Best Of Warner Bros. 20 Film Collection Musicals (DVD)

Beautiful set. I was expecting a box with loose discs like most big sets these days, but each disk had it’s own spot in gorgeous containers. Wonderful for the price (got it on sale)!

For a film buff this is a great collection. There are a couple of misfires (Camelot, Paint Your Wagon) but overall a great collection at a great price.

I want to congratulate Warner Brothers/ MGM for their terrific “Best of” box sets, particularly the Musicals, Romance and Best Pictures sets. They periodically go on sale, so you should be able to get them at a good price. The good thing here is that most of the musicals are well known. They span from 1927 through 1988 (the 1990’s weren’t a good decade for movie musicals). You get just a few of the singing/dancing extravaganzas particularly common in the 1930’s, and also a documentary of these films in “That’s Entertainment”. You get films acknowledged as great like “Wizard of Oz” and “Singing in the Rain”, a couple of Oscar winners (“An American in Paris”), musicals that address social issues (“Cabaret” and “Showboat”), and even a little Elvis. They have also included commentary and/or features for some of the films. For example, I was interested in the explanation of how/why they changed the ending for “Little Shop of Horrors”.

In summary, great entertainment for these days when we’re unable to go to movie theaters.

In celebration of its Anniversary, Warner Bros. is releasing its (and MGM’S) vast film library in genre specific Box Set Collections. The “20 Musicals Collection” is, for the most part, cause for grand celebration. The 20 films collected here are a good to great historical representation of the genre. Most of the films included here have deservedly made several “Best Of” or “Top Ten” film lists. The DVDS are housed in sturdy, attractive purple cases; neatly divided into three separate sections: 1927-1951, 1951-1964, and 1967-1988.
1927-1951: “The Jazz Singer” was obviously included for its historical importance; as the film that revolutionized the motion picture industry. It’s only “part talkie”, and half silent. It’s hard to believe that “Broadway Melody” won Best Picture of 1928-1929. When this “Melody” isn’t stilted, it is melodramatic. The entertainment finally kicks into high gear with the sassy and snappy backstage tale ” of 42nd Street”. “The Great Ziegfeld” is an epic, all-star biopic; the forerunner of those epic, road-show musical releases that came into (and quickly out of) fashion in the 1950’s-1960’s. The best musical of the 1930’s is, definitely, “The Wizard Of Oz”, the beloved classic starring Judy Garland that remains in a special class by itself. James Cagney won an Academy Award for his role in the patriotic “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Eyebrows were raised, no doubt, when “An American In Paris” won the Best Picture Academy Award against “A Streetcar Named Desire” in 1951. Still, there is no denying the overall excellence of the production, especially the magnificent “American In Paris” ballet.
1951-1964: This section starts out grand enough; with “Show Boat” and “Singin’ In The Rain.” No arguments from me on these two choices. But now my problems begin. I can’t stand “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers”, and the alleged “small town, marching down Main Street, U.S.A” charms of “The Music Man” bore me to death– well, at least, to sleep. The best musical in this section is 1954’s “A Star Is Born”; representing a brilliant dramatic and musical tour-de-force and artistic apex for director George Cukor and monumentally talented star Judy Garland. In his own way, Elvis Presley is just as magnetic and talented as Judy Garland. (Sadly, both Elvis and Judy gave their all to show-biz and worked themselves, literally, to death). Elvis really sizzles opposite the equally hot Ann Margaret in the fun “Viva, Los Vegas.” Still, I’m perplexed: Why are “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” and “The Music Man” included here instead of “Gypsy” and “My Fair Lady”? “My Fair Lady” seems a particularly odd omission; especially since it won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture”, for Warner Bros. in 1964. Maybe the rights are now owned by Paramount, the “home studio” of divine “Fair Lady” Audrey Hepburn. and Warner Bros, can’t get them back? Your guess is as good as mine.
1967-1988: Ever wonder how the musical film died? Watch the opulent, costly and crumbling “Camelot”, where Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave mumble their way through Lerner and Loewe’s melodious and lovely score. The genre was moribund, and thank God Bob Fosse, Liza Minnelli, and Joel Grey brought it back to adult life with “Cabaret.” Actually, after “Camelot”, all the films in this section shine and entertain in diverse ways. Robert Preston, better than in “The Music Man”, steals the show as Toddy, the cabaret artist who helps Julie Andrews become the toast of Gay Paree in the warm, witty and wise gender-bender gem “Victor/Victoria.” Oddball, endearing charm is also on display in “Willy Wonka And “The Chocolate Factory”, “Little Shop Of Horrors” and “Hairspray.” Fittingly, the Musical genre is celebrated once again in the original “That’s Entertainment!”, a glorious clip-fest where, among MGM’S countless stars, Judy Garland deservedly and easily steals the show once again.
Most of the DVDS (but not all) include audio commentary or some Special Features. In addition, the Box Set includes a colorful booklet, with information and photos from every film included. So, get ready for a fun Musical Film Festival. Pass the Popcorn: This is REAL entertainment!

Great collection at a good price – it was deal of the day. Not every one is a winner, but even 15 winners out of 20 is enough to put a smile on my face.

bon prix