Musical Film (Genre)

Musicals in film have evolved throughout time and continue to be a large part of today’s film industry. A Musical is a type of film that incorporates songs performed by the characters in order to justify the narrative of the story, and to move the story along as well. Although we see many musicals in American culture, this genre has touched many other cultures and their film industry as well.
There are many aspects that contribute to the production of a Musical. Overtime, films have had a variety of soundtracks, varying from original compositions to recreations of popularly known artists. Originally, musical films came from stage plays, and eventually evolved into full-length feature films. Another huge part of Musicals are their grand dance numbers which essentially physically demonstrate the purpose of the song, or add more “pizzaz” to the production.
Some of the very first musicals originated from “Europe, which dates back to the theatre of the ancient Greeks, who included music and dance in their stage comedies and tragedies in the 5th century BCE.[10] The dramatists composed their own music to accompany their plays and choreographed the dances of the chorus. The 3rd-century BCE Roman comedies of Plautus included song and dance routines performed with orchestrations.” This trend in theatre turned to the Italians where “aucous clowns improvised their way through familiar stories, and from there, comedic operas ‘opera buffa’.” Then, eventually, musical stage performances grew to be very popular, and in 1927, the first musical film came about. “The Jazz Singer” was released by the Warner Brothers and opened up the door to many more musicals to come. Two of the most noted actors during the rise of Musicals in America are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. These actors created numerous classics that contributed to this huge industry.
Over the last century, musical films have taken over the American film by a storm. Musicals such as Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), An American in Paris (1951), and Singin' in the Rain (1952) are just a few monumental films that define the American culture in musicals. To mention even more: West Side Story, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music were sensations in the 1960s. (All with original soundtracks)
The American Market is not the only one that famous musicals play part in. The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and Fiddler on the Roof are just a few musicals that appeal to millions of people of all cultures and races all over the world.
The most known musical composer and songwriter for original plays and musicals is Steven Sondheim. He has written hundreds of original compositions to many of America’s favorite movies such as: West Side Story (1957), Sweeney Todd (1979), and Into the Woods (1987) are just to mention a few.
Musicals also hit the animation industry in the 1980s as well. Movies such as Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Pocahontas. Also, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas are all huge contributors to the film industry.
Today, musical film has taken a different approach. Films such as Mama Mia, Across the Universe, and Moulin Rouge have similar qualities to musicals. However, the music featured in them is not an original soundtrack. Mama Mia(2008) features music from hit 1970s group ABBA. Across the Universe follows a group of young revolutionists through the 60s with music of the Beatles. And Moulin Rouge, an eccentric musical on realizing the most important thing one can learn is to love and be loved in return, is a film with a mixture of songs from quite a variety of artists.
Musicals have always lured in viewers with their magical dance moves and music. The industry is ever-changing in directions, but musicals are one type of film that contribute to appealing the greater whole as viewers.

Musicals.Net. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. .

Musicals101.com - The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musicals. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. .