Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in Swing Time, 1936
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.
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The Birth of the Movie Musical (1927–1945)
The release of The Jazz Singer in 1927 marked not only the arrival of the first talking picture but the birth of the Hollywood movie musical. Over the next 15 years, the genre took shape through a wide range of approaches, from backstage stories and Broadway adaptations to original screen musicals. Rose explores these formative years, highlighting the work of Busby Berkeley, Fred Astaire, the Nicholas Brothers, and other key figures who helped define the movie musical.
Additional Sessions of A History of the Movie Musical Series
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