“I'm ready to take a chance again.
Ready to put my love on the line with you."

"Been livin' with nothing to show for it.
You get what you get when you go for it
and I'm ready to take a chance again with you!”

(Barry Manilow, 1978)

Welcome Back to Movies and Music!  The 2016 Edition!

As we “get ready” for 2016, we find a new version of the Guidebook waiting to be explored.

Movies and Music: A Guide To Turning the Classic Movie Musical Into An Interactive Event offers another chance for clinicians, activity professionals, educators, and family members to explore 12 of the finest movie musicals ever made, while answering thought provoking questions.

This year we add “what?”

What is it about the movie musical (these 12 films in particular), that make us happy when we’re sad, make us want to sing, reminisce, explore social behavior, and find that second chances are always welcome?

Based on the premise of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and in the end, boy gets girl, the movie musical thrives on “putting (your) love on the line” and taking a chance.

Whether it’s Bing taking the plunge back into the “icy” waters of a relationship with Rosemary while trying to  “get things back to where they were yesterday,” in White Christmas, or Adam returning to Millie following a long winter’s separation and proclaiming “When you’re in love, really in love…there is no way on earth to hide it”, in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, love and friendship get tested and get a second chance in all the guidebook’s films.

As the guidebook opens we find playboy Bill Abbott, in pursuit of Connie Ward. Once married to the trumpet player, Connie finds being an Orchestra Wife is more than she bargained for. “I didn’t mind never seeing you…or never going any place with you... as long as I felt you loved me. It just isn’t worth it when you don’t!”  While Bill tries in vane to explain, Connie leaves and waits for Bill’s best friend and sidekick, Sinjin, to help get her second chance.

The sidekick is a staple in the movie musical. Whether they be a best friend, (Ben Franklin to John Adams: 1776, Jeff Douglas to Tommy Albright: Brigadoon), the sibling (Judy Haynes to Betty Haynes: White Christmas), or the parent (Mama   to Marian: The Music Man, Aunt Eller to Laurey: Oklahoma), each is instrumental in moving the story forward and helping the separated couple get their “chance.”

Each relationship can become the catalyst to answer all those thought provoking questions:

 Beginning with: “Why choose these films?”

All the films contained in the guide are not only great pieces of film history, to which everyone should be exposed, but also great pieces of our history, which weave into the fabric of our lives and fill us with great memories to share.  

Progressing to:  “How do I utilize these films as a source of engagement?” 

Kick that sedentary event up a notch!  The Classic Movie Musical promotes communication, introspection reminiscence, and inference for all stages and many different ages.

Ending with this year’s question: “What is it about the movie musical (these 12 films in particular), that makes us happy when we’re sad, makes us want to sing, reminisce, explore social behavior, and find that second chances are always welcome?”

This question has many answers that will be explored with all stages and many different ages throughout this year.

For now, the simplest answer may be the best: They are fun!

If you’re looking to find the fun in a work environment that has become a little stressful, for common ground with your students, a “way in” with your older clientele, or a way to talk to Grandma get ready for your chance to explore the new edition of Movies and Music: A Guide To Turning the Classic Movie Musical Into An Interactive Event all year long!

Welcome to the Fun!

~Lori

Coming in February:  Get ready to take a chance on a building a new nation with the second continental congress in 1776!