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 Modern Era (1970-today) Rose explores the later chapters of the movie musical, from the end of the blockbuster Broadway adaptations of the 1970s to the genre's reinventions in recent decades. He looks at major successes and notable flops, highlighting figures such as Bob Fosse and Stephen Sondheim and films such as Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Saturday Night Fever, and Chicago. Rose also traces the musical's revival through animation, stage-to-screen transfers, and contemporary hits like La La Land, West Side Story (2021), and Wicked, showing how the movie musical has repeatedly reinvented itself and found new ways to connect with contemporary audiences. 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 12: The Blockbuster Era (1955-1970) General Information View Common FAQs and Policies about our Onli