Oscar Musicals from the 1960s
The Decade Set a Record for Most Musicals Chosen Best Picture
In a time of social and political unrest, musicals drew millions to the movies. This popularity was reflected in a record setting four Oscar musical winners.
In the early Hollywood musicals of the 1930s and 1940s, singing and dancing were usually not an integral part of the storyline. By the 1960s, however, this had changed with the music becoming intertwined with the plot. Nowhere was this more evident than in these four films, all originally Broadway or London productions, which won Oscars for best picture.
West Side Story (1961)
This story of two feuding gangs - one white, the other Puerto Rican – and the two lovers caught between them is one of the most honored films of all times, winning a total of ten Oscars. Based upon Romeo and Juliet, it is essentially a plea for racial harmony and understanding.
There are a few things that one could nit-pick about the film. The two lovers might have been better cast. Natalie Wood, as Maria, is not always convincing as a Puerto Rican and Richard Beymer, as Tony, does not look or act like an ex-gang leader. Several of the cast look too old to be teenagers. Much of the singing is dubbed and it occasionally shows. These are minor quibbles. The movie is still worth viewing, not only for its message, but, also, for its songs and intricate choreography.
My Fair Lady (1964)
Based upon George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, this story of a cockney flower girl who becomes a part of upper-crust British society originally opened on the stage in 1956. It stars Rex Harrison, who reprises his Broadway role as the pompous Henry Higgins, and Audrey Hepburn as Liza Doolittle. At the time, there was much criticism over the selection of Hepburn for the part rather than Julie Andrews who had created the role on stage. Although perhaps a legitimate complaint, Ms Hepburn was more than adequate for the role and was never more beautiful and charming.
There is little to dislike about this film. The songs are memorable, the color photography beautiful, and the acting is top notch. The supporting cast includes: Stanley Holloway, superb as Liza’s father; Wilfred Hyde-White; Gladys Cooper; and, Jeremy Brett. The movie won a total of eight Oscars.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Yes, this is a syrupy movie that plays fast and loose with the facts regarding the famous Von Trapp family singers, but who cares. This Rodgers and Hammerstein musical set box office records and is still an annual favorite on television. It deserves every bit of recognition that it has gotten.
Julie Andrews, reprising her Broadway role as Maria, followed up her Oscar winning role in Mary Poppins with another fine performance. The other actors, particularly the children and Peggy Wood, are very good although Christopher Plummer (Captain Von Trapp) is sometimes wooden.
Besides its many memorable songs, the film is also noted for its beautiful photography of the Austrian countryside. The opening scene when the camera circles in on Andrews may be the most well known introduction in film history.
The movie received four other Oscars, including ones for Wood and director Robert Wise who had also won for directing West Side Story.
Oliver! (1968)
Carol Reed, best known today for directing the film noir The Third Man, turned to a different genre in this adaptation of Oliver Twist. The result was a lively song and dance fest that is probably not as well known today as the first three musicals, but is still shown occasionally on TCM.
Among the many fine performances in the movie, those that stand out the most are Ron Moody as the kindly Fagin and Oliver Reed (nephew of Carol Reed) as the paranoid Bill Sikes. Ten year-old Mark Lester, who made only a few movies, is also more than adequate as Oliver. Although the songs in it do not spring instantly to mind, they are quite good, particularly “Food, Glorious Food” and “Consider Yourself.”
This British production would be the last musical to win as best picture until Chicago in 2002. It is also the last G-Rated film to win best picture.
The 1960s were indeed the Glory Years for Hollywood Musicals.
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