A History of the Movie Musical

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As soon as movies learned to talk, they also learned to sing and dance-and the movie musical quickly became one of America's most popular and beloved film genres. Over the next 90-plus years, musicals embraced an extraordinary range of styles and sounds, from operetta to rock and from tap and ballroom to ballet. Drawing on Broadway hits and original screen creations by legendary composers such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin, the genre continually reinvented itself while entertaining generations of audiences. Media historian Brian Rose guides you through the rich history of the movie musical, illustrated with extended clips from dozens of classic films. From 42nd Street and Swing Time to Meet Me in St. Louis, Oklahoma!, West Side Story, Cabaret, and Chicago, the four-part series celebrates the songs, stars, and stories that made movie musicals an enduring part of American culture. Session Information The Blockbuster Era (1955-1970) From the mid-1950s through the end of the 1960s, Hollywood produced many of its most enduring movie musicals. Rose examines the rise of the wide-screen blockbuster, from West Side Story and My Fair Lady to Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. He shows the growing influence of pop and rock music from Elvis Presley and the Beatles to European innovations such as The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The lecture highlights how the movie musical expanded in style, scale, and ambition. Additional Sessions of A History of the Movie Musical Series October 29: The Birth of the Movie Musical (1927-1945) November 5: The Golden Age (1945-1955) November 19: The Modern Era (1970-today) General Information View Common FAQs and Policies about our Onli