Knight at HOME at the Movies
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All Kinds of Musicals
A batch of movie musicals to please every palate -- and some bonus suggestions to boot. Start humming!
A batch of movie musicals to please every palate -- and some bonus suggestions to boot. Start humming!
Okay, all you show tune and karaoke queens, here comes Dreamgirls, the big screen
version of the hit Broadway musical detailing the rise of a Supremes like trio. It’s now
available from Paramount Home Video in single or double disc versions. The former has
a few extras while the latter is packed with enough goodies to make your heart sing. Both
offer the opportunity to again relive Jennifer Hudson’s Oscar winning performance. The 2-
disc version has a feature length behind the scenes making of documentary that’s
entertaining and illuminating – beginning with a nice segment on the original Broadway
edition – and traversing up to the opening night of the film almost 25 years later in
Manhattan’s theatre district near where the show began. I loved seeing Beyonce’s
elaborate screen tests, the extended scenes and of course, the exclusive DVD
performance by Hudson not included in the movie. The featurette with the movie’s
costume designer is also a lot of fun. All the behind the scenes footage and interviews
also remind that not unlike a lot of other great musicals, the creative work of a lot of gay
men are a big reason for Dreamgirls' phenomenal success. This is a no-brainer purchase
for lovers of musicals of every stripe.
In the wake of Motown, the inspiration for Dreamgirls, and their rock-n-roll successful
counterparts, the Beatles, the 60s were infamous for turning out dozens of one hit
musical groups. Since the inception of rock-n-roll, this has actually been the case with
popular music both past and present. But something about the brash enthusiasm for
catchy 60s ear candy, matched by the cartoonish mod fashions and décor, really set that
decade apart. I thought that Tom Hanks’ 1996 debut directorial effort (he also wrote the
script), That Thing You Do! perfectly realized the meteoric rise and fall of one such
group, The Wonders. The movie wasn’t a big box office hit but has developed a devoted
following nonetheless and it’s peppy enthusiasm and spot on recreation of the period’s
music and look, not to mention its cutie pie cast, have made it a favorite of mine. Now,
to my utter delight, 20th Century Fox has released a director’s cut that incorporates 30
minutes of extra footage that adds plenty of depth and fizz to this already terrific little
movie.
Aside from the director’s cut, the 2-disc set has a batch of winning extras – including a
reunion of the actors who played the group – enough to keep you fruggin’ and groovin’ for
hours. The movie’s not technically a musical but its energetic soundtrack features a slew
of catchy musical numbers that sharply parody the 60s pop songs perfectly. But it’s not
just the hook laden hit song of the title, the Wonder’s sole Number One and the other
pop hits that are well done but the mellow, harmonic, Muzak like song preferred by the
parents (another of the four songs co-written by Hanks) and the jazz instrumental that
inspires the drummer in the band. I heartily recommend the soundtrack along with this
snappy little 2-disc release.
A “Music Edition” (complete with karaoke tracks and other featurettes focusing on the
musical numbers) of Bob Fosse’s autobiographical All That Jazz from 1979 is another
great musical themed film to add to your DVD collection. This new version, also from 20th
Century Fox, has a set of new featurettes that focus on the sensational musical numbers
Fosse created for the film. Fosse favorite Liza Minnelli and the star of the film’s “Air-
otica” number, Sandahl Bergman, are among those interviewed. In one of the
featurettes, George Benson, the singer-jazz guitarist recalls the circumstances surrounding
his recording of “On Broadway” that Fosse used in the film’s memorable opening number,
a literal cattle call audition. This number is also discussed by the movie’s editor (and we
see a brief glimpse of Fosse directing it) and several director-choreographer’s (including
Rob Marshall) who were influenced by this and the film’s other musical moments in their
subsequent work. But Roy Scheider, Ben Vereen, Ann Reinking and Leland Palmer aren’t
among the interviewees for some reason (nor are other cast members) which is a sad
omission. Stranger than that, however, is the fact that each time a clip from one of the
dance numbers is shown new music has replaced the old. Obviously, this was a music
clearance issue that was either too expensive or too complicated to resolve. But it’s a tad
strange, to say the least! Still, this is the first version that includes any behind the scenes
material so go get it and wait for the ultimate edition to arrive at a future date.
version of the hit Broadway musical detailing the rise of a Supremes like trio. It’s now
available from Paramount Home Video in single or double disc versions. The former has
a few extras while the latter is packed with enough goodies to make your heart sing. Both
offer the opportunity to again relive Jennifer Hudson’s Oscar winning performance. The 2-
disc version has a feature length behind the scenes making of documentary that’s
entertaining and illuminating – beginning with a nice segment on the original Broadway
edition – and traversing up to the opening night of the film almost 25 years later in
Manhattan’s theatre district near where the show began. I loved seeing Beyonce’s
elaborate screen tests, the extended scenes and of course, the exclusive DVD
performance by Hudson not included in the movie. The featurette with the movie’s
costume designer is also a lot of fun. All the behind the scenes footage and interviews
also remind that not unlike a lot of other great musicals, the creative work of a lot of gay
men are a big reason for Dreamgirls' phenomenal success. This is a no-brainer purchase
for lovers of musicals of every stripe.
In the wake of Motown, the inspiration for Dreamgirls, and their rock-n-roll successful
counterparts, the Beatles, the 60s were infamous for turning out dozens of one hit
musical groups. Since the inception of rock-n-roll, this has actually been the case with
popular music both past and present. But something about the brash enthusiasm for
catchy 60s ear candy, matched by the cartoonish mod fashions and décor, really set that
decade apart. I thought that Tom Hanks’ 1996 debut directorial effort (he also wrote the
script), That Thing You Do! perfectly realized the meteoric rise and fall of one such
group, The Wonders. The movie wasn’t a big box office hit but has developed a devoted
following nonetheless and it’s peppy enthusiasm and spot on recreation of the period’s
music and look, not to mention its cutie pie cast, have made it a favorite of mine. Now,
to my utter delight, 20th Century Fox has released a director’s cut that incorporates 30
minutes of extra footage that adds plenty of depth and fizz to this already terrific little
movie.
Aside from the director’s cut, the 2-disc set has a batch of winning extras – including a
reunion of the actors who played the group – enough to keep you fruggin’ and groovin’ for
hours. The movie’s not technically a musical but its energetic soundtrack features a slew
of catchy musical numbers that sharply parody the 60s pop songs perfectly. But it’s not
just the hook laden hit song of the title, the Wonder’s sole Number One and the other
pop hits that are well done but the mellow, harmonic, Muzak like song preferred by the
parents (another of the four songs co-written by Hanks) and the jazz instrumental that
inspires the drummer in the band. I heartily recommend the soundtrack along with this
snappy little 2-disc release.
A “Music Edition” (complete with karaoke tracks and other featurettes focusing on the
musical numbers) of Bob Fosse’s autobiographical All That Jazz from 1979 is another
great musical themed film to add to your DVD collection. This new version, also from 20th
Century Fox, has a set of new featurettes that focus on the sensational musical numbers
Fosse created for the film. Fosse favorite Liza Minnelli and the star of the film’s “Air-
otica” number, Sandahl Bergman, are among those interviewed. In one of the
featurettes, George Benson, the singer-jazz guitarist recalls the circumstances surrounding
his recording of “On Broadway” that Fosse used in the film’s memorable opening number,
a literal cattle call audition. This number is also discussed by the movie’s editor (and we
see a brief glimpse of Fosse directing it) and several director-choreographer’s (including
Rob Marshall) who were influenced by this and the film’s other musical moments in their
subsequent work. But Roy Scheider, Ben Vereen, Ann Reinking and Leland Palmer aren’t
among the interviewees for some reason (nor are other cast members) which is a sad
omission. Stranger than that, however, is the fact that each time a clip from one of the
dance numbers is shown new music has replaced the old. Obviously, this was a music
clearance issue that was either too expensive or too complicated to resolve. But it’s a tad
strange, to say the least! Still, this is the first version that includes any behind the scenes
material so go get it and wait for the ultimate edition to arrive at a future date.
Finally, Warner Home Video has a new Essential Classics Series that repackages in bargain priced editions 12 must have movies
from their classics catalogue. These attractively packaged collections (there are four in all), with three movies apiece, include
two sets that focus on musicals. The first of these features American musicals and includes Meet Me in St. Louis-The Music
Man-Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, while the second Musical set contains My Fair Lady-Singin’ in the Rain-Gigi. There’s also a
Romance collection that has Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, and Dr. Zhivago and a Drama set with The Maltese Falcon, Citizen
Kane, and Ben-Hur. All have commentary tracks and a few of the bonus features found in the deluxe editions and are the
meticulous re-mastered versions. This is a great, economical way to add classic titles to your home library at a bargain price.
from their classics catalogue. These attractively packaged collections (there are four in all), with three movies apiece, include
two sets that focus on musicals. The first of these features American musicals and includes Meet Me in St. Louis-The Music
Man-Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, while the second Musical set contains My Fair Lady-Singin’ in the Rain-Gigi. There’s also a
Romance collection that has Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, and Dr. Zhivago and a Drama set with The Maltese Falcon, Citizen
Kane, and Ben-Hur. All have commentary tracks and a few of the bonus features found in the deluxe editions and are the
meticulous re-mastered versions. This is a great, economical way to add classic titles to your home library at a bargain price.