"A man who can dance is exciting!" (Patrick Swayze, 1988)

“You dance love; you dance, joy, you dance dreams.”(Gene Kelly, 1985)

As I begin the one hundred thirty-second blog centered on twelve of the finest Movie Musicals ever made, I am drawn to the idea of the song and dance man as exciting and romantic.

In a Facebook post, a friend compared Kelly and Astaire as romantic leads. She allowed that both men were" brilliant performers, were appealing, charismatic and engaging, and had 'It.'" However, Kelly as a man in love, was more believable. ("You never doubt for a moment that his vulnerable, yearning characters are in love. Can we say  the same about guarded, suave Astaire?")

Now that's a thought-provoking question. Here's another. How is romantic love different across the genre?

Welcome to Movies and Music ~ The 2023 Edition~ The Many Faces of Romance in the Movie Musical

As The Guidebook opens, there are traditional romantic faces, appealing, charismatic, and engaging. The Matinee Idol – Don Lockwood  (Singin' in the Rain),  The Gorgeous Musician - Bill Abbot  (Orchestra Wives), and The Country Cowboy - Curley (Oklahoma). The man's man. ("Women want him, and men want to be him.”)

But what of the "mature man with talent, experience, wit, and charm?" (Wallace and Davis - White Christmas, Jim Hardy – Holiday Inn,  Don Hewes – Easter Parade, Harold Hill - Music Man )  Their romantic appeal lies in their voices and the grace of their dancing. (It Only Happens When I Dance With You), and even in their inability to see the love in front of them. (Don to Hannah: "Why didn't you tell me I was in love with you?") Don Hewes may have admitted it, but they all realize it, whether when their love sings (Marian, Hannah) or when she leaves. ( Betty, Linda)

The realization that love is before you can be pretty surprising.

For the  young (John Truitt, Meet Me in St. Louis), flirtation/romance   can be a little awkward ("You've got a mighty strong grip for a girl!")

When  Tommie Albright (Brigadoon) discovers it, it's "like a bell that is ringing for me." Adam (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers),  who did not see marriage as a romantic endeavor but rather an item on a shopping list, finds "when you're in love, really in love, there's no way on earth to hide it." John Adams (1776), who, like Adam, does not speak of love or romance aloud, finds tremendous comfort and romance in the lost art of letter writing. ("I am now and ever shall be, yours, yours, yours!") 

For Motel, Perchik, and Fyeidka (Fiddler on the Roof), it's a miracle! 

Whether traditional, surprising, or miraculous, Romance in the Movie Musical is worth exploring! So come along for the fun!

~ Lori 

References:

Roach, J. (Director). (1997). Austin Powers [Film]. New Line Cinema.

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