CARMEN JONES (1954)

Musicals Month (Film 12 of 12)

I really didn’t know what to expect from Carmen Jones. A more modern retelling of Bizet’s Carmen done with an all-black cast? But after viewing, I can see why the movie was included on the 1001 list. It has the music, or at least traces of the original operatic music, integrated nicely into updated songs by Oscar Hammerstein. And the cast is very good, especially Dorothy Dandridge as Carmen. It also made me want to listen to the music of the original Carmen, which I suppose is as good an endorsement as any.

Two things I learned from watching eleven musicals in a row
1. I appreciate them more having watched so many in a row, however…
2. Don’t watch them in a row. You may end up suffering from musicals overload. Spread them out next time.

SONG OF THE SOUTH (1946)

Musicals Month (Film 11 of 12)

I saw this movie in re-relaease at the Fox Theater in Atlanta in the early 70’s. I thought it was wonderful at the time. The main character was this whiny kid, so it was definitely someone I could relate to! The best part of the film is of course, the imaginative stories of Uncle Remus about Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox (whose voice sounds just like Eddie Murphy to me). It was quite a wonder to see the cartoon characters and live action actors interact.

Seeing it today, the story is a bit thin. Eh, so what? The wonder is still there for me, because the Uncle Remus stories are still imaginative and fun. Too bad the film isn’t in wider distribution.

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953)

Musicals Month (Film 9 of 11)

Marilyn Monroe’s other entries on the 1001 list (Her small but memorable role in The Asphalt Jungle and the classic Some Like it Hot) are both films I like more than this one . But Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is probably the film that shows Marilyn (as Lorelei Lee) at her most Monroeviest. I'm talking about the ditz who is a bit of a golddigger, but still comes equipped with a healthy supply of gold already in her heart. And we also get to see her perform “Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend,” probably her most famous screen moment. My favorite line in the movie comes from veteran character actor Charles Coburn, who replies to Lorelei’s line that she was expecting someone older when she meets him with, “Older than what?”

P. S. Jane Russell isn’t exactly chopped liver either, and does a pretty good Marilyn impersonation during the courtroom scene.

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954)

Musicals month (Film 8 of 11)

The best way to find a wife, as we all know, is to throw a sack over their head and abduct them, especially when seven brothers desperately need wives. Well, there is a suspension of disbelief when it comes to musicals that you have to accept, because it is usually more about the songs and how they fit into the plot. Of course, this one may be more memorable for its dance numbers. And it also takes an even greater suspension of disbelief to accept these rustic mountain folk dancing so gracefully and so damn well. I do think the dance numbers are the highlight of the picture. My favorite is the number where the brothers are chopping wood, dancing, twirling with axes and pining about how they’d rather be sleeping with women than with sheep.

Wunderkind: Stanley Donen directed (or co-directed) three entries on the 1001 list: On the Town, Singin’ in the Rain and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, all well before his thirtieth birthday!

The seven brothers include future Jet from West Side Story, Russ Tamblyn.

The seven brides include: Future Catwoman Julie Newmar (Newmeyer) and future dice roller from the 70’s Alex Trebek game show High Rollers, Ms. Ruta Lee.