movies I want to see: musicals
Note: I may change which category I choose for my reviews after I've seen these movies. For now, I'm making my best guesses.
action/adventure / action comedy / animated / anime / B-movies / CGI / classics / comedy / coming-of-age / comix / crime / DC / disaster / documentaries /
drama / dystopian / family / fantasy / film noir / giant monsters / Halloween / holiday / law / martial arts / musicals / mystery / period / romantic / rom-com /
scary / sci-fi / Scooby-Doo / serio-comedy / short / spies / sports / supernatural / surf / teen / thrillers / true story / video games / war / weird / westerns

Note: Most of these entries I took from my musicals page, where I had written some information about them. But a few that I added to this page later don't have such info. Whenever I see any of the films on this page, I'll move these entries back to the musicals page, and for any that don't already have this kind of info, it will be added at that time. (I could do it now, but I am just swamped with other tasks. Like moving things between different sections of my website.)

42nd Street (live-action film)
Released in 1933, the film (which I've never seen) is based on Bradford Ropes's 1932 novel (which I haven't read). The songs were composed by Harry Warren and Al Dubin.

An American in Paris

Anchors Aweigh

Annie (2014)

Annie Get Your Gun (live-action film)
Released in 1950, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Irving Berlin's stage musical.

The Band Wagon (live-action film)
Released in 1953, the film (which I haven't seen) is based on Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz's 1931 stage musical.

Brigadoon (live-action film)
Released in 1954, the film (which I haven't seen) is based on Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's 1947 stage musical.

Bye Bye Birdie

Cabaret (live-action film)
Released in 1972, the film (which I haven't seen) is based on John Kander and Fred Ebb's 1966 stage musical, which itself was based on John Van Druten's 1951 (non-musical) play "I Am a Camera," which in turn was based on Christopher Isherwood's 1939 novel "Goodbye to Berlin." I am familiar with none of that, but I would at least like to see this movie, someday.

Camelot (live-action film)
Released in 1967, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's 1960 stage musical, which itself was based on T. H. White's 1958 novel "The Once and Future King" (which I haven't read, but probably should).

Carousel (live-action film)
Released in 1956, the film (which I haven't seen) is based on Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1945 stage musical, which itself was based on Ferenc Molnár's 1909 (non-musical) play, Liliom. (And one day I took a personality quiz, and this musical was my result.)

The Court Jester (live-action film)
Released in 1956, the film is, I think, the original production of the story, with songs composed by Sammy Cahn and Sylvia Fine. I saw the movie once, and I must have enjoyed it, but now I don't remember anything specific about it. So I really should see it again.

Cry-Baby (live-action film)
Released in 1990, the film is an original story that parodies teen musicals. I think most or all of the songs already existed before the movie. (The movie also inspired a stage musical, though I think it uses different music.) Um... I can't say for certain whether I've seen the movie. I know I kind of wanted to see it for some years, and I think I eventually did. And I think I didn't like it. (I'm generally not a fan of John Waters films.) But I might not mind watching it (again) to refresh my memory, and write a review.

Damn Yankees (live-action film)
Released in 1958, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Richard Alder and Jerry Ross's 1955 stage musical, which itself was based on a 1954 novel by Douglass Wallop (which I haven't read).

Doctor Doolittle (live-action film)
Released in 1967, the film is based on a series of novels by Hugh Lofting (which I haven't read), published between 1920 and 1924. The movie's songs were composed by Leslie Bricusse. I feel like I must have seen this movie at some point, long ago, but now I don't really remember it.

Dreamgirls (live-action film) (Amblin)
Released in 2006, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen's 1981 stage musical.

Easter Parade (live-action film)
Released in 1948, the film (which I've never seen) is, I think, the original production of the story. The songs were composed by Irving Berlin (including the title song, which he'd written in 1933 for the stage musical "As Thousands Cheer").

Everyone Says I Love You

Evita (live-action film)
Released in 1996, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1978 stage musical (previously their 1976 concept album), based on real events.

Fiddler on the Roof (live-action film)
Released in 1971, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's 1964 stage musical, which was based on stories by Sholem Aleichem (which I haven't read).

Flower Drum Song

Funny Face (live-action film)
Released in 1957, the film (which I haven't seen) is maybe sort of based on George & Ira Gershwin's 1927 stage musical? Anyway, it's something I'd like to see mainly because I think this is the movie that was mentioned in one episode of "Kate and Allie"... though I could be mistaken about that.

Funny Girl (live-action film)
Released in 1968, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill's 1964 stage musical, based on real events.

Gigi (live-action film)
Released in 1958, the film (which I haven't seen) is based on a 1944 novella by Colette (which I haven't read). There were also another movie and play based on the book, before this film, which I also haven't seen. This movie features songs composed by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.

The Greatest Showman

Guys and Dolls (live-action film)
Released in 1955, the film (which I've never seen) is an adaptation of Frank Loesser's 1950 stage musical.

Gypsy (live-action film)
Released in 1962, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne's 1959 stage musical, which itself was based on Gypsy Rose Lee's 1957 memoirs (which I haven't read). There was also a TV movie version in 1993, which I also haven't seen. But I'd like to see both the 1962 and 1993 versions, someday.

Hair (live-action film)
Released in 1979, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of James Rado/Gerome Ragni/Galt MacDermot's 1967 stage musical.

Hello, Dolly!

The King and I (live-action film)
Released in 1956, the film is an adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1951 stage musical, which itself is based on Margaret Landon's 1944 novel (which I haven't read), which is based on real events. I actually don't remember if I've seen the movie; I may have seen a bit of it, or even all of it. But probably not. The only version of the story I definitely have seen is the 1999 film Anna and the King, which is not a musical.

Les Misérables (live-action film)
Released in 2012, the film (which I haven't seen) is based on Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's 1980 stage musical, which itself was based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel. (I read what must have been an abridged version at some point, probably in high school, but I don't remember a great deal about it.) The book has been adapted many times before this movie, and doubtless will in the future. (Incidentally, I kind of feel like I should list this under "M" rather than "L," but... "Les" is really such a familiar part of the title that it sort of doesn't matter that it's really an article.)

Mamma Mia! (live-action film)
Released in 2008, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of the 1999 stage musical, which itself was based on songs by 1970s band ABBA.

Man of La Mancha (live-action film)
Released in 1972, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion's 1965 stage musical, which was inspired by Miguel de Cervantes's 17th century novel "Don Quixote" (which I haven't read).

Matilda the Musical

Mean Girls

Meet Me in St. Louis (live-action film)
Released in 1944, the film (which I haven't seen) is based on stories by Sally Benson, published between 1941-42 (which I've never read). The movie includes some pre-existing songs, as well as some composed for the film by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane.

My Fair Lady (live-action film)
Released in 1964, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's 1956 stage musical, which itself was based on George Bernard Shaw's 1912 play. There have been numerous adaptations of the play before and since this one, some of them musical, none of which I've seen. But the story is very familiar.

Oklahoma! (live-action film)
Released in 1955, the film (which I've never seen) is based on Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1943 stage musical. (I'm vaguely familiar with the song "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," which I associate with "CBS This Morning.")

Oliver!

The Pirates of Penzance (live-action film)
Released in 1983, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Gilbert & Sullivan's 1879 comic opera. I don't recall ever having heard of this movie, but I figured there must be some film adapation of the opera, so I looked... and this is pretty much all I found. So I guess I'll probably check it out someday, because I've long been vaguely aware of the opera. Especially "The Major-General's Song," which has been parodied any number of times. (I definitely liked the version done on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.) Aaaand I've long thought it would be fun to hear Data's poem "Ode to Spot" from an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation sung to the tune of that song. So one day in 2013, I finally did it myself.

Popeye (Great but Forgotten)

The Producers (live-action film)
Released in 2005, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Mel Brooks's 2001 stage musical, which itself was based on Brooks's own 1968 film (which I haven't seen).

Rent (live-action film)
Released in 2005, the film (which I haven't seen) is based on Jonathan Larson's 1996 stage musical, which itself was based on Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera "La bohčme."

Road to... (live-action films)
Released between 1940 and 1962. I haven't seen any of these movies, but I'd like to. For now, I can't really say if any of them are completely original or based on anything else, nor who composed any of the songs.

Robin and the 7 Hoods

Show Boat (live-action film)
Released in 1951, the film is based on Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein's 1927 stage musical, which itself was based on Edna Ferber's 1926 novel. There were at least a couple other movies before this one. I'm fairly sure I saw one of the movies at some point, and I'm guessing it's this one, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I don't remember anything about the movie other than the song "Ol' Man River." But I'd probably like to see the movie again someday, and write a review.

Silk Stockings (live-action film)
Released in 1957, the film is an adaptation of Cole Porter's 1955 stage musical, which itself was based on the 1939 film Ninotchka. I must have seen this movie on TV sometime in the late 80s or early 90s, though the only thing I remember about it is the song "Stereophonic Sound," which I quite enjoyed. I'm surprised to learn that the plot is based on Ninotchka, since I saw that movie for the first time in 2013, and the plot was completely unfamiliar to me. But I guess that can happen when you can't remember the plots of movies you saw years ago. Anyway, I'd like to see this again sometime, to write a review.

Singin' in the Rain (live-action film)
Released in 1952, the film is, I think, the original production of the story (it was later adapted into a stage musical). Most or all of the songs were from previous musicals (which I haven't seen and probably never will). I must have seen this movie on TV at some point, and I'm sure I liked it. But that was before I had a website, so I'll have to watch it again someday, to write a review.

Song of the South (live-action/animated film)
Released in 1946, the film is based on stories collected and published in 1881 (which I haven't read). I think the songs were composed specifically for this movie. Um... I saw the movie when I was very young, but now I barely remember anything about it (and I only recall one of the songs). I suppose I'd like to see the movie again someday, to write a review.

South Pacific (live-action film)
Released in 1958, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1949 stage musical, which itself was based on James A. Michener's 1947 novel (which I haven't read).

Tom Sawyer
I think I only know this exists because I found a page for it on Shout Factory's website.

Tommy (live-action film)
Released in 1975, the film (which I've never seen) is based on The Who's 1969 rock opera album. I am, of course, familiar with the song "Pinball Wizard," but that's probably all I know.

The Wiz (live-action film)
Released in 1978, the film (which I'm fairly sure I never saw) is an adaptation of Charlie Smalls's 1974 stage musical, which was based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

Xanadu (Badmovies.org; Lost Highway) (live-action film)
Released in 1980, the film (which I haven't seen) is... I have no idea.

Yentl (live-action film)
Released in 1983, the film (which I haven't seen) is an adaptation of Isaac Bashevis Singer's 1975 play.


musical films index

Note: I may change which category I choose for my reviews after I've seen these movies. For now, I'm making my best guesses.
action/adventure / action comedy / animated / anime / B-movies / CGI / classics / comedy / coming-of-age / comix / crime / DC / disaster / documentaries /
drama / dystopian / family / fantasy / film noir / giant monsters / Halloween / holiday / law / martial arts / musicals / mystery / period / romantic / rom-com /
scary / sci-fi / Scooby-Doo / serio-comedy / short / spies / sports / supernatural / surf / teen / thrillers / true story / video games / war / weird / westerns