Musicals & Music Films > 1954 Musicals & Music Films

Will they get those 'Sobbin Women'

Advantages: A good easy going family musical
Disadvantages: non that I can see

~~ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers ~~ This has to be one of my favourite musicals and is most definitely one of the classics of the 1950's. I love the Baritone voice of Howard Keel and the innocent charm of Jane Powell who also happens to have a wonderful voice. The film was based on a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet called 'The Sobbin' Women' and was adapted by the husband and wife team Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich alongside Dorothy ...
...the title A Bride for Seven Brothers was put forward, it was felt that this title was a little bit suggestive and so they came up with the title Seven Brides for Seven Brothers were chosen. The producer Jack Cummings got Stanley Donan to direct the movie, Stanley previous hits with Singin' in the Rain and On The Town both successful movies. Cummings really wanted to do the movie completely on location, but MGM had other ideas, they only thought of ...

arnoldhenryrufus 03.09.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (DVD)

Into Marilyn, Merman or Musicals?

Advantages: Good family entertainment, great musical numbers, impressive cast
Disadvantages: Slightly long, poor plot

...of these I have is There's No Business Like Show Business, but I hadn't seen this film for a long time, so I decided to sit down and watch it again. The film was made in 1954 and stars an impressive list of big Hollywood names. Besides Marilyn Monroe, the cast includes Donald O'Connor, Dan Dailey, Mitzi Gaynor, Johnnie Ray and the larger than life Ethel Merman. The film begins in 1919, where Molly and Terence Donahue (played by Merman and Dailey) ...
...plot. But you don't watch There's No Business Like Show Business for the plot! You watch it for the cast and the amazing Irving Berlin musical numbers. The tone is set immediately with an opening number set on stage. The bright colours, elaborate costumes and vibrant sets are visually stunning and these continue to appear regularly throughout the movie. There is a big cast with lots of extras in the musical numbers. This adds to the glamorous feel ...

KarenUK 27.09.2006 · Read full review
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Review of There's No Business Like Show Business (DVD)

Here Comes the Brides!!

Advantages: good story and acting, some good songs
Disadvantages: very bad backdrops!

...Scene Access Trailer Making of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers I have not had the need for the scene access and have no interest in watching the making of the film. The running time of this film is 98 minutes which was a suitable length and the certificate is a Universal which means that it is suitable for all ages. I do agree with this rating. This DVD is available widely for under £5 which I think is a good buy. I am going to recommend this ...

sewbizzie 08.05.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (DVD)

timless magic,song and dance

Advantages: good old fashion musical
Disadvantages: kids hate it

Two New York Business men are on a relaxing holiday in the Glens of Scotland, Played by Gene Kelly and Van Johnson. While out for a spot of shooting, they become lost, tired and hungry. In an opening in the trees they see, a small village in the mist, thinking they may get directions and something to eat, they cross a small river bridge, to reach the town, with out knowing, they've crossed into a time lapse over the Bridge of the river Doon (Brigadoon). ...
...night they sleep, the following day will be a hundred years later, and if any of its original inhabitants leave the town, they will sleep that night and never wake again. The two Americans of course know nothing of the curse or the village's history, which is a closely guarded secret by the villagers. Gene Kelly however after meeting the towns folk, is soon taken in by the magic of the place and falls for a local lass, played by the beautiful Cyd ...

dreamscancometrue 31.12.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Brigadoon (DVD)

Trouble's coming your way

Advantages: brilliant cast, great songs
Disadvantages: no decent extras on the DVD

...of Georges Bizet's famous opera, Carmen Jones was originally a play on Broadway which ran throughout the late '40s and early '50s. The film director, Otto Preminger loved its so much that he decided it should be made available to a wider audience. He had his wish. Carmen Jones was released at the cinema in 1954. THE ORIGINAL STORY For those that are not familiar with the original Carmen, I'll run through the story briefly. Based in Seville, Carmen ...
...from his sweet fiancée, Micaëla, Carmen thinks she's in love. However, she meets her match in the egotistical matador, Escamillo and abandons Don Jose for a more fiery romance. Still obsessed with Carmen, Don Jose becomes hell bent on revenge with tragic consequences. UPDATE PLOT Carmen Jones is set in America's Deep South during World War Two. Carmen works in a parachute factory. Her Don Jose is Joe, a soldier waiting to enter flying school, and ...

kollarosie 10.09.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Carmen Jones (DVD)