As the frock flicker who came up with the tag “shaddup I love musicals,” yeah, I really enjoy a lot of musicals, especially those with historical settings. Sure, I love all kinds of musicals, from The Wizard of Oz to Top Hat to Holiday Inn to even Hair, but those are all set in the period contemporary to when they were made. Thus, not frock flicks. So here are my five top historical costume musicals, primarily based on the music and how hard it’s stuck in m head.
Camelot (1967)
This one makes me cry every damn time. The costumes are haphazardly vaguely medieval by way of the 1960s, but the music slaps.
My Fair Lady (1964)
Now this is the full package — amazing costumes and kick-ass tunes! Sure, the costumes are still 1960s versions of Edwardian, but the Ascot scene is legendary.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Unlike my other picks, this isn’t a standard musical because this movie was made to showcase a bunch of previously released songs from 1920s-30s MGM musicals. But I know those songs best from Singin’ in the Rain, so it counts!
Mary Poppins (1964)
When Disney does a frock flick, the history always suffers, but who cares when this musical is practically perfect in every other way!
Hamilton (2020)
Finally, one recently made musical that’s about a historical topic. I mainlined the soundtrack for a couple years before I got to see the touring show and then the filmed version on Disney+.
Do you love frock flick musicals? Which ones to you sing along to?
Where is The Music Man?
I reviewed it on the blog but it’s doesn’t make my top 5 ;)
Calamity Jane, Hello Dolly, Kismet, Seven Brides, The King And I, …oh I’m with ya!
I do love Hello Dolly, tho’ I found Calamity Jane didn’t hold up as well on viewing as an adult. Oddly, I’ve never been a fan of The King & I.
But the hats!
‘Singing in the Rain’ is the best movie musical ever!
Though your other picks aren’t shabby (Camelot works better on stage). Seven Brides for the barn raising choreography. ‘Sound of Music’ still works, ditto Cabaret.
‘Funny thing…forum’ only Sondheim film that works.
Sound of Music would be my #6 for sure.
“Fiddler on the Roof” is probably the movie musical that has had the most profound impact on my life, but the costumes are not exactly showstopping – and that’s kind of the point. The movie centers the storytelling.
I actually didn’t watch that one till a few years ago & wow, I was blown away. It’s really good!
I’m pretty sure Showboat was key to my love of the bustle eras.
I can imagine that :)
Hello Dolly, Funny Girl, Funny Lady, Yentl…basically anything Streisand!
Her historicals are nuts but the music is great!
I LOVE Mary Poppins!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s undeniable :)
I’m sorry, but Meet Me In St. Louis really is the ultimate 1940s does Edwardian Frock Flick! “Clang, Clang, Clang goes the trolley!” Everybody sing with me!
I do adore that movie, but it doesn’t have enough songs to rank in my top 5 musicals. It’s more of a “movie with a few songs here & there” instead of a ton of songs strung together with a loose plot.
I adore Audrey Hepburn. Some of my favorite musicals with historical settings are Bullets Over Broadway, Chicago and Cabaret.
Somehow I haven’t watched Chicago all the way thru & I mean to fix that.
Vive LES MISERABLES!
Lol, one of those musicals I dislike, perhaps bec. I had a college roommate who LOVED it so I heard it on repeat for several years!
I’ll admit to being that bloke that just doesn’t get musicals. Almost all lost on me. I do at least give them a chance – there are a few genres I really drag my feet on, but I’ll try them out.
My favorite musicals make me sound like a damn contrarian, which I swear I’m not generally. But they are both frock flicks/period pieces! Marat/Sade (1967) and Perceval le Gallois (1978). Marat/Sade is technically a musical and is actually my favorite haha.
Perceval le Gallois is not the opera. It has both spoken lines and the characters burst into song, so follows the format of a musical. It’s also the most literal interpretation of an Arthurian legend put to film, at times word-for-word matching the source verse. I love it but it’s not for everyone.
Interesting picks!
Love Singing in the Rain! Unfortunately my two favorite “frock” musicals aren’t flicks (at least the Musical versions): Secret Garden and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Thoroughly Modern Millie is something of a guilty pleasure for me through. And Grease. And Bye Bye Birdie. Oh and Cinderella! And probably half a dozen others once I actually sit down and think about it. So I definitely share the love for movie musicals.
I didn’t know there’s a musical of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Do yourself a favor and look up (at the very least) Into the Fire and The Creation of Man (The Douglas Sill version especially) on youtube. Preferably with video.
I’ve always maintained that I dislike musicals, but looking through all these mentioned above, I realize I do – it’s the more recent ones I mostly dislike. That would be over the last 30 years or so. Sondheim with his repetitive non-song songs and pointless plots; the endless turning of movies into musicals for lack of original ideas and to capitalize on their popularity; bizarre choices like that updated wives of Henry Vlll one (riding the coattails of all the 15th and 16th c. “historical” films and series?); the obligatory power ballad (delivered while maintaining a fierce stance, fists clenched, staring resolutely into the distance). Thank you, I feel much better now…
I do have to add that the Arts and Crafts furniture and decorative objects in My Fair Lady are wonderfull!
If you’re talking about “Six” – I saw it in London & loved it! An excellent riff on the Henry VIII story centering the wives & adding nuance. Plus catchy songs, which a musical requires! If there’s ever a movie made, I’ll watch it & review it here ;)