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January is such a dark, drab and depressing month. Money is often in short supply after the excess of Christmas, days are short, nights are dark, and sometimes, going out in the evening is something best avoided. In short, January is the perfect time to discover some classic films, and movie musicals offer the perfect ‘pick me up’ way to avoid those Winter Blues.
I love a good movie musical, the sort of film that always has a happy ending, is full of singalong moments, and has characters that you are willing to succeed and find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I have so many musical favourites, but I am going to share a few of them with you, along with one that I haven’t seen yet, but have added to my watch list for 2017.
Rock of Ages
This is one of those occasions where the movie is better than the stage musical version. With a score of unforgettable 80s rock classics and Julianne Hough as a likeable leading lady, and Catherine Zeta Jones in a totally unexpected role, Rock of Ages is fabulous, spandex rocking, fright wig wearing, bad taste fun. I love it!
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Exactly what it says on the packet, and best avoided if you are looking for a feminist movie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a 1950s treat. Seven Brothers, led by Howard Keel, decide the time has come to take a wife, and so kidnap seven brides, including Jane Powell. This is the most exuberant of all musicals, with incredible dance sequences that still take the breathe away. A classic.
High Society
Another in my list of all time favourite musicals, High Society is the musical version of The Philedelphia Story, starring an exquisitely beautiful Grace Kelly as spoilt heiress Tracy Lord, engaged to be married to a new beau, but possibly still carrying a torch for her ex husband Bing Crosby. The songs in this one, including the dreamy ‘True Love’ and the sparkling Cole Porter number ‘Well, did you Evah’ are sublime, and the whole spectacle is just beautiful.
Singin’ in the Rain
Probably the best musical of all time, and ranking highly in lists of the greatest films of all time too, Singin’ in the Rain is a bonafide masterpiece. Telling the story of the start of the talkie movies, it has it all, from a formidable leading man in Gene Kelly, the brilliant Debby Reynolds as the sparky ingenue destined to be a star, and hilariously funny support from Jean Hagan and Donald O Connor (try keeping your face straight during ‘Make Em Laugh’). Singin’ in the Rain is the musical by which all others must be judged. If you haven’t seen it, why not?
And one I’ve yet to see…
Jersey Boys
The stage version of Jersey Boys is one of my favourites, and as the film version is directed by Clint Eastwood, I really want to see this. Jersey Boys is the story of The Four Seasons, led by Frankie Valli, and their rise to fame in the early 1960s. The memorable songs like Sherry, Walk like a Man and Big Girls Don’t Cry make this a cinematic treat to savour.
If you like the sound of any of these musicals, you can find more information here.
For a chance to win all five of my chosen films, you can enter using the entry form below.
5 Classic Films DVD Competition
Fantastic beasts
im looking forward to the remake of stephen kings it
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Lego batman, I know it’s a kids film but it looks hilarious and luckily my son is just as excited x
Great prize. Please allow competition entry via e-mail, blog comment etc.
STAR WARS
Alien: Covenant
I,Daniel Blake
Great picks here – I do love a musical but like you not had a chance to see Jersey Boys yet x
Singing in the rain is a classic! I do have a penchant for all things musical related!
I like your picks here, though I have not seen all of them. I really do like a good musical, it’s always a good pick-me-up.
Some really good sing-a-long movies here, I loved Jersey boys x
Oh thanks for this, i always get stuck in a rut film wise and love reading other peoples opinions on them before watching, this should do me the rest of the month 🙂 x
50 Shades Darker!
I haven’t seen any of these movies, i will have to watch them sometime x
I always love a classic! Seven brides for seven brothers is on my list of films to watch. I’ve not seen singing in the rain since i was a kid! x
i’m looking forward to logan
Singing in the rain is so good.
i love musicals and especially Rock of Ages – Tom Cruise was something else in that and i actually liked him for a change lol
I love a good musical. I haven’t seen rock of ages or jersey boys but I love the others. I went to see Lala Land yesterday and loved it so my love of musicals is strong
Definitely the new Aliens film!
Some great titles. We love watching family movies, saw Paddington a couple of days ago.
I’ve actually not seen any of these films, I don’t really watch a lot of musicals but I should make more of an effort to!
A great giveaway! I love the old classics.
I absolutely love Jersey Boys and school of rock is a great one too. I’ve actually never seen the other few x
I haven’t seen any of these Rock of Ages and Jersey boys sounds really good though. I haven’t seen what films are coming out this year but any horror films I’m always eager to see x
The new Star wars movie
The new Guardians of the Galaxy is definitely my must-see of the year so far – super excited for it!
What a great giveaway – I love Classics, especially during weekends and holidays 🙂
I have a confession… I haven’t seen ANY of these movies!!
I really want to watch jersey boys. I might actually watch it this weekend.
I too love a good musical and usually its sound of music but I do love singing in the rain too.
Some great films here, I’ve seen most of them but there are a couple on my viewing list. I do love a good musical.
I’m not really a movie person, I’m not looking forward to any! xo
Some of my most favourite films right here! In fact I watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers about 3 weeks ago. I just love it! x
There are so many classics that I know I need to or shoukd have already watched but haven’t!!!
I think out of all of these I’d probably want to see Rock of Ages I bet that is great to sing along to.
Rock of ages was a brilliant film! I remember my mummy being hoodwinked thinking it was a normal film and not a musical.
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Amazing classics here. Would love to watch them all.
I have to admit that I have not watched any of these but agree singing is a great way to lift your mood
I’m looking forward to Beauty & the Beast in 2017 x
I got sent a whole box of classic films for Christmas so I’d be interested in watching some more! Never heard of High Society before, didn’t know it was a musical!
I love Singing in the Rain!
Definitely want to see Rock of Ages 🙂
Dani x
stephen kings IT
I love classic films! I haven’t watched Jersey Boys yet but i’d like to. I want to see the stage version too!
I want to go to a Sound of Music sing-along – my son has been and said it was amazingly good fun.
IT
La La Land 🙂
there are so many amazing movies released this year, but I think the one I’m most looking forward to is Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Captain Jack is fabulous
Trainspotting 2
Trainspotting 2
Thor Ragnorok and Beauty & The Beast
The revenant
Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast