My Top 5 Musicals

You know, show tunes always seem to get a bad rap, but the fact of the matter is that musicals really do make the best movies. Let's just admit it, okay? Like a lot of people, I didn't always appreciate musicals. We all have those moments when watching them where we think things are getting a little ridiculous and over the top. I mean, who spontaneously breaks out into song right when they have something really important to say? Well, okay, who besides Ellen Foley? Not many of us. But now I can say I love a good musical. And these five aren't just good, they're golden.

5. Barbie as Princess and the Pauper. Did that surprise you? We own all the Barbie movies in this house. ALL OF THEM. And most of them are pretty silly and take the mind of child to appreciate. But this Barbie movie is actually a very well done musical. After seeing it through the first time, I thought, Wow, that actually wasn't terrible! In fact, it was cute and catchy! Martin Short provides the voice of the villain in the movie and the songs have great lyrics and harmonies that are fun to sing. Best Part of this movie: "I am a Girl Like You" duet with Erica and Annalise. One day Cindy and I will sing this for a ward talent show. "One day" is not to be confused with "this year", FYI.

4. Mary Poppins. Julie Andrews is just flat-out amazingly talented. She can sing, she can act, she can do magic, she tames birds, she can make play clothes out of drapes- wow, I love her. We finally bought this movie on DVD a few months ago and the kids are glued to it when it goes in. And if you also don't like Dick Van Dyke, well, I don't think we can be friends anymore. He is an American treasure. Best Part of this movie: I would have to say Uncle Albert's Tea Party on the Ceiling or Dick Van Dyke dancing with the penguins.






3. The Wizard of Oz- I think it would be a new Guinness World Record if there was a person alive that could watch this movie and not find themselves singing at least some part of the songs. With songs like If I Only Had a Brain, Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, We're Off to See the Wizard, I am convinced it is physically impossible. And who at one point or another has not wanted to dress up like Dorothy for Halloween, huh? Okay, Dad, maybe not you, but Brian was all over it. Best part of this movie: When the Cowardly Lion sings, "What makes a muskrat guard his musk?" COURAGE!





2. Sound of Music- I actually used to HATE this movie when I was younger. It always came on TV on a certain Sunday and took like 9 hours to watch. I didn't understand anything about Nazis or Germany either, so the whole movie was really confusing. But as I grew older I realized how truly good this movie is. Having said that, we still need to go back in time and eliminate the scene where the old nun sings "Climb Every Mountain." It kills me. Best part of this movie: Tie between when "Climb Every Mountain" is over and the part when the crowd waves and sings "Goodbye" back to the children at the end of "So Long, Farewell"- I chuckle at that every time.



1. Singin' in the Rain. There is just no possible way on planet earth that anyone can not like this movie. Not only does it have singing, it has tap dancing (by Gene Kelly, no less) AND genuine wit and humor. I really think it could possibly be the most perfect movie Hollywood has ever made. Best part of this movie: Well, it's a toss-up, but this scene wins out for me just because of the tap dancing. But "Make 'em Laugh" is a reeeeally close second :) (I tried to get the video right on here from YouTube, but dang those copyright laws!)


Honorable Mentions: Thoroughly Modern Millie, High School Musical, Annie, & Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory


So what do you like? Some of you may be offended at the omission of Wicked or Les Mis or Phantom of the Opera and the like, however, I can't like what I have never seen. Yes, you read that correctly :)