"You wanna own the world? You want it stuffed and mounted? You can't do it sitting down! Stand Up and be counted. But if you wanna break the rules. Stand Up!" (Rick Springfield, 1984)

As the Guidebook opens to the summer offerings, we find three ruling-breaking women, Millie (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Marian (The Music Man), and Kathy (Singin' in the Rain), who defy a culture that tells them they should marry and raise a family.

Welcome to the Summer 2022 Edition ~~  The Empowered Independent Woman

As each story begins, these empowered women are unique to the classic movie musical formula. Why? They work for a living: Millie is a cook at a local Inn. Marian is the town librarian with a reputation. ("That woman made brazen overtures to a man who never had a friend in this town 'till she came here.")  Kathy Seldon has dreams of a career on the stage. ("Acting means great parts with wonderful lines. Speaking those glorious words! Shakespeare, Ibsen!")  

They do not seek out a man's attention. When it is offered, it is rebuffed:

Millie: "I'd say yes to one of them, and an awful sinkin' feeling would strike me."

Upon her initial meeting with Professor Harold Hill, Marian ignores him, meets his flirtations with curt negative responses, and slams the door in his face.

Kathy: "You keep away from me! Just because you're a big movie star, wild parties, swimming pools, you expect every girl to fall in a dead faint at your feet!"

When considering the right men for these independent women, Marian says it best, "I have my standards where men are concerned." Standards to which these handsome, charismatic men neither recognize nor measure up. Instead, they believe they can get what they want through flirtation ("People think we lead lives of glamour and romance, but we're really lonely, terribly lonely."~ Don Lockwood. "I'll back her into a corner and breathe on her glasses." ~ Harold Hill), or sheer will. ("I'm here today to get me a wife. I don't aim to go back home empty-handed." ~ Adam Ponepeii)

However, It isn't flirtation, charisma, or will that draw these women to these "strangers." Instead, it is their willingness to change, both outwardly (Adam shaves his beard before marrying Millie ) and inwardly. (Don admits he has feelings for Kathy: "I'm trying to say something to you, but I'm such a ham, I'm not able to without the proper setting." Harold befriends Marian's shy brother Winthrop encouraging his love for the cornett, which sparks tenderness in both Harold and Marian)

With attitudes changing and tenderness growing, the empowered, independent woman discovers that finding her man does not weaken her. It strengthens him.

Harold does not run for the last train out of town as the townspeople chase him with tar and feathers. Don does not allow the studio system to exploit Kathy when powerful forces want to keep her in the background. Adam does not let his brothers fight the bride's families when they come up the mountain.

Instead, each man steps up and does what's right!

Harold leads the band with a simple command, "Think men, think," and a wave of his wand.

Don runs onstage and stops Kathy from leaving the theatre, saying, "Ladies and Gentlemen, that's the girl whose voice you heard and loved tonight  -- Kathy Seldon." Giving them both a successful career.

Adam confesses to Millie upon seeing his daughter: "I got to thinkin' about the baby, about how I'd feel if someone came sneakin' in and carried her off! I'd string him up from the nearest tree. I thought a lot about you too. I couldn't get you off my mind. Millie, when you're in love, when you're really in love."  With these words, they embrace and begin an independent life together.

Confessions, Declarations, and a willingness to change with your partner empower these Classic Movie Musical Couples to take on whatever lies ahead.

Have a Safe and Happy Summer!

Thanks for looking in! 

Remember to follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Movies-and-Music-196819043698265

See you in September!

~~Lori