Let’s Sing…Let’s Dance
 

By Jeff Little

Moulin Rouge proved to be a box office hit in 2001. Then, later, in 2002 the film adaptation of Bob Fosse’s Chicago not only proved profitable but also Oscar-worthy with its purveyance of the song and dance mode as a successful film genre. And now (at least where younger audiences are concerned) the series of High School Musical films has proven to be unbelievably strong from a commercial standpoint. 

So what happened in the 1950’s? What happened that caused the Hollywood Musical to (at least temporarily) cease to exist? Most would argue that the decades-long moratorium on the production of musicals was due to the advent of television, in that the tube in everyone’s living room allowed them the daily opportunity to watch Mitzi Gaynor dance, John Raitt sing and Doris Day do both. 

But the truth of the matter is that the 1950’s signaled the end of a Hollywood Studio system that had previously focused on the development of talent that made sure that all their film personalities were schooled in not only acting, but also in the art of song and dance. And this also caused the end of being able to easily produce films with talented performers that could “do it all”.

Currently the advent of electronics available to filmmakers (which allow nearly seamless voice-syncing, stunt dancer expertise, etc.) allows the production of musicals to be commercially viable. 

But audiences have proven to not fully “believe” what they see and hear (as in 1983’s Eddie and the Cruisers, 1983’s Flashdance, 1984’s Footloose, etc.). And because of the viewing public’s intellect, such commercial slight-of-hand has proven ineffective in consistently keeping the Hollywood Musical alive. 

But there is hope for those who enjoy musicals as a cinematic art form. And this comes from current performers who insist on integrity in their acting within this genre; actors such as Jamie Foxx, who played Ray Charles brilliantly by doing a large portion of the playing and singing in his turn within Ray (2004). 

And then of course there’s the brilliant Amy Adams, who did all of her own singing, dancing and acting in Disney Studios’ 2007 Enchanted.  

Granted, few of the current performers have the abilities embodied by the likes of performers such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly or Judy Garland…but they do have talents that should most certainly be recognized. And hopefully these young artists will allow the truly American form of Musical Cinema to survive. 

More specifically, we should consider the words of Hugh Jackman (a singing, dancing, actor hosting the 2009 Academy Awards Ceremony), who said, “The musical is back!” Such a statement may not be true…but it’s worth considering, in that a form as entertaining as Cinematic Musicals should by no means be left for dead. After all, it was said by some that Rock ‘n’ Roll was deceased in the 1970’s. But Rock still rolls, and musicals are still a lot of fun.