes!, favorite film. I distinguish between best film and favorite film, the former is an objective, critical judgment and the latter is a subjective, emotional judgement. Of course, the lines blur at times. I could rhapsodize about why I love My Fair Lady, everything about it and, oh yes yes Audrey's performance. In everyway this film epitomizes intelligence, style and elegance in a musical. I could write so much more :))) What a superb video, Michael, and I respect your analyses, as always. I could write an essay in response, but I will make a few points. We chiefly disagree about The Sound of Music, delectable sugar fare, and Chicago, which induces a kind of nauseating vertigo in me. Put it next to Cabaret to see how un Fosse-esque it is in so many ways. I'd include Cabaret on the list as my second favorite musical and gladly axe Chicago. I love An American in Paris and Gigi and West Side Story so much. Wood should have been nominated---give me a break. I believe Oliver is a good musical film, particularly in its evocation of a Dickensian world in the first part of the movie and Ron Moody's brilliant recreation of Fagin. But it's not as fine as Funny Girl or The Lion In Winter, nor the other great musicals on this list.
I completely agree on your take regarding objectively judging a film "best" or "favorite"; my favorite musical film is Gypsy (1962) simply because it was the first movie I ever saw on the big screen and that overwhelming experience is hard to beat.
My Fair Lady was my first too, my dearest grandmother taking me as a young boy. There I fell in love with Audrey Hepburn, from the first frame, but especially as she descended the stairs for the Embassy Ball. Her remarkable acting after the Ball and her rejection by Higgins, mesmerized me and sealed the deal. Yes, we're kin here :)))
To quote the ad, "This one's for you." Welcome back! I was hoping you'd be able join us for this video, for obvious reasons. I hope I was "fair" in my assessment of your favorite film. As you can see by others here, your commentary is something people look forward to - thank you for bringing such eloquence to the channel.
@@oscarman42 You were very fair on my fairest movie of them all. I have great fun here, able to vent my Oscar obsession without fear of reprisal. Some of my friends think I'm kind of mad and out of character in my attachment to the Academy. Who cares? We happily enable each other here. Thanks for ALL you do
Chicago was amazing! Gigi also very good! West Side Story fails as My Fair Lady does because the female leads were dubbed. If it’s a musical, you “gotta sing, gotta dance…” BTW: not everyone knows that in the iconic Singing in the Rain, Debbie Reynolds was dubbed by Betty Noyes. In the scenes Reynolds’ character, Kathy Seldon dubs Lina Lamont, the voice we actually hear is the natural voice of , yes… you’re gonna love this, Hagen’s voice.
Sure, give Oliver! a watch as an Oscars completist. Ron Moody was a fine Fagin, and I recall Shani Wallis delivering well with "As Long as He Needs Me." I don't think she was dubbed. It's been a long time since I've seen it. Very old-fashioned direction, but I guess it worked well enough for audiences. Your review of The Sound of Music is ridiculous. Can't cosign on that one. I'd personally leave My Fair Lady to the stage over another film adaptation. Emma Thompson was supposed to draft a new screenplay, but that never happened. I read that Lauren Ambrose was great in the last revival as Eliza.
Thank you. Please note about Chicago. The original Broadway nusical was not well liked. The revival is the story. 1. The original opened in 1975 and closed in 1977. It received mixed reviews. 2. It took years to retool and finally the revival opened in 1996 to enormous acclaim. 3. So there was only a six years gap between the revival and the film. 4. The original lost to A Chorus Line for the Tony Best Musical. 5. The revival won the Tony Best Musical. 6. It's currently the longest running still playing Broadway musical.
@oscarman42 No, I did see A Chorus Line. 1. Chorus Line winning Best Musical, I can see. 2. Phantom winning over Into the Woods, ditto. However, please be sitting, have no sharp objects near you. 3. In 1958, The Music Man won Best Musical over ...... West Side Story. Music Man is not even in the same universe as West Side Story. Or it belongs in the anti-matter realm. It's fine, but it's like a fluffer.
@oscarman42 Howdy, I have three more recommendations. I'm loving your commentaries. 1. Acting nominations that were on the cocktails of a film's sweep. a. Jamie LC, Everything b. Jane A, Kramer c. James C, Godfather 2. The biggest category fraud vs. performances are thought but aren't. a. Biggest frauds, Tatum O and Timonthy, who should have won. b. Aren't frauds, Anthony H in Silence, Louise F in Cuckoo's 3. Makeup and career Oscars a. Makeup, Bette D and Leonardo D b. Career, Al P and Art Carney Drum roll please, the worse, John W, True Grit
Two more: 4. Wins in any category because the film swept. a. Life Is Beautiful nut's Best Actor win b. Yeah, I'm talking to you LOTR: ROTK. Part of my hell will be to watch the two trilogies in a constat loop. My eyes will be kept open like Clockwork Orange. 5. Best Film winners tgat didn't win Best Director. a. Trivia, name the two recent films where the director wasn't even nominated. The first gave a career Oscar to one of the actors. Another trivia: what Best Film winner had no more nominations in any other categories? Going way back and had the famous line 'I want to be alone' Would have won Best Ensenble if that was a category. Oscars for supporting started in 1937 Thank whoever is up there or around us. a. This channel's content would be halved. b.with more bitching, might not be as polite. 🤣
"Chicago" is a wonderful movie; but I bear a small grudge against Rob Marshall's general concept in that he was anxious about people bursting into song, as they do onstage. He therefore decided to have all the numbers issuing from Roxie's imagination, which, among other things, lost us the number "Class", sung by Velma and Mama; and though it was filmed, it was cut from the production because it didn't feel as though Roxie would conjure it in her mind, and therefore, it had no place. To my own way of thinking, a musical is a musical, and audiences going to a movie expecting a musical should be trusted to understand the form. I dock a few points from Marshall's conception on the charge of not trusting us, the audience, enough.
A one-time oddity that never will happen again after the Academy changed the rules. My take? Doesn't make sense, and am glad the rules were changed to prevent it (I covered this in another video - Acting Oscar Oddities).
I also want to say that I had high hopes that the film versions of "Les Misérables" and "The Color Purple" would each win Best Picture, but sadly not only did neither one win. Neither film worked out the way I think they each should've been done!
I agree....I was very disappointed with the musical of The Color Purple (I didn't see it on stage, I just thought the film didn't work). Did you see the stage version? Why do you think the film flopped?
@@oscarman42 I never saw the stage version. I think the movie musical flopped because it made quite a bit of changes and didn't do so well as far as storytelling and production. I think the movie should've been directed by Steven Spielberg, since he did a great job with the 1985 film and the "West Side Story" remake, I think "The Color Purple" movie musical should've had more songs from the stage version like "Too Beautiful for Words" and "African Homeland" and I would've done some different casting like Cynthia Erivo as Celie and Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery, since they both played those roles in the Broadway revival! Then we would've had a Best Picture winning masterpiece!
@@oscarman42 The one thing "The Color Purple" did do right I have to mention was casting Danielle Brooks as Sofia, perfect casting! I thought her performance was the best part about it, just as good as Oprah Winfrey in the 1985 film and I think they both should've won Best Supporting Actress Oscars!
For me, pretty much nothing tops "Lion in Winter". Yes, "Oliver" is worth watching at least once. For a musical, it stays close to Dickens' spirit and reasons for bringing us this story, including the very, very dark episode, so it has the courage of its convictions. Fagin, a problematic but charismatic role (enacted with verve by Alec Guinness in the earlier non-musical adaptation), is brought to cringing, fascinating life by Ron Moody - the movie is worth the watching if only for him.
My favorites are The Sound of Music and Chicago. Next would be in no particular order Oliver! West Side Story and An American in Paris. Oliver! Has spectacular numbers worth at least one viewing. I think it’s worth more than one viewing just for the musical numbers. My least favorites are Gifi , My Fair Lady and The Broadway Melody. I would slightly rank My Fair Lady over the other two.
My beef with "Chicago" is a bit unfair, I do admit, but it remains with me to this day - its main competition for Best Picture was likely "The Pianist", which I feel is a superior movie. It resonated with me more strongly at the time, and still does. So I feel that "Chicago" should not have won.
It's always the most mentioned when the film is broadcast. I guess my problem with the win is that A Place in the Sun and A Streetcar Named Desire were the film's competition.
When I was 13 I loved oliver for me it's better than funny girl but the lion in winter was the best movie what I will always defend is that ron moody deserve the oscar in front of cliff robertson justice
It's appalling Hepburn's vocals were dubbed (Woods for WSS even more so) but I wonder had they not been, those films might be found under some dusty VHS of Camelot in a Walmart bargain bin decaying alongside Vanessa Redgrave's dark and dreary Guenevere.
THE BROADWAY MELODY was an innovative marvel in its day and remains one of the best of the early musicals. Plus Bessie Love got an Oscar nomination for best actress and Anita Page is also terrific. The weak link is Charles King.
So agree re 'The Sound of Music'. I love Audrey Hepburn in 'My Fair Lady'. 'Oliver' I dislike but mainly because I think the source material - about child abuse, basically - should never have been turned into a musical. Love WSS, Chicago, Gigi. 'American in Paris' should never have won over 'Streetcar' or 'The African Queen', much as I like Gene Kelly.
@oscarman42 Not meaning any offense, but you are one of the only people that I know of who says or believes that 'The Sound of Music" is anything other than a Great, Oscar Winning Movie! But, like you said, we can differ about certain movies and enjoy the idea of a musical!!..ps - wish someone would discuss the reasoning behind Nathan Lane not receiving an Oscar Nomination for "The Birdcage"!
@@nathantaylor1921 No offense taken. Surprisingly, several comments here said even worse things about the film, which confirms I am not alone. But that's what makes films and the Oscars so fun to discuss - and debate!
@@oscarman42 You are telling the truth. I myself have always loved MOVIES! Seemed I could understand them better than any readings. But, I have noticed that REwatching a movie over the years, one can interpret them differently. We'll, that's my feelings anyway. So please continue talking about movies. 👍🙂
@nathantaylor1921 There are many movies.I actually enjoyed better after seeing them a second or even third time. Look forward to your input on future videos!
Thank you for being not too harsh to "Gigi". TH-camrs love to kick that movie into pieces. I like it 1000 times more than that horrible "Sound of Music".
@@oscarman42 I agree, That Gigi was beautifully filmed (it was my Grandmother's favorite film). The only problem I have with it is the social climbing aspect of the story. Marrying off your 16 year old daughter to a rich person just to get social status, seems a little creepy. I loved the duet between Hermione Gingold and Maurice Chavalier.
@@oscarman42 The center of this, though, is that Gigi doesn't want to be groomed, and explains very well why. Her grandmother, who gave up the rewards of being a courtesan for similar reasons, sides with Gigi in that very important exchange with Aunt Alicia, who indulges in a poetic passage about love and eternal spring. "And when eternal spring is over," Gingold's Grandmamma asks. "What does that matter," Aunt Alicia responds. "It matters a great deal to Gigi, and shall I tell you, I don't disagree," is Grandmamma's answer (I'm paraphrasing, sorry). Gigi agrees, finally, because she truly cares for Gaston, and tells him she'd rather be miserable with him than without him. Even on that first (and really only) night out, she is still Gigi, and it changes the course of Gaston's entire attitude and destiny. The story is far from endorsing the grooming. It does present the advantages to this kind of life for a woman living at this period of history. It's just as honest about its drawbacks, as dependence on the generosity of another is part of the package, just as it is in a marriage at this time.
@@oscarman42 it's almost as if Westside Story was a rehearsal for what was to come with Sound Of Music. The slow pan of the city echoes the slow pan of the mountains. The music trickles in almost on the breeze in both cases and then the environment makes itself known as the music builds. In one we have the guys trying to contain their need to dance and constantly indulging in sudden moves or we have Maria as we rush to her she gleefully spins embracing us. They're both very different but the same and both are exciting
Ernest Lehmann was big on reveals: not only West Side Story and Sound of Music, but the tease of hiding Elizabeth Taylor in Virginia Woolf under the credits and Streisand's teasing entrance in Hello Dolly.
Robert Wise won Best Director for The Sound of Music over David Lean for DR. Zhivago. And sound of music won best picture. Perhaps the academy didn’t want to reward David Lean 3 times. In 8 years. Bridge onThe River Kwai1957? And Lawrence of Arabia1962.
I, too, waited to see 'The Sound of Music' until I was an adult. The anti -TV , 3 to 4 hour epic movies of the mid 1950's to the mid 1960's were just too long for a youngster . I always heard 'has Moses parted the Red Seas, yet' from my father. The Nazi storyline was also a good anti-sugar element to the film. In Austria, the film and the Von Tropps were unknown. The film is dubbed to German and yes with BLASPHEMY, Julie Andrews singing was also dubbed!!!! My Fair Lady: *take Me to the Church on TIme' was the only part of the film for me that didn't fit in.. it felt like filler . Oliver! : I was part of a high school production, so I saw the film. Hairstyles were 1960's ( Like so many period pieces of the '60's). Lyrics were basic and the story was sugar coated. West Side Story: also LONG but it always reminds me of the non- Regents ( non- college) high school students alternative book to Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. ALways had a problem with the casting of Natalie Wood. Her Gypsy Rose Lee was also dubbed and she didn't get along with Marni Nixon. Rita Moreno for me always overacts and is a bit for 'too much.' In interviews she WANTS that spotlight. Why was their a need for a WSS remake? Especially to the mobile phone generation?
Wonderful list. And I absolutely agree with your top choice West Side Story!. Perhaps another great video would be Musicals that should've won Best Picture. 🫠
I can't believe you produced this video without watching "Oliver." If you're going to talk about the movies, you should at least watch them. That being said, yes "Oliver" was a better movie than "Funny Girl." Streisand was the star and it was her movie, but beyond that it was pedestrian. "Oliver" was a different type movie than "The Lion in Winter." I thought the acting in Lion was tremendous (especially Peter O'Toole, who should have won that year), but Oliver was a better picture technically, and Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Shani Wallis, and Jack Wild were excellent. The musical sequences (especially "Consider Yourself" and "Who Will Buy") were magnificent. At the time, I thought Lion should have won, but with hindsight I can see how Oliver was voted best picture.
“Oliver” is definitely worth the watch! Another aspect to consider was the orchestration of the original musical score that was done for the movie. The movie score is a masterpiece and added so much more depth and emotion. If you did a side by side of “As Long as He Needs Me” between the musical version and the movie score you’d hear just how much more passion and richness the movie delivers musically as compared with the original musical score.
@@randyglasner4608 Excellent observation. I saw it at the theaters when it came out and enjoyed it. My appreciation has only increased through the years.
I watched 5 of these. West Side Story once was my favorite film as well. My Opinion of the film slowly went down hill over the last three months or so. It's still my favourite of these 10 films, not better than Breakfast at Tiffany's, Judgement at Nuremberg or The Hustler. I like My Fair Lady but prefer other films from that year, speacily The Nigth of the Iguana. If Hepburn could sing in Funny Face (Witch i prefer over this) than she could sing in this film to. The only song that uses her vocals in MFL is Just you Wait! Not coincidentaly, my favourite from the film. Chicago is the most original and creative of these and i think An American in Paris is neigther good nor bad. As for The Sound of Mucus, i mean... Music, I HATE THIS FILM! Not for being bad, but for wining against 4 MASTERPIECES! Dr Djivago, The Ship of Fools, A Thousand Clowns and Darling deserved better! It's my second least favorite best picture winner and alongside Titanic, the only ones i hate!
LOL! You made me literally laugh at TSOM. I thought I would be lynched for not worshipping such a beloved film. Tell me...why has your opinion of WSS changed recently? Did you prefer the remake?
@@oscarman42 actually i hate the WSS remake, even if i saw it first. I still realy like the original version, in fact i think it deserved the best adapted screeplay instead of Judgement at Nuremberg. West side story still holds a place in my heart, as an amateur screenwriter, i wished to recreate it's style in my way. The musical genre is still my favourite one, but nothing beats Cabaret. The main things that decreased my liking for WSS are myself growing up, i was 15 when i watched it first; and i do think some of its oscar wins are exaggerated. Best Direction and the 6 Technical wins are ok, but best Picture that year should have been either Breakfast at Tiffany's or The Children's Hour, with WWS or Rob Rossen's "The Hustler" at third. I'd prefer Tamblyn to win Supporting Actor instead of Chakiris (Peter Falk could be Removed) and Moreno is oscar-worthy for both the original and the remake. However, in my opinion, both Monty Clift & Judy Garland should have won these awards for their short but atention stealing perfomances in Judgement at Nuremberg.
Interesting, I don't think I've seen any of these films through...I love West Side Story and have seen most of it but never from beginning to end...I guess there's a deficit in my love for movies. Or taking the leap to this genre has always had its challenges..."Chicago", for me, seemed flat, visually, almost rushed...Who knows, maybe I'll watch it on a plane ride some day...Seems like that kinda movie...Love all your casting tid bits, thanks for that...I'll stick with "Hair", my favorite musical that received ZERO Oscar noms...HA!
Musicals are definitely not a genre that all moviegoers enjoy. Some friends of mine hate the notion of a performer breaking into song and dance in the middle of speaking. I'm fascinated by dance, hence my love of West Side Story and its choreography. Thanks for sharing your honest views!
"Lion in Winter" or "Romeo and Juliet" should have won "Best Picture" in 1968. "Oliver" ws good, but not that good. IMHO, of course. I thought "Funny Girl" was excellent, too.
OLIVER is "problematic" for sure. You're correct in that Shani Wallis is the reason to watch; there's a twinkle and a charm in her performance along with a great voice. Energetic choreo, atmospheric design, marvelous character actors. Jack Wild's Dodger is just right, and Ron Moody's broad music-hall Fagin levels the dark tone. But everything poor Mark Lester opens his little badly dubbed mouth, I cringe and hit the fast forward button. 15 year old me didn't think it deserved its BP Oscar and neither does 71 year old me. Sorry/not sorry.
@@oscarman42 40+ years ago, I got to be her personal shopper for an afternoon in Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills. And I saw her marvelous "Sally" in FOLLIES in Long Beach, so she has a little place in my heart... 😉
Oliver has wonderful performances by all the leads and a not so great performance by Oliver himself...the music is fun and catchy and the dancing is truly inspired...it also has a rather tragic end for one character which is truly disturbing... The Sound of Music is a vast improvement over the stage show and Andrews should have won the Oscars back to back for both Poppins and Music... Plummer is perfect as the captain and neither he nor Andrews lets the schmaltz become overbearing... My Fair Lady suffers from a weak performance from Hepburn in the 1st half and the dubbing takes you out of the film as it was done later and doesn't really match well.. Harrison was good as Higgins but seemed a bit too old and a bit too angry at times...stilted direction where the camera remains stagnant at times didn't help either...if only Minnelli had taken on the assignment...
Musicals are probably the most divisive genre of film especially those adapted from shows because everyone has an opinion about whether the musical show is better than the film. What changes have been made etc. I think you have presented this very well. However I would raise several points. 1. Should you really have even done this piece if you hadn’t watched all the films? Oliver is an excellent show and an excellent musical and for you not to have watched it makes a bit of this whole post a waste of time. 2. Peggy Wood was dubbed for the sound of music. 3. I accept SOM can appear sugary. Etc. and you are more than entitled to your opinion. However why was that the only film you felt the need to read out critical reviews for? Why not all? My guess is you know it’s a beloved film and your own dislike you knew would not go down well so you needed back up. Just have the balls to have your view. I hate Titanic all the Lord of the Rings films. But I don’t need to find critical reviews to support my dislike. I accept they are beloved just not my cup of tea. If you step back it’s beautifully shot. And the score is luscious. The acting is first rate. Eleanor Parker was not added because she was well known Julie Andrews was signed because she was a film star by then. Parker was signed because unlike the show they decided to make Elsa a villainess and that was mothers milk to Ms Parker. 4. I too feel sorry for Audrey Hepburn. She was a delight. I disagree that they should have left her vocals in because Eliza is such a massive vocally challenging part. It’s a disservice however to the memory of a beautiful gracious kind actress to criticise her performance solely based on who could have been cast. 5. Why on earth cast Richard Beymar. If he’d been a star I get it. But he was totally unknown and yet they cast a man they needed to dub. I think Natalie Wood is a delight and it’s sad that she was dubbed. Her real voice was really sweet. Thanks for your channel it’s really interesting
I think "Mary Poppins" and "Beauty and the Beast" should've won the Best Picture Oscars for 1964 and 1991, and instead of a "Mary Poppins" sequel, there should've been a remake of 'My Fair Lady" with Emily Blunt as Eliza Doolittle and have that win Best Picture and Best Actress for 2018! I also think either the original or the announced remake of one of my favorite musicals "The King and I" should be a Best Picture Winner!
@@oscarman42 It looks like it's still been in development stage since it's announcement on February 12, 2021. All that's known is it's going to be released by Paramount, Temple Hill Entertainment producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey and Concord, who own Rodgers and Hammerstein's material. Fingers and toes crossed it will follow through and get made into an amazing Best Picture winning Movie musical masterpiece!
@@oscarman42 My full cast for a "My Fair Lady" remake would be Emily Blunt as Eliza Doolittle, Colin Firth as Professor Henry Higgins, Norbert Leo Butz as Alfred P. Doolittle, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Pearce, David Warner as Colonel Pickering, Ben Whishaw as Freddy Eynsford-Hill and Julie Andrews as Mrs. Higgins! There were actually plans for a remake to be made with Emma Thompson as Screenwriter, Cameron Mackintosh as Producer and John Madden as Director, but sadly it never made it out of development!
@@elephantbluepeter Wow, you really thought this one through. Fascinating! Frankly, as iconic as the original remains, I'm surprised it hasn't been remade (not complaining, though).
I have to disagree about Natalie Wood's singing voice. She tended to go flat at the end of her phrases, particularly when reaching for the high notes, and her high notes do very much sound like reaching. Her vocals were definitely not polished enough for a major singing role in a major movie musical.
I know I'm going to get blasted for this, but I hate the musical "Oliver". I played Oliver in the Broadway road company in the early 70's. 8 shows a week in different cities really took a toll on me and my family. Our director was cruel to all the kids and the majority of the cast would always play practical jokes on me. I have seen the movie only once and can't watch it to this day, too many bad memories. So, my viewpoint is a skewed by my experiences with the musical.
Agree with RB, his Tony was so out of place, but I thought NW was out of place as well. Agree WSS one of the best! I actually thought AAIP was just okay. TSOM brilliant in so many ways, the first movie I saw in a theater with friends. Thank you for your love of this sweet film. Mia Farrow was also considered for one of the 7 children. Yes Mike, go see Oliver in its entirety & it was worthy, it was deserving, Andre is going back to see it, WHERE IS (your) LOVE? Thanks for this upload today.
It's so wonderful when you (and others) evoke memories of your moviegoing experience. These are moments in our lives we always remember fondly - which is why many films (and songs) are part of our emotional landscape.
Oliver should never have one Best Picture. You forgot to mention Romeo and Juliet, another one that deserved the Oscar. My Fair Lady is another one I don't like. I don't like the play either.
I agree with your opinions right across the board. Funny Girl should have received best picture instead of Oliver, and Sound of Music is so sugary it makes my teeth ache. You question who should be in a remake of My Fair Lady. Two actresses popped instantly into my head and started slugging it out; Lady Gaga and Nicole Kidman.
OMG - someone agrees with me about TSOM! We're bonded lol. I could see Kidman as Eliza...Gaga would definitely be worth seeing what she could do with the role.
I'm with you on The Sound of Music. Diabetes inducing indeed. Got a good chuckle from that. Plummer regularly dismissed it as "the sound of mucus". Remember Lady Gaga singing "Climb Every Mountain" at the Oscars? She brought the house down! Disagree on An American in Paris and Chicago. Both deserved their Oscar wins. Love "I Remember It Well" from Gigi. Hermione Gingold really knew how to deliver a line, didn't she? And you're right about Rita Moreno. All that talent with looks AND a body of death? The lord made her on a good day. She's not an EGOT winner for nothin'. How come no one found a suitable vehicle for Marni Nixon? That she's primarily known for dubbing vocals is just wrong. As for My Fair Lady, IMO, it's the gold standard for what a musical should be. Stunning to look at and top notch performances all around. Stanley Holloway, need I say more? And Rex, of course. "But Let a Woman in Your Life" is sublime. He virtually invented talk-singing. Interesting question as to who would star in a remake. How about Jeremy Irons (maybe a bit long in the tooth, but with the gravitas to fully embody Higgins) and Arianna Dubose? P.S. if you want a good laugh, check out the SCTV sketch where the GREAT Andrea Martin as Pirini Scleroso does "The Rain in Spain" sequence. Joe Flaherty (RIP) is fabbo as Higgins and Dave Thomas does a spot-on Wilfred Hyde-White. It's hilarious. Finally, I think La La Land deserved to win. It single-handedly revived a long lost genre. Watson and Gosling were fantastic. The LA freeway number to open is innovative and I understood the rationale behind every shot. It's a charming movie. No disrespect to Moonlight, but in my book LLL should have won.
Wow, thanks for such a detailed analysis of this subject. I think you may have missed the part where I stated that I loved Chicago - so we actually agree! I'm pretty much healed from the lumps I took for not liking Sound of Music, so your comment is helping in my recovery. And great question about Marni Nixon. Perhaps acting wasn't her forte?
The only two musicals that I would never take the Oscars away from are West Side Story and Oliver! I suspect the voting in 1961 was not close at all. West Side Story's margin of victory must have been among the largest ever. I expected The Lion in Winter to beat out Oliver! and I would have been okay with that but I'm glad Oliver! pulled it off. In any other year, Cabaret would have won Best Picture, and it is heads above most of the other musicals that did win. My Fair Lady was fine, but it felt like it was just a filmed Broadway play. The Sound of Music is too sickly sweet for me. I suspect An American in Paris won because A Streetcar Named Desire and A Place in the Sun cancelled each other out. I would have preferred either one. Gigi just happened to hit a year when no other obvious Best Picture winner came along. Heck, Auntie Mame was much more enjoyable. I enjoyed Chicago but I would have voted for any of the other four over it.
@@oscarman42 He was unbearable especially because he was unfaithful during his relationships. For his acting I think it was fine not sure it was Oscar worthy because really he was just playing himself, a pompous ass.
I have to agree with you Michael! I developed diabetes watching The Sound of Music. When the guests waved back to the children at the end of the So Long Farewell number, I was ready to lean over and vomit. West Side Story has to be my favorite! Natalie Wood made a respectable Maria but Richard Beymer???? I couldn’t believe Robert Wise chose him. I saw Oliver in the theater but didn’t really care for it that much. Yes, I liked Shani Wallis too but she gets killed at the end of the movie which makes me dislike this movie more. I have to say I loved My Fair Lady ever since I first saw it as a kid and have been an Audrey Hepburn fan from that day forward. Audrey sang most of Just You Wait and I felt that she should’ve sang Wouldn’t It Be Loverly also because the key was within her range. She definitely needed to be dubbed for the higher notes/parts of I Could’ve Danced All Night. But that does not take away from her performance in my opinion. An American In Paris is enjoyable but not Best Picture worthy in my opinion. I prefer Gigi. For Gigi, I think it is sad that people today can’t enjoy a movie in the context of its historical sitting and judge it with the standards of the present day. They’re missing out on something that is delightful and entertaining.
Except for not (yet) seeing Oliver!, your comment reads like you and I sat down and discussed these films together! Surprisingly (at least for me), you and I are not alone in our dislike of TSOM...several others here have agreed with us - but were brutal lol! Thank you for sharing your thoughts - look forward to more of your input on future videos.
You are not alone about the Sound of Music, I agree with you and was force to watch it because I lost a bet. There are moments where it is just unbearable like the puppet show, the so long farewell number, the hooky music playing while they are escaping from the NAZI, and could go on more but don't want to bore the comments section. However there are a few scenes that are excellent such as the "Climb Every Mountain", the dance scene between Andrews and Plummer, the Gazebo dance (not the song) and "Edelweiss".
LOL!!! Sorry you lost the bet! I was trying to be nice...but I love your honest commentary better. Why does this film remain so popular? Is it a fantasy so many enjoy?
Those moments which were unbearable for you are actually endearing to many audiences who still love this movie… Also, I find it prejudiced to include only the negative reviews of this movie and not the positive ones… Every other musical on this list has negative reviews, but to highlight the ones for SOM is quite biased…
@@oscarman42 For some it is probably brings back fond memories of them watching it as child. The power of film to cause personal memories rather than the quality of the movie.
@@gauravw6947 Firstly, most of the major reviews were negative - I found that in my research. Second, I think you forgot that I also mentioned that the film was a colossal box office success, which relegates any criticism to lesser importance, doesn't it? And third, aren't opinions biased to a degree, including yours?
I love "West Side Story" and Renee Zellweger in "Chicago." I have no interest in "The Sound of Music" and liked "Oliver," which, to me, is much better than "Funny Girl." I like the parts of "My Fair Lady" better than the whole. All the elements are right, so maybe I've just watched it too often.
There are definitely films I've liked parts of better than its entirety. Sometimes it's the length (hard to maintain the same level the longer a film is), and other times, especially with musicals, it's particular numbers which stand out more.
I couldn’t agree more about the icky, sickening sweet The Sound of Music. I have never understood its appeal. In my house we call it The sound of Mucus. I loved My Fair Lady and I thought Audrey Hepburn was completely believable as Eliza. It never bothered me that her singing voice was dubbed. She is a much better actor than Julie Andrews and the film needed a recognizable star. Rex Harrison is superb and this film should NEVER be remade. And I LOVE Gigi! I watch it often. If anyone today is repelled by the subject, they should remember it takes place in 1900, not in today’s world. Get over it! Oliver is just okay. I love Natalie Wood, but she was miscast in West Side Story and i will never figure out the brains behind the decision to cast Richard Beymer who brought nothing to the role. Rita Moreno was the whole movie. I like Chicago a lot, and even though I dislike all three lead actors, they did a good job in this one. I did see it on Broadway with Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, so my kudos to the three actors is praise indeed. I did think the casting of John C. Reilly was perfect. I dislike intensely An American in Paris. It bored me to death and I was never a fan of Gene Kelly, who by all accounts was a horrible human being. Leslie Caron is adorable, though. I loved her Gigi. Sorry I’m long-winded, but that’s my take.
@kathyt8374 How did the stage version of Chicago compare to the film? Thanks for welcoming me into the Sound of Mucus club LOL. I appreciate the time taken to write such a thoughtful and detailed comment. Look forward to more of your input on future videos!
@@oscarman42 The Chicago film story followed the play almost exactly, which I really appreciated. A few songs were lost, but they didn’t significantly matter, although I really liked two of them. I thought three leads in the movie did a fine job and they pleasantly surprised me. But the play had Verdon and Rivera and Jerry Orbach, so how can you compare anyone to those legends? The choreography in the play was pure Fosse, and even though Rob Marshall channels him, it just wasn’t the same. If you’re interested in seeing some numbers with the original cast search for Chicago + Verdon, Rivera or Orbach on TH-cam. They performed at the Tonys that year and also on the Mike Douglas show around that time. They are fun to watch.
Movie musicals is a topic which I adore. Your wonderful video had really interesting information as well as well presented opinions. I agreed with many of your points. We’re definitely on the same page about the masterpiece West Side Story as it 100% deserved its Oscar for Best Picture.
However, we’re definitely not on the same page about the Sound of Music. As a fanatic, I was struck by the comments about it being too sweet which honestly isn’t untrue. Some viewers, though, crave saccharine every once in awhile - An escape from the daily grind which that movie does provide. It isn’t trying to dig deep - This movie is more of a fantasy, almost a fairy tale. There are times when I just want to watch a tale where everything works out in the end, no matter how unrealistic. The Sound of Music is simply a feel-good movie which overall succeeds in making the audience (or much of the audience) feel good - Over and over again, year after year.
I watched Oliver only once many years ago which was good, but not great (definitely not Sound-of-Music great) - To me, the best part of it was the acting, especially Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger (a rare male youth nominated performance as most youth nominated performances seem to be female).
I would welcome a remake of My Fair Lady. This classic timeless story needs a new version made for the current generations. I actually prefer casting lesser known (maybe even unknown) actors in the two leading roles as opposed to Hollywood A-listers. It would be fantastic to give fresh talent the opportunity of a lifetime with such a remake. In watching it cast that way, I could focus on the characters, the plot, and the songs - Not the big names. It could be similar to the casting in the 2021 remake of West Side Story. I wasn’t too familiar with the two leading actors which actually helped me fully get into the storyline.
Other movie musicals which were nominated and lost, but I wish had won include The Music Man (so rewatchable), Beauty & The Beast (hooray for it being not just a musical, but an animated musical), Moulin Rouge (super creative), Les Miserables (a bit underrated), and Cabaret (I recall initially being shocked it won the Oscars for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director, but not Best Picture, then I was reminded it lost to the Godfather, so case closed).
Lastly, your video highlighted the 8 movie musicals which won the Oscar for Best Picture - For about a minute in 2016, there were 9 when La La Land was announced as the winner, but we all know what happened next……
For fun, I should have mentioned La La Land. I missed that opportunity. I know millions love TSOM, but surprisingly, there have been several comments who actually agree with me! That's what hopefully makes this topic fun to discuss. Thanks for such a thoughtful, detailed analysis of this subject.
You’re definitely not alone is feeling less-than-enthusiastic about the Sound of Music. One of the many reasons I appreciate your channel is getting exposed to different points of view. I greatly value all of your opinions even (and maybe especially) when they’re not the same as mine. They make me stop and think which I honestly don’t do enough - Sometimes I change my mind, sometimes I don’t, but it’s always important to consider other perspectives. Thanks for always providing us with a safe space to exchange ideas in the most respectful way😁 Your videos were, are, and always will be one of my favorite things (my last Sound of Music reference, I promise😉)
@@AliGhozati1216 That's so sweet - appreciate it. This channel will always remain a place where all opinions are valid - no right or wrong here!
Peggy Wood was shot singing Climb Ev'ry Mountain mostly in shadow because she had trouble lip synching to the pre-recorded track. It was to hide her flubs. By the way, although she had been known in the past as a singer, she was dubbed because she felt that her singing voice was not up to the standard that it had been in her heyday.
Given those facts, was her Oscar nomination warranted?
@@oscarman42 I think so. She was the Mother Abbess.
@@oscarman42 Eleanor Parker was superb in The Sound of Music and truly should have been nominated rather than Peggy Wood.
@@barrylangford3276Indeed. Hers is the performance that gets better, gut punches even , if one allows themselves to grow up.
To answer your question, YES the 1968 movie version of Oliver is definitely worth watching. I find it one of the best movie musicals out there, but one that's often strangely overlooked. Maybe because it deals with dark subject matter (child abuse, robbery, domestic violence, murder). Most people who like musicals generally don't like movies about these subjects, and people who don't mind movies about these dark subjects generally don't seek out musicals, so Oliver kinda slips through the cracks.
The movie is exceptionally well cast, with strong acting (and singing) from all the main characters (even a hilarious cameo by Hugh Griffith as the magistrate). All the songs are great and very hummable, there's not a single dud among them. Choreography, costumes and sets are also exceptional with impressive attention to detail.
The murder at the end of the movie is very shocking for a G-rated family musical, but I find this makes it all the more powerful. The movie really goes there and doesn't shy away from the brutal reality of the story it's telling. I always find this sequence difficult to watch and it usually haunts me afterwards. Another haunting sequence is Shani Wallis' rendition of 'As Long As He Needs Me', which is even more poignant once you know what happens to her character later.
All up, Oliver is a must see, a very well put together movie musical that in my opinion definitely deserved its Best Picture Oscar. It has a talent and maturity to it, with none of the sugar-coating that many other musicals seem to have. I suppose ultimately it comes down to preference.
What an excellent and compelling presentation of the merits of that film. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Looking forward to more of your input on future videos.
It's funny that you talk about the dark aspects of Oliver, and I agree with you. The same could be said about Chicago. It deals with murder, the death penalty, spousal abuse, "supposed" pregnancy, extortion, lying and treachery. But because of the comedic nature and the over the top characters, it gets overlooked.
@@stuartm6069 Plus the songs don't hurt, either.
It's a fact of life that any movie with Hugh Griffith in it can't be all bad!
Marnie Nixon deserved an honorary Oscar for all her dubbing. An American in Paris deserved the Oscar simply for those glorious last 20 minutes.
That's a great point! I wonder if the Academy didn't honor her because it would be like the industry admitting that "alternate means" were used to enhance the performances of major stars.
@@joeburinskas8672 Nixon's best work is The King And I; she matches Kerr's speaking voice exactly.
@oscarman42 I tend to think they didn't tell the audiences when someone was dubbed, the dubbers were never in the credits. They tried to get away with dance dubbing in Flashdance but people were having none of that and after the dance routine accompanying the song at the Oscar's, they brought the dancer who actually danced for Jennifer to the front of the stage and acknowledged her.
@@paulsuchy6210 She was excellent
@@joeburinskas8672 And rightfully so!
I enjoyed this analysis very much. However, I wish you had watched all the films before discussing them. Oliver! has some great moments, is stunningly filmed with some excellent performances and makes strong commentary on class differences.
Thank you! Since I had such strong views on the others, I didn't want to wait until I made the time to watch that one film.
As a life-long lover of musicals (stage and film both), I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I have researched and explored musicals all my life. Frankly, I really cannot fathom how you cannot have seen "Oliver!" It is an absolutely wonderful, classic film version of an iconic musical and deserves all of its accolades. And it does at least equal "Funny Girl" in quality. "The Sound of Music" -- yes, it has treacly elements, but look past that blanket prejudice and you will find much deeper elements of plot, character, drama and self-discovery (not to mention a musical score which works for the plot and story at every moment -- whether the songs are sweet or tart)! Other than the stellar performances of Julie Andrews, it cannot be compared to the frothy fairy tale movie that is "Mary Poppins". You also cannot dismiss a whole movie because of a few critics' opinions. The fact that audiences flocked to these movies on their release says something more significant (and the fact that we still view them with affection and admiration today should not be overlooked!). Marni Nixon was a genius. Not only did she own one of the greatest voices of the 20th century, but when dubbing for others, she could fully emulate what the stars would have sounded like if they possessed professional singing voices -- no mean feat, for sure. That is of much greater value that being able to hear Audrey Hepburn or Natalie Wood croak through a score that is clearly out of their range of ability. It would only have done them a disservice. Ultimately Hepburn (and Deborah Kerr in "The King and I") recognized this and praised her for it. Dubbing is like adding an extra layer of makeup to enhance a questionable complexion or costuming to better display one's figure. These musicals hold up today because they were great and they are the pinnacles of the careers of the great talents who defined the genre! Thank you for posting this video and giving us the opportunity to discuss this.
Thank you for taking the time to present some a compelling discourse on film musicals. I appreciate your viewership and look forward to your input on future videos.
Thank you for commenting on Marnie Nixon’s beyond words singing and dubbing qualities! When you saw The King and I or An Affair to Remember you saw Deborah Kerr singing 🎶, it didn’t matter if she didn’t actually. The image printed in the viewer’s minds is that she did, so convincing the Nixon dubbing was. Other than that, you said it all.
Imagine this plot in a pitch meeting: It’s a movie about a young girl being groomed to be a sex slave. Oh, and it’s a musical. Yes, that’s the story of Gigi.
With music and lyrics by Lerner and Lowe.
West Side Story for sure is one of the greatest Oscar Best Picture winners of all time!
I most definitely agree with you!
Darn right ✅️
@@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719 Notice I refrained from mentioning the sequel...
@@oscarman42 That was a good idea 🙃
@@oscarman42How about a video for us to comment on a choice of the 4 best supporting actors who won twice, ex: Mahershala Ali, Anthony Quinn, Jason Robards or Peter Ustinov, I think this will peek lots of interest! How bout it?
Yes, take the time to view Oliver You will enjoy the time you spend with this engaging film.
Thank you - appreciate the recommendation!
The best winners are West Side Story (its only weakness is Wood and Beymer), Chicago, and My Fair Lady. Andrews was never going to be casted in My Fair Lady because if Hepburn said now it was going to offered to someone else ( I believe Elizabeth Taylor). Also, I was surprise how close the film adaptation of My Fair Lady is to the stage version. That is something rare to see.
As for Oliver, it gets better as the movie progresses. It does not shy away from the dark side of the story and has the strong performances by Moody, Wild, Wallis and Reed. It is better than Funny Girl but not better than the Lion in Winter. The Lion in Winter should have awarded the best picture along with Best Actor and Best Actress (which it was but not in a tie situation).
Thanks for the recommendation! You make an excellent case for me to watch Oliver!
@@oscarman42 ... In regards to Andrews vs. Hepburn you can say this... while Andrews was clearly a better singer and made the most convincing cockney flower girl, Hepburn was far more believable as a princess.
@@infonut True - both had something to bring to the role.
The director of West Side Story (co-directed with Jerome Robbins) and The Sound of Music, Robert Wise, formerly worked as a film editor, among other films he was the editor of Citizen Kane. I think that his editorial skills are well seen in his execution of the two of the biggest films he directed.
Very much so. Interestingly, from what I've read, while he was a kind man and easy to work with, he didn't give actors much in terms of direction. Either he trusted them to do their jobs, or his focus was more on the overall look of the film. Your thoughts?
Loved this video!
Thank you so much! Do you have a favorite among them?
@@oscarman42 I just commented
@@RobertPagano226 The comments come to me newest first so I have to catch up!
I like the "sickly sweet" Sound of Music because there is no sin in being sweet and kind and romantic.
I agree with that in theory. I guess it just pushed those limits for my taste.
Yes, I Saw Oliver AND it was brilliant!!! It Is An OLD movie--YES!!
I had the movie soundtrack when a child
Thank you! I trust your judgment!
@@davidstevenson404 That tells me everything I need to know!
@@oscarman42 Thank YOU!!!
Please excuse any typos. I am typing with a broken wrist..
Dis n dat
1) It was said after the 1951 Academy Awards that A PLACE IN THE SUN and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE cancelled each other out, giving the Best Film award to AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. George Stevens won the Best Director Award to George Stevens for A PLACE IN THE SUN.
2) Actors hated working with Vincente Minnelli. They felt he was more concerned with how the movie looked (costume design and art direction) as opposed to helping them with their performances.
3) Rumor had it that Richard Burton and Cary Grant were working with vocal coaches in case Rex Harrison wasn’t case as MY FAIR LADY.
4) Michael, you know this was coming … I have to wonder what type of performance that Chita Rivera would have brought as Anita in WEST SIDE STORY. The casting of Rita Moreno in WEST SIDE STORY led to the “Chita, Rita” number in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY
5) If Rita Moreno was to appear in a Best Picture it should have been for THE KING & I. I will admit upfront that THE KING & I is my favorite musical on stage or screen. I wish THE KING & I or one of its competitors (GIANT, FRIENDLY PERSUASION or THE TEN COMMANDMENTS) won Best Picture over the snoozefest, AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS.
6) I would rather listen to the soundtracks from AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, GIGI or THE SOUND OF MUSIC than watch the films. I would rather listen to the original cast album of MY FAIR LADY or WEST SIDE STORY. Come to think of it, I would rather watch THE GREAT ZIEGFELD or GOING MY WAY than watch any of the films that won the Best Picture Oscar.
7) I am going to commit heresy, but I don’t like SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS or SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN.
8) I would like to see MAME and HELLO, DOLLY! remade. The leading ladies were horribly miscast,
9) Years ago, NBC telecast GEORGE M.! It was presented as a staged reading with Joel Grey, Jack Cassidy, Nanette Fabray, Bernadette Peters and Blythe Danner. George M. Cohan deserves an honest film biography. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY glosses over much of Cohan’s life and GEORGE M.! was one of the first songbook musicals.
10) Michael, I would play to hear you sing, even if it was the Los Angeles telephone director. It should be noted that I couldn’t carry a tune if it was soaked overnight in SuperGlue
11) Gene Kelly directed HELLO, DOLLY! I will leave it at that
12) When ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY rated the first 70 Best Picture winners, WEST SIDE STORY ranked pretty low. The magazine said take they choreography and the cinematography from the film and nothing was left.
13) Christopher Plummer called THE SOUND OF MUSIC “The Sound of Mucus.” He mellowed his opinion once he realized how loved the movie was and that he would be better remembered for THE SOUND OF MUSIC as opposed to his Best Supporting Oscar for BEGINNERS.
Wow - not only did you take the time to share such a wonderfully detailed comment, but with a broken wrist, no less (hope you heal soon!). Thank you for re-posting (the first one never came through, as I would have remembered this!). My singing voice is amateur at best, but when a song is played in my key, I'm not half bad. Take care of yourself - and enjoy these musicals in whichever form suits you best!
I confess that I don't enjoy all of "American in Paris", as I have trouble sympathizing with Jerry, Gene Kelly's character. I find him insensitive and self-centered in his treatment of the Nina Foch character, though Kelly's charm is undeniable. For me, the key to the movie is ever irascible, troubled, talented Oscar Levant, who graces the movie with his acid, his magic fingers on the piano, and his closeness to the memory of his friend, George Gershwin.
@@melenatorr I hated it when Nina Foch just disappeared from AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
Love your Oscar knowledge and videos & Thank you for now doing voice overs !!!
Thank you so much for watching! Looks like it's going to be my voice going forward!
Excellent video again, love the new format. My fair lady is a classic that shouldnt be remaid. Audrey hepburns omission from the best actress category is one of biggest mistakes in oscar history. I recently watched it with my son, he couldnt believe she wasnt nominated.
Thank you so much for your positive thoughts and your viewership. It's so interesting reading such disparate comments about Hepburn's performance - definitely a love/hate thing going on! (I agree with you, btw)
My favorite movie to win best picture is Chicago, I was absolutely obsessed with the movie when I was 11 going on 12. Catherine Zeta Jones was absolutely brilliant as Velma Kelly and you can't take your eyes off her. Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Dolittle is absolutely delightful and they should had used her vocals instead of Marni Nixon.
I was obsessed with it too (I'm a bit older lol). I got the DVD and played it over and over. And yes about using Hepburn's voice - Nixon was lovely, but the singing sounded so out of place.
I have heard recording of Hepburn singing My fair lady and they are OK. She definitely did not have the power on the high notes that Marni Nixon or Julie Andrews has.
Peggy Wood was in her seventies, and her pitch and vibrato had deteriorated to the point where she was unable to meet the considerable demands of the score. She not only had a hard time vocally with her "Climb Every Mountain" vocal (which had to be dubbed), but she had an even harder time being able to lip-sync to the pre-recorded track. The introduction is lengthy and when the vocal comes in, Peggy couldn't master the lip synchronization perfectly. Once into the song she did fine, but perfectly catching that first word was difficult and it kept getting flubbed. After several takes and seeing how it was distressing her with every try, producer and director Robert Wise had her face away from the camera so her face and mouth couldn't be seen. Her vocal started while she was turned away so she could synchronize her lip movement out of camera sight. Then when she turned towards the camera, she was in perfect sync. In fact, the overall effect of her looking through the window as if communing with a higher spirit worked even better than the original blocking, and it added to the mystical emotion of the song and scene. Grace Kelly was actually considered for the part of Baroness Shrader. The Sound of Music is one of my favorite Best Picture winners along with The French Connection, Rocky, The Silence of The Lambs, Forrest Gump, The Departed and Oppenheimer. Lastly, thanks for the word “treacly”. That was a fun word to learn.
What an interesting story. Taking into account all that you shared, it underscores even more (at least for me) the thought that Wood was undeserving of a nomination (the song, however, is still great).
@@oscarman42 I went to go see a production of The Sound of Music at my local community theater and the actress who played Mother Abbess belted the heck outta “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” bring new meaning to the terms “mind-blowing” and “indescribable”.
@@Robert-zx2ir That songs mandates to be a "belter"!
I love the fair lady Audrey. Her "Just You Wait" is a personal favorite number! I wouldn't have enjoyed staring at Julie Andrews' face as Eliza. I dare anyone to take their eyes off Hepburn commanding the screen in every scene.
I think Hepburn has been unfairly judged. Of course a performer in a musical should be able to sing, but she wasn't the only one dubbed during that era. Thanks for sharing your opinion on this controversial performance.
Come on. If you’re truly a film fan, you HAVE to watch Oliver! before you make a judgement! Oliver Reed and Ron Moody are so incredibly good in this - two very different portraits of villains, and as for Shani Wallis, well ….😢🥳
The musical also has a mix of tragedy and comedy, that gives the flavor of a work by Dickens. I can’t guarantee you’ll like it - who knew you’d dislike The Sound of Music - but you owe it to yourself to give it a try.😎
@andreasrensen6465 I shall, indeed!
I think the best musicals have great stories on which to stage the musical numbers and let the performers shine. I've never cared for An American in Paris or Gigi because I find the stories weak. My favorite musicals include Singin' in the Rain, The Band Wagon, The Wizard of Oz, Silk Stockings, West Side Story and yes, Oliver! (you can't beat Shakespeare or Dickens for a good story.)
So true! How many musicals failed on Broadway because the book was inferior? I'm sure you can come up with more examples than I could think of.
I've always loved Sound of Music, but I can totally understand why some people despise it. I think it might be one of those movies that you had to see as a child - time and time again, since it was broadcast every year on TV - to be able to ignore just how sickly sweet it is. This is one of those movies - like The Great Escape and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World - that I will never be able to judge rationally, LOL.
Oliver has one of my favorite soundtracks, and I love this movie. I'm a little surprised you haven't at least watched it once fully.
Anyone who knows me knows My Fair Lady is my favorite musical film and, oh yes!, favorite film. I distinguish between best film and favorite film, the former is an objective, critical judgment and the latter is a subjective, emotional judgement. Of course, the lines blur at times. I could rhapsodize about why I love My Fair Lady, everything about it and, oh yes yes Audrey's performance. In everyway this film epitomizes intelligence, style and elegance in a musical. I could write so much more :)))
What a superb video, Michael, and I respect your analyses, as always. I could write an essay in response, but I will make a few points. We chiefly disagree about The Sound of Music, delectable sugar fare, and Chicago, which induces a kind of nauseating vertigo in me. Put it next to Cabaret to see how un Fosse-esque it is in so many ways. I'd include Cabaret on the list as my second favorite musical and gladly axe Chicago. I love An American in Paris and Gigi and West Side Story so much. Wood should have been nominated---give me a break. I believe Oliver is a good musical film, particularly in its evocation of a Dickensian world in the first part of the movie and Ron Moody's brilliant recreation of Fagin. But it's not as fine as Funny Girl or The Lion In Winter, nor the other great musicals on this list.
I completely agree on your take regarding objectively judging a film "best" or "favorite"; my favorite musical film is Gypsy (1962) simply because it was the first movie I ever saw on the big screen and that overwhelming experience is hard to beat.
My Fair Lady was my first too, my dearest grandmother taking me as a young boy. There I fell in love with Audrey Hepburn, from the first frame, but especially as she descended the stairs for the Embassy Ball. Her remarkable acting after the Ball and her rejection by Higgins, mesmerized me and sealed the deal. Yes, we're kin here :)))
To quote the ad, "This one's for you." Welcome back! I was hoping you'd be able join us for this video, for obvious reasons. I hope I was "fair" in my assessment of your favorite film. As you can see by others here, your commentary is something people look forward to - thank you for bringing such eloquence to the channel.
William always provides such wonderful commentary and makes me think of things I should have said.
@@oscarman42 You were very fair on my fairest movie of them all. I have great fun here, able to vent my Oscar obsession without fear of reprisal. Some of my friends think I'm kind of mad and out of character in my attachment to the Academy. Who cares? We happily enable each other here. Thanks for ALL you do
Chicago was amazing! Gigi also very good! West Side Story fails as My Fair Lady does because the female leads were dubbed. If it’s a musical, you “gotta sing, gotta dance…” BTW: not everyone knows that in the iconic Singing in the Rain, Debbie Reynolds was dubbed by Betty Noyes. In the scenes Reynolds’ character, Kathy Seldon dubs Lina Lamont, the voice we actually hear is the natural voice of , yes… you’re gonna love this, Hagen’s voice.
Sure, give Oliver! a watch as an Oscars completist. Ron Moody was a fine Fagin, and I recall Shani Wallis delivering well with "As Long as He Needs Me." I don't think she was dubbed. It's been a long time since I've seen it. Very old-fashioned direction, but I guess it worked well enough for audiences. Your review of The Sound of Music is ridiculous. Can't cosign on that one. I'd personally leave My Fair Lady to the stage over another film adaptation. Emma Thompson was supposed to draft a new screenplay, but that never happened. I read that Lauren Ambrose was great in the last revival as Eliza.
Thanks for watching. All opinions are valid...there is no right or wrong on this channel.
Thank you.
Please note about Chicago. The original Broadway nusical was not well liked. The revival is the story.
1. The original opened in 1975 and closed in 1977. It received mixed reviews.
2. It took years to retool and finally the revival opened in 1996 to enormous acclaim.
3. So there was only a six years gap between the revival and the film.
4. The original lost to A Chorus Line for the Tony Best Musical.
5. The revival won the Tony Best Musical.
6. It's currently the longest running still playing Broadway musical.
Did you see it on stage?
@oscarman42 No, I did see A Chorus Line.
1. Chorus Line winning Best Musical, I can see.
2. Phantom winning over Into the Woods, ditto.
However, please be sitting, have no sharp objects near you.
3. In 1958, The Music Man won Best Musical over ...... West Side Story.
Music Man is not even in the same universe as West Side Story. Or it belongs in the anti-matter realm. It's fine, but it's like a fluffer.
@oscarman42 Howdy, I have three more recommendations. I'm loving your commentaries.
1. Acting nominations that were on the cocktails of a film's sweep.
a. Jamie LC, Everything
b. Jane A, Kramer
c. James C, Godfather
2. The biggest category fraud vs. performances are thought but aren't.
a. Biggest frauds, Tatum O and Timonthy, who should have won.
b. Aren't frauds, Anthony H in Silence, Louise F in Cuckoo's
3. Makeup and career Oscars
a. Makeup, Bette D and Leonardo D
b. Career, Al P and Art Carney
Drum roll please, the worse, John W, True Grit
Two more:
4. Wins in any category because the film swept.
a. Life Is Beautiful nut's Best Actor win
b. Yeah, I'm talking to you LOTR: ROTK.
Part of my hell will be to watch the two trilogies in a constat loop. My eyes will be kept open like Clockwork Orange.
5. Best Film winners tgat didn't win Best Director.
a. Trivia, name the two recent films where the director wasn't even nominated. The first gave a career Oscar to one of the actors.
Another trivia: what Best Film winner had no more nominations in any other categories? Going way back and had the famous line 'I want to be alone'
Would have won Best Ensenble if that was a category.
Oscars for supporting started in 1937
Thank whoever is up there or around us.
a. This channel's content would be halved.
b.with more bitching, might not be as polite. 🤣
@@raydunn8262 There's room for a little bitching once in a while. 😉
"Chicago" is a wonderful movie; but I bear a small grudge against Rob Marshall's general concept in that he was anxious about people bursting into song, as they do onstage. He therefore decided to have all the numbers issuing from Roxie's imagination, which, among other things, lost us the number "Class", sung by Velma and Mama; and though it was filmed, it was cut from the production because it didn't feel as though Roxie would conjure it in her mind, and therefore, it had no place. To my own way of thinking, a musical is a musical, and audiences going to a movie expecting a musical should be trusted to understand the form. I dock a few points from Marshall's conception on the charge of not trusting us, the audience, enough.
I had a crush on Gene Kelly and then fell in love with Audrey Hepburn. Took me years to work through all that.
I hear ya. Kelly was fascinating to watch, in so many aspects.
I love Sound of Music…my personal opinion is that Moulin Rouge should have won…it’s one of my favorites all time
That film doesn't seem to get a lot of love these days.
@@oscarman42 you are right…it was dazzling in my opinion. Nicole Kidman is much better here than she is in her Oscar winn8ng role in The Hours, imo
0:36 changing topics: how do you feel about Barry Fitzgerald being nominated in two separate categories for the same role in Going My Way? 🤔
A one-time oddity that never will happen again after the Academy changed the rules. My take? Doesn't make sense, and am glad the rules were changed to prevent it (I covered this in another video - Acting Oscar Oddities).
I also want to say that I had high hopes that the film versions of "Les Misérables" and "The Color Purple" would each win Best Picture, but sadly not only did neither one win. Neither film worked out the way I think they each should've been done!
I agree....I was very disappointed with the musical of The Color Purple (I didn't see it on stage, I just thought the film didn't work). Did you see the stage version? Why do you think the film flopped?
@@oscarman42 I never saw the stage version. I think the movie musical flopped because it made quite a bit of changes and didn't do so well as far as storytelling and production. I think the movie should've been directed by Steven Spielberg, since he did a great job with the 1985 film and the "West Side Story" remake, I think "The Color Purple" movie musical should've had more songs from the stage version like "Too Beautiful for Words" and "African Homeland" and I would've done some different casting like Cynthia Erivo as Celie and Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery, since they both played those roles in the Broadway revival! Then we would've had a Best Picture winning masterpiece!
@@elephantbluepeter Much better casting ideas!
@@oscarman42 Thank you very much.
@@oscarman42 The one thing "The Color Purple" did do right I have to mention was casting Danielle Brooks as Sofia, perfect casting! I thought her performance was the best part about it, just as good as Oprah Winfrey in the 1985 film and I think they both should've won Best Supporting Actress Oscars!
Honestly you should do more voiceover in your videos, I find it a bit more difficult to follow those with only writing on them😂
No worries - because of the positive response received, the future ones will have my speaking to you!
@@oscarman42 fantastic!! I’ll let my grandpa know, he’s the one who wanted me to make that comment. We watched a lot of old movies together
@@jiananlee5482 Please give your Grandpa a big hug from me!
@@oscarman42 I will do, I’ll download your videos(got TH-cam premium) and show him in the hospital;)
@@jiananlee5482That means a lot. Thank you.
For me, pretty much nothing tops "Lion in Winter".
Yes, "Oliver" is worth watching at least once. For a musical, it stays close to Dickens' spirit and reasons for bringing us this story, including the very, very dark episode, so it has the courage of its convictions. Fagin, a problematic but charismatic role (enacted with verve by Alec Guinness in the earlier non-musical adaptation), is brought to cringing, fascinating life by Ron Moody - the movie is worth the watching if only for him.
"Oliver!" definitely. "Sound of Music," probably. "Chicago," no. The others, maybe.
Tell me more about Oliver! - was it the score, the story, everything?
My favorites are The Sound of Music and Chicago.
Next would be in no particular order Oliver! West Side Story and An American in Paris. Oliver! Has spectacular numbers worth at least one viewing. I think it’s worth more than one viewing just for the musical numbers.
My least favorites are Gifi , My Fair Lady and The Broadway Melody.
I would slightly rank My Fair Lady over the other two.
Thanks as always for your input. Looks like I should give Oliver! a chance...
@@kellie-nd1yp You tell him Kellie, one of the best winners is Oliver!
@@oscarman42 At least once . I know it has it's share of critics but I really enjoy it.
@@RobertPagano226 The musical numbers and sets are amazing and the acting too.Ron Moody is underrated here despite the nomination.
@@kellie-nd1yp I loved Oliver.
My beef with "Chicago" is a bit unfair, I do admit, but it remains with me to this day - its main competition for Best Picture was likely "The Pianist", which I feel is a superior movie. It resonated with me more strongly at the time, and still does. So I feel that "Chicago" should not have won.
It was the ballet that clinched the Oscar for An American in Paris.
It's always the most mentioned when the film is broadcast. I guess my problem with the win is that A Place in the Sun and A Streetcar Named Desire were the film's competition.
@@oscarman42 I agree it probably should have been one of them.
When I was 13 I loved oliver for me it's better than funny girl but the lion in winter was the best movie what I will always defend is that ron moody deserve the oscar in front of cliff robertson justice
Oscarman42 I posted something on Saturday, but it didn't posted today.
Did I respond to it? If not, try reposting it if you care to.
It's appalling Hepburn's vocals were dubbed (Woods for WSS even more so) but I wonder had they not been, those films might be found under some dusty VHS of Camelot in a Walmart bargain bin decaying alongside Vanessa Redgrave's dark and dreary Guenevere.
THE BROADWAY MELODY was an innovative marvel in its day and remains one of the best of the early musicals. Plus Bessie Love got an Oscar nomination for best actress and Anita Page is also terrific. The weak link is Charles King.
@user-zt3wf5ye2i It certainly is important from an historical perspective, But I don't think it has aged well.
West Side Story and Chicago are the absolute best 😀🤘
@tammylynnbeatricedoyle4500 Amen!
So agree re 'The Sound of Music'. I love Audrey Hepburn in 'My Fair Lady'. 'Oliver' I dislike but mainly because I think the source material - about child abuse, basically - should never have been turned into a musical. Love WSS, Chicago, Gigi. 'American in Paris' should never have won over 'Streetcar' or 'The African Queen', much as I like Gene Kelly.
Great minds think alike!
THE SOUND OF MUSIC WAS A GREAT MOVIE!! THE END!
I hear that! And thanks for affirming what millions who have enjoyed the film think (me not being one of them, but that's OK).
@oscarman42 Not meaning any offense, but you are one of the only people that I know of who says or believes that 'The Sound of Music" is anything other than a Great, Oscar Winning Movie! But, like you said, we can differ about certain movies and enjoy the idea of a musical!!..ps - wish someone would discuss the reasoning behind Nathan Lane not receiving an Oscar Nomination for "The Birdcage"!
@@nathantaylor1921 No offense taken. Surprisingly, several comments here said even worse things about the film, which confirms I am not alone. But that's what makes films and the Oscars so fun to discuss - and debate!
@@oscarman42 You are telling the truth. I myself have always loved MOVIES! Seemed I could understand them better than any readings. But, I have noticed that REwatching a movie over the years, one can interpret them differently. We'll, that's my feelings anyway. So please continue talking about movies. 👍🙂
@nathantaylor1921 There are many movies.I actually enjoyed better after seeing them a second or even third time. Look forward to your input on future videos!
Thank you for being not too harsh to "Gigi". TH-camrs love to kick that movie into pieces. I like it 1000 times more than that horrible "Sound of Music".
We agree on both! I think Gigi is beautifully filmed and quite charming. The other film looks nice, but...
@@oscarman42 I agree, That Gigi was beautifully filmed (it was my Grandmother's favorite film). The only problem I have with it is the social climbing aspect of the story. Marrying off your 16 year old daughter to a rich person just to get social status, seems a little creepy. I loved the duet between Hermione Gingold and Maurice Chavalier.
@@stuartm6069 Gigi was actually being groomed to be a courtesan, which makes it even worse 😉
@@oscarman42 The center of this, though, is that Gigi doesn't want to be groomed, and explains very well why. Her grandmother, who gave up the rewards of being a courtesan for similar reasons, sides with Gigi in that very important exchange with Aunt Alicia, who indulges in a poetic passage about love and eternal spring. "And when eternal spring is over," Gingold's Grandmamma asks. "What does that matter," Aunt Alicia responds. "It matters a great deal to Gigi, and shall I tell you, I don't disagree," is Grandmamma's answer (I'm paraphrasing, sorry). Gigi agrees, finally, because she truly cares for Gaston, and tells him she'd rather be miserable with him than without him. Even on that first (and really only) night out, she is still Gigi, and it changes the course of Gaston's entire attitude and destiny. The story is far from endorsing the grooming. It does present the advantages to this kind of life for a woman living at this period of history. It's just as honest about its drawbacks, as dependence on the generosity of another is part of the package, just as it is in a marriage at this time.
It's interesting how WestSide Story and The Sound Of Music start the same way. Watch both openings and it's unsettling in their similarity.
I never thought about that....then again, both were directed by Robert Wise, so perhaps...
@@oscarman42 it's almost as if Westside Story was a rehearsal for what was to come with Sound Of Music. The slow pan of the city echoes the slow pan of the mountains. The music trickles in almost on the breeze in both cases and then the environment makes itself known as the music builds. In one we have the guys trying to contain their need to dance and constantly indulging in sudden moves or we have Maria as we rush to her she gleefully spins embracing us. They're both very different but the same and both are exciting
Robert Wise admitted that he stole from himself. He wanted to open The Sound of Music differently but couldn’t come up with anything better.
@@quitequiet1 It's the perfect opening bringing us sailing into Julie Andrews on the mountaintop
Ernest Lehmann was big on reveals: not only West Side Story and Sound of Music, but the tease of hiding Elizabeth Taylor in Virginia Woolf under the credits and Streisand's teasing entrance in Hello Dolly.
Robert Wise won Best Director for The Sound of Music over David Lean for DR. Zhivago. And sound of music won best picture. Perhaps the academy didn’t want to reward David Lean 3 times. In 8 years. Bridge onThe River Kwai1957? And Lawrence of Arabia1962.
Love Lion In Winter and Funny Girl but do yourself a favor and watch all of Oliver.
Thank you for the recommendation!
Cathrine Zeta Jones stole the movie from Rene
Completely!
I, too, waited to see 'The Sound of Music' until I was an adult. The anti -TV , 3 to 4 hour epic movies of the mid 1950's to the mid 1960's were just too long for a youngster . I always heard 'has Moses parted the Red Seas, yet' from my father. The Nazi storyline was also a good anti-sugar element to the film. In Austria, the film and the Von Tropps were unknown. The film is dubbed to German and yes with BLASPHEMY, Julie Andrews singing was also dubbed!!!!
My Fair Lady: *take Me to the Church on TIme' was the only part of the film for me that didn't fit in.. it felt like filler .
Oliver! : I was part of a high school production, so I saw the film. Hairstyles were 1960's ( Like so many period pieces of the '60's). Lyrics were basic and the story was sugar coated.
West Side Story: also LONG but it always reminds me of the non- Regents ( non- college) high school students alternative book to Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. ALways had a problem with the casting of Natalie Wood. Her Gypsy Rose Lee was also dubbed and she didn't get along with Marni Nixon. Rita Moreno for me always overacts and is a bit for 'too much.' In interviews she WANTS that spotlight.
Why was their a need for a WSS remake? Especially to the mobile phone generation?
Wonderful list. And I absolutely agree with your top choice West Side Story!.
Perhaps another great video would be Musicals that should've won Best Picture. 🫠
Hmmm...I was just thinking of doing something along those lines. Stay tuned, my friend.
@@oscarman42 😃
West Side Story, YES. A Masterpiece.
I cannot argue with that!
I can't believe you produced this video without watching "Oliver." If you're going to talk about the movies, you should at least watch them. That being said, yes "Oliver" was a better movie than "Funny Girl." Streisand was the star and it was her movie, but beyond that it was pedestrian. "Oliver" was a different type movie than "The Lion in Winter." I thought the acting in Lion was tremendous (especially Peter O'Toole, who should have won that year), but Oliver was a better picture technically, and Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Shani Wallis, and Jack Wild were excellent. The musical sequences (especially "Consider Yourself" and "Who Will Buy") were magnificent. At the time, I thought Lion should have won, but with hindsight I can see how Oliver was voted best picture.
Thanks for watching. Criticism duly noted.
“Oliver” is definitely worth the watch! Another aspect to consider was the orchestration of the original musical score that was done for the movie. The movie score is a masterpiece and added so much more depth and emotion. If you did a side by side of “As Long as He Needs Me” between the musical version and the movie score you’d hear just how much more passion and richness the movie delivers musically as compared with the original musical score.
@@randyglasner4608 Thank you for offering a compelling reason to check the film out!
@@randyglasner4608 Excellent observation. I saw it at the theaters when it came out and enjoyed it. My appreciation has only increased through the years.
@@oscarman42 You're welcome. I think you'll enjoy it.
I watched 5 of these.
West Side Story once was my favorite film as well. My Opinion of the film slowly went down hill over the last three months or so. It's still my favourite of these 10 films, not better than Breakfast at Tiffany's, Judgement at Nuremberg or The Hustler.
I like My Fair Lady but prefer other films from that year, speacily The Nigth of the Iguana. If Hepburn could sing in Funny Face (Witch i prefer over this) than she could sing in this film to. The only song that uses her vocals in MFL is Just you Wait! Not coincidentaly, my favourite from the film.
Chicago is the most original and creative of these and i think An American in Paris is neigther good nor bad.
As for The Sound of Mucus, i mean... Music, I HATE THIS FILM! Not for being bad, but for wining against 4 MASTERPIECES! Dr Djivago, The Ship of Fools, A Thousand Clowns and Darling deserved better! It's my second least favorite best picture winner and alongside Titanic, the only ones i hate!
LOL! You made me literally laugh at TSOM. I thought I would be lynched for not worshipping such a beloved film. Tell me...why has your opinion of WSS changed recently? Did you prefer the remake?
@@oscarman42 actually i hate the WSS remake, even if i saw it first. I still realy like the original version, in fact i think it deserved the best adapted screeplay instead of Judgement at Nuremberg.
West side story still holds a place in my heart, as an amateur screenwriter, i wished to recreate it's style in my way. The musical genre is still my favourite one, but nothing beats Cabaret.
The main things that decreased my liking for WSS are myself growing up, i was 15 when i watched it first; and i do think some of its oscar wins are exaggerated. Best Direction and the 6 Technical wins are ok, but best Picture that year should have been either Breakfast at Tiffany's or The Children's Hour, with WWS or Rob Rossen's "The Hustler" at third. I'd prefer Tamblyn to win Supporting Actor instead of Chakiris (Peter Falk could be Removed) and Moreno is oscar-worthy for both the original and the remake. However, in my opinion, both Monty Clift & Judy Garland should have won these awards for their short but atention stealing perfomances in Judgement at Nuremberg.
In my home country, Brazil, the film was translated as "Love, Sublime Love". I don't know why.
Interesting, I don't think I've seen any of these films through...I love West Side Story and have seen most of it but never from beginning to end...I guess there's a deficit in my love for movies. Or taking the leap to this genre has always had its challenges..."Chicago", for me, seemed flat, visually, almost rushed...Who knows, maybe I'll watch it on a plane ride some day...Seems like that kinda movie...Love all your casting tid bits, thanks for that...I'll stick with "Hair", my favorite musical that received ZERO Oscar noms...HA!
Musicals are definitely not a genre that all moviegoers enjoy. Some friends of mine hate the notion of a performer breaking into song and dance in the middle of speaking. I'm fascinated by dance, hence my love of West Side Story and its choreography. Thanks for sharing your honest views!
@@oscarman42 "even the Osmonds"...oh god help us...
@@p.w.e.2374 I like Donny...
"Lion in Winter" or "Romeo and Juliet" should have won "Best Picture" in 1968. "Oliver" ws good, but not that good. IMHO, of course. I thought "Funny Girl" was excellent, too.
Lots have echoed your sentiments.
OLIVER is "problematic" for sure. You're correct in that Shani Wallis is the reason to watch; there's a twinkle and a charm in her performance along with a great voice. Energetic choreo, atmospheric design, marvelous character actors. Jack Wild's Dodger is just right, and Ron Moody's broad music-hall Fagin levels the dark tone. But everything poor Mark Lester opens his little badly dubbed mouth, I cringe and hit the fast forward button. 15 year old me didn't think it deserved its BP Oscar and neither does 71 year old me. Sorry/not sorry.
@donaldfinch1411 You perfectly encapsulated my concerns about the film. However, you also confirmed how wonderful iShani Wallis is! Thank you!
@@oscarman42 40+ years ago, I got to be her personal shopper for an afternoon in Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills. And I saw her marvelous "Sally" in FOLLIES in Long Beach, so she has a little place in my heart... 😉
@@donaldfinch1411 No doubt! Thanks for sharing that.
Oliver has wonderful performances by all the leads and a not so great performance by Oliver himself...the music is fun and catchy and the dancing is truly inspired...it also has a rather tragic end for one character which is truly disturbing...
The Sound of Music is a vast improvement over the stage show and Andrews should have won the Oscars back to back for both Poppins and Music... Plummer is perfect as the captain and neither he nor Andrews lets the schmaltz become overbearing...
My Fair Lady suffers from a weak performance from Hepburn in the 1st half and the dubbing takes you out of the film as it was done later and doesn't really match well.. Harrison was good as Higgins but seemed a bit too old and a bit too angry at times...stilted direction where the camera remains stagnant at times didn't help either...if only Minnelli had taken on the assignment...
Musicals are probably the most divisive genre of film especially those adapted from shows because everyone has an opinion about whether the musical show is better than the film. What changes have been made etc.
I think you have presented this very well. However I would raise several points. 1. Should you really have even done this piece if you hadn’t watched all the films? Oliver is an excellent show and an excellent musical and for you not to have watched it makes a bit of this whole post a waste of time.
2. Peggy Wood was dubbed for the sound of music.
3. I accept SOM can appear sugary. Etc. and you are more than entitled to your opinion. However why was that the only film you felt the need to read out critical reviews for? Why not all? My guess is you know it’s a beloved film and your own dislike you knew would not go down well so you needed back up. Just have the balls to have your view. I hate Titanic all the Lord of the Rings films. But I don’t need to find critical reviews to support my dislike. I accept they are beloved just not my cup of tea. If you step back it’s beautifully shot. And the score is luscious. The acting is first rate. Eleanor Parker was not added because she was well known Julie Andrews was signed because she was a film star by then. Parker was signed because unlike the show they decided to make Elsa a villainess and that was mothers milk to Ms Parker.
4. I too feel sorry for Audrey Hepburn. She was a delight. I disagree that they should have left her vocals in because Eliza is such a massive vocally challenging part. It’s a disservice however to the memory of a beautiful gracious kind actress to criticise her performance solely based on who could have been cast.
5. Why on earth cast Richard Beymar. If he’d been a star I get it. But he was totally unknown and yet they cast a man they needed to dub. I think Natalie Wood is a delight and it’s sad that she was dubbed. Her real voice was really sweet.
Thanks for your channel it’s really interesting
Thanks for watching!
I think "Mary Poppins" and "Beauty and the Beast" should've won the Best Picture Oscars for 1964 and 1991, and instead of a "Mary Poppins" sequel, there should've been a remake of 'My Fair Lady" with Emily Blunt as Eliza Doolittle and have that win Best Picture and Best Actress for 2018! I also think either the original or the announced remake of one of my favorite musicals "The King and I" should be a Best Picture Winner!
Blunt would be great as Eliza! Is anything happening with TK&I remake?
@@oscarman42 It looks like it's still been in development stage since it's announcement on February 12, 2021. All that's known is it's going to be released by Paramount, Temple Hill Entertainment producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey and Concord, who own Rodgers and Hammerstein's material. Fingers and toes crossed it will follow through and get made into an amazing Best Picture winning Movie musical masterpiece!
@@oscarman42 My full cast for a "My Fair Lady" remake would be Emily Blunt as Eliza Doolittle, Colin Firth as Professor Henry Higgins, Norbert Leo Butz as Alfred P. Doolittle, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Pearce, David Warner as Colonel Pickering, Ben Whishaw as Freddy Eynsford-Hill and Julie Andrews as Mrs. Higgins! There were actually plans for a remake to be made with Emma Thompson as Screenwriter, Cameron Mackintosh as Producer and John Madden as Director, but sadly it never made it out of development!
@@elephantbluepeter Wow, you really thought this one through. Fascinating! Frankly, as iconic as the original remains, I'm surprised it hasn't been remade (not complaining, though).
@@elephantbluepeter I can't imagine who will be cast in the leads. Thoughts?
Gigi was far and beyond the worst of the films IMHO, although I haven't seen The Broadway Melody. I watched the whole movie, but it was painful.
I have to disagree about Natalie Wood's singing voice. She tended to go flat at the end of her phrases, particularly when reaching for the high notes, and her high notes do very much sound like reaching. Her vocals were definitely not polished enough for a major singing role in a major movie musical.
I always find it jarring when she breaks into a soprano - it just doesn't mesh for me. But, I still love the film!
All but Oliver
@@kevinrichards2230 Are you pro or con about the film?
It’s an ok film but funny girl was better and lion in winter
The Academy snubbed Audrey Hepburn and yet Peggy Wood's singing in "The Sound of Music" was dubbed by Margery MacKay! What hypocrites!
Excellent point! I should have stated that more clearly.
I know I'm going to get blasted for this, but I hate the musical "Oliver". I played Oliver in the Broadway road company in the early 70's. 8 shows a week in different cities really took a toll on me and my family. Our director was cruel to all the kids and the majority of the cast would always play practical jokes on me. I have seen the movie only once and can't watch it to this day, too many bad memories. So, my viewpoint is a skewed by my experiences with the musical.
@stuartm6069 Love your honest response.
You forgot about la la.... oh wait it didn't win
It did...for a minute 😉
Agree with RB, his Tony was so out of place, but I thought NW was out of place as well. Agree WSS one of the best!
I actually thought AAIP was just okay.
TSOM brilliant in so many ways, the first movie I saw in a theater with friends. Thank you for your love of this sweet film. Mia Farrow was also considered for one of the 7 children.
Yes Mike, go see Oliver in its entirety & it was worthy, it was deserving, Andre is going back to see it, WHERE IS (your) LOVE?
Thanks for this upload today.
It's so wonderful when you (and others) evoke memories of your moviegoing experience. These are moments in our lives we always remember fondly - which is why many films (and songs) are part of our emotional landscape.
@@oscarman42 Yes, most definitely they evoke so much and imagination too.
Oliver should never have one Best Picture. You forgot to mention Romeo and Juliet, another one that deserved the Oscar.
My Fair Lady is another one I don't like. I don't like the play either.
Romeo and Juliet wasn't a musical.
I agree with your opinions right across the board. Funny Girl should have received best picture instead of Oliver, and Sound of Music is so sugary it makes my teeth ache. You question who should be in a remake of My Fair Lady. Two actresses popped instantly into my head and started slugging it out; Lady Gaga and Nicole Kidman.
OMG - someone agrees with me about TSOM! We're bonded lol. I could see Kidman as Eliza...Gaga would definitely be worth seeing what she could do with the role.
@@oscarman42 LOL. Twin brothers from different mothers.
@@MichaelRomeoTalksBooks Thanks for the backup. I know the vitriol is coming...but now I know I'm not alone lol.
I never enjoyed “Oliver”…
Julie Andrews got her revenge for them not casting her in My Fair lady and won an Oscar so to hell with overrated Audrey Hepburn!!!!
She certainly gave a pointed and biting acceptance speech at that year's Golden Globe Awards.
I'm with you on The Sound of Music. Diabetes inducing indeed. Got a good chuckle from that. Plummer regularly dismissed it as "the sound of mucus".
Remember Lady Gaga singing "Climb Every Mountain" at the Oscars? She brought the house down! Disagree on An American in Paris and Chicago. Both deserved their Oscar wins. Love "I Remember It Well" from Gigi. Hermione Gingold really knew how to deliver a line, didn't she? And you're right about Rita Moreno. All that talent with looks AND a body of death? The lord made her on a good day. She's not an EGOT winner for nothin'. How come no one found a suitable vehicle for Marni Nixon? That she's primarily known for dubbing vocals is just wrong. As for My Fair Lady, IMO, it's the gold standard for what a musical should be.
Stunning to look at and top notch performances all around. Stanley Holloway, need I say more? And Rex, of course. "But Let a Woman in Your Life" is sublime. He virtually invented talk-singing.
Interesting question as to who would star in a remake. How about Jeremy Irons (maybe a bit long in the tooth, but with the gravitas to fully embody Higgins) and Arianna Dubose? P.S. if you want a good laugh, check out the SCTV sketch where the GREAT Andrea Martin as Pirini Scleroso does "The Rain in Spain" sequence. Joe Flaherty (RIP) is fabbo as Higgins and Dave Thomas does a spot-on Wilfred Hyde-White. It's hilarious. Finally, I think La La Land deserved to win. It single-handedly revived a long lost genre. Watson and Gosling were fantastic. The LA freeway number to open is innovative and I understood the rationale behind every shot. It's a charming movie. No disrespect to Moonlight, but in my book LLL should have won.
Wow, thanks for such a detailed analysis of this subject. I think you may have missed the part where I stated that I loved Chicago - so we actually agree! I'm pretty much healed from the lumps I took for not liking Sound of Music, so your comment is helping in my recovery. And great question about Marni Nixon. Perhaps acting wasn't her forte?
The only two musicals that I would never take the Oscars away from are West Side Story and Oliver!
I suspect the voting in 1961 was not close at all. West Side Story's margin of victory must have been among the largest ever.
I expected The Lion in Winter to beat out Oliver! and I would have been okay with that but I'm glad Oliver! pulled it off.
In any other year, Cabaret would have won Best Picture, and it is heads above most of the other musicals that did win.
My Fair Lady was fine, but it felt like it was just a filmed Broadway play.
The Sound of Music is too sickly sweet for me.
I suspect An American in Paris won because A Streetcar Named Desire and A Place in the Sun cancelled each other out. I would have preferred either one.
Gigi just happened to hit a year when no other obvious Best Picture winner came along. Heck, Auntie Mame was much more enjoyable.
I enjoyed Chicago but I would have voted for any of the other four over it.
I just think that no one likes Rex Harrison period
I'm not sure that nobody likes him or his performance - why do you believe that?
@@oscarman42 He was unbearable especially because he was unfaithful during his relationships. For his acting I think it was fine not sure it was Oscar worthy because really he was just playing himself, a pompous ass.
I have to agree with you Michael! I developed diabetes watching The Sound of Music. When the guests waved back to the children at the end of the So Long Farewell number, I was ready to lean over and vomit.
West Side Story has to be my favorite! Natalie Wood made a respectable Maria but Richard Beymer???? I couldn’t believe Robert Wise chose him.
I saw Oliver in the theater but didn’t really care for it that much. Yes, I liked Shani Wallis too but she gets killed at the end of the movie which makes me dislike this movie more.
I have to say I loved My Fair Lady ever since I first saw it as a kid and have been an Audrey Hepburn fan from that day forward. Audrey sang most of Just You Wait and I felt that she should’ve sang Wouldn’t It Be Loverly also because the key was within her range. She definitely needed to be dubbed for the higher notes/parts of I Could’ve Danced All Night. But that does not take away from her performance in my opinion.
An American In Paris is enjoyable but not Best Picture worthy in my opinion. I prefer Gigi. For Gigi, I think it is sad that people today can’t enjoy a movie in the context of its historical sitting and judge it with the standards of the present day. They’re missing out on something that is delightful and entertaining.
Except for not (yet) seeing Oliver!, your comment reads like you and I sat down and discussed these films together! Surprisingly (at least for me), you and I are not alone in our dislike of TSOM...several others here have agreed with us - but were brutal lol! Thank you for sharing your thoughts - look forward to more of your input on future videos.
You are not alone about the Sound of Music, I agree with you and was force to watch it because I lost a bet. There are moments where it is just unbearable like the puppet show, the so long farewell number, the hooky music playing while they are escaping from the NAZI, and could go on more but don't want to bore the comments section. However there are a few scenes that are excellent such as the "Climb Every Mountain", the dance scene between Andrews and Plummer, the Gazebo dance (not the song) and "Edelweiss".
LOL!!! Sorry you lost the bet! I was trying to be nice...but I love your honest commentary better. Why does this film remain so popular? Is it a fantasy so many enjoy?
Those moments which were unbearable for you are actually endearing to many audiences who still love this movie… Also, I find it prejudiced to include only the negative reviews of this movie and not the positive ones… Every other musical on this list has negative reviews, but to highlight the ones for SOM is quite biased…
@@oscarman42 For some it is probably brings back fond memories of them watching it as child. The power of film to cause personal memories rather than the quality of the movie.
@@tjh12473 I completely agree.
@@gauravw6947 Firstly, most of the major reviews were negative - I found that in my research. Second, I think you forgot that I also mentioned that the film was a colossal box office success, which relegates any criticism to lesser importance, doesn't it? And third, aren't opinions biased to a degree, including yours?
I love "West Side Story" and Renee Zellweger in "Chicago." I have no interest in "The Sound of Music" and liked "Oliver," which, to me, is much better than "Funny Girl." I like the parts of "My Fair Lady" better than the whole. All the elements are right, so maybe I've just watched it too often.
There are definitely films I've liked parts of better than its entirety. Sometimes it's the length (hard to maintain the same level the longer a film is), and other times, especially with musicals, it's particular numbers which stand out more.
I couldn’t agree more about the icky, sickening sweet The Sound of Music. I have never understood its appeal. In my house we call it The sound of Mucus. I loved My Fair Lady and I thought Audrey Hepburn was completely believable as Eliza. It never bothered me that her singing voice was dubbed. She is a much better actor than Julie Andrews and the film needed a recognizable star. Rex Harrison is superb and this film should NEVER be remade. And I LOVE Gigi! I watch it often. If anyone today is repelled by the subject, they should remember it takes place in 1900, not in today’s world. Get over it! Oliver is just okay. I love Natalie Wood, but she was miscast in West Side Story and i will never figure out the brains behind the decision to cast Richard Beymer who brought nothing to the role. Rita Moreno was the whole movie. I like Chicago a lot, and even though I dislike all three lead actors, they did a good job in this one. I did see it on Broadway with Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, so my kudos to the three actors is praise indeed. I did think the casting of John C. Reilly was perfect. I dislike intensely An American in Paris. It bored me to death and I was never a fan of Gene Kelly, who by all accounts was a horrible human being. Leslie Caron is adorable, though. I loved her Gigi. Sorry I’m long-winded, but that’s my take.
@kathyt8374 How did the stage version of Chicago compare to the film? Thanks for welcoming me into the Sound of Mucus club LOL. I appreciate the time taken to write such a thoughtful and detailed comment. Look forward to more of your input on future videos!
@@oscarman42 The Chicago film story followed the play almost exactly, which I really appreciated. A few songs were lost, but they didn’t significantly matter, although I really liked two of them. I thought three leads in the movie did a fine job and they pleasantly surprised me. But the play had Verdon and Rivera and Jerry Orbach, so how can you compare anyone to those legends? The choreography in the play was pure Fosse, and even though Rob Marshall channels him, it just wasn’t the same.
If you’re interested in seeing some numbers with the original cast search for Chicago + Verdon, Rivera or Orbach on TH-cam. They performed at the Tonys that year and also on the Mike Douglas show around that time. They are fun to watch.
@@kathyt8374 I've watched both clips and thought they were great!
Couldn't stand The Sound of Music and loved Oliver. I can't believe you did not watch the whole movie - Funny Girl was nowhere as good.
It just didn't strike me as the type of musical I believe I would enjoy, similar to how I felt about TSOM.
Only West Side Story and West Side Story!!!
Enough said!