Magical Christmas Movie Music

Clockwise: The covers of soundtrack albums for 'White Christmas", 'The Muppet Christmas Carol', 'Meet Me In St. Louis' and 'The Polar Express'.

While I tend to focus on Broadway shows and performers on the blog, I have certainly never shied away from the talented singers and performers from the great movie musicals. After all, many of the great films started life on the stage. And since is is a very special week, I thought we could revisit some very special movie moments. And, with Christmas just one sleep away, I thought a look at some magical Christmas musical memories was in order. I will begin with a memory that I still hold dear. You see, I remember watching the movie 'White Christmas' with my family when I was quite young. The 1954 film starred Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen as entertainers and love interests. This was the second film to use the song written by Irving Berlin, the first being 'Holiday Inn' from 1942, another charming film starring Crosby. The storyline is somewhat similar, although the latter one incorporated more musical numbers and patriotism, and was shot in glorious technicolor. The following clip is from the film, with Bring Crosby singing "White Christmas" in the film to his fellow soldiers while serving overseas. This is Crosby singing "White Christmas".

If anyone caught my reference in the opening paragraph, it would reflect this next memory. While it might not be from a film more than 50 years old, it is more than twenty years old. 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' was released in 1992, a retelling of the great classic by Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol'. The film was a mixture of muppets and live actors, with actor Michael Caine playing Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Muppets making up a majority of the cast. The film had original music by Miles Goodman, and the songs were written by Paul Williams. My personal favorite of the soundtrack is when Bob Cratchit, played by Kermit the Frog, sings "One More Sleep 'til Christmas". This is a charming number, as 'Bob' is closing up the office on Christmas Eve, and addresses all the best parts of Christmas. I hope you enjoy Kermit sings "One More Sleep 'til Christmas" from 'The Muppet Christmas Carol'.

That brings me to the most recent film of all four I have showcased here, the animated holiday treat, 'The Polar Express'. The soundtrack of the 2004 film featured some classic songs, like Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas", Frank Sinatra singing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", and the Andrews Sisters with "Winter Wonderland", all of which make for a delightful listen. but it is the new song, written by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, that steals the spotlight. "Believe" is a soaring ballad, with such light and hope oozing out of each line, you can't help but fall in love. And it had a stellar performance by Josh Groban to complete the magic. From the film 'The Polar Express', this is Josh Groban with "Believe".

With my final clip for the evening, I was unable to resist featuring Judy Garland with a song I still love to this very day. The film was directed by Vincent Minnelli, Judy's husband at the time, and the father of Liza Minnelli. The storyline featured a family living in St. Louis at the time of the 1904 World's Fair. The film features two songs sung by Judy that could and should be considered iconic, and both were written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. One such song was "The Trolley Song", a truly wonderful number. But the one I am including here is the stunning "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", a song that has been sung by many since being debuted in the 1944 film, but never better than by Judy. She added just the right amount of everything to make this brilliant. I hope you enjoy this clip of Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from 'Meet Me In St. Louis".

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to all!

Dark Monday - A Broadway Christmas

As this is Christmas week, I thought I would offer up a a few of the ways you could celebrate the holidays, Broadway Style! There are a couple of shows that have really focused on the holiday in one form or another. Of course, there is one that is all about it, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. first opened on Broadway two years ago, having a limited engagement to capitalize on the holiday traffic in New York City. Based on the 1954 film, which itself was based on the 1942 film Holiday Inn (starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale and Marjorie Reynolds), White Christmas starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney, but most of all, the delightful music of the great Irving Berlin. While I might prefer the original film, I have never made it to see the stage musical. But with Irving Berlin's music involved, I don't see how it can go too wrong.



And how about the truly beautiful I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm?



In 1933, Radio City Music Hall produced the very first Christmas Spectacular, a lush and lavish stage show celebrating the season and featuring the world famous Radio City Rockettes. The very first production was designed by Vincent Minnelli, Liza's pop. This season is no different as there is a 2010 edition.



And here's a bit of the 1986 version, showing they take spectacular seriously, and always deliver. I mean, come on, those are live animals, including the camels!



Does it get any more classic than the Jerry Herman musical, Mame? Not the movie, with the disappointing performance of Lucille Ball, but the Broadway show that allowed the amazing Angela Lansbury to light up the stage. Mame opened on Broadway in 1966, starring Lansbury and Bea Arthur, a smashing hit that went on to win eight Tony Awards, including ones for Lansbury, Arthur, Herman and Best Musical. In keeping with the festive timing, here is Angela singing We Need A Little Christmas, a song about bringing the holiday spirit into your life any time of the year you need it.



Then there is the classic song, Bosom Buddies, performed by Lansbury and Arthur. The song celebrates the love and competitive nature of a friendship between two women.



Christmas on Broadway, always something to remember and cherish!

Happy Veterans Day!

Clockwise from Top Left: White Christmas scene, Cher, Village People & Gene Simmons & Friends.

As we in the United States give our thanks to the men and women who have served this country in the armed forces. And by saying that, I mean all people, gay and str8. I thought I would try to celebrate it the way I do best here at this blog, with music. One of my favorite military-themed musical numbers comes from the movie White Christmas. The song, Gee, I Wish I Was Back In The Army, featured the musical talents of Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. It had quite the sense of humor, and some fun music and props!



Of course, few tributes to the men and women in the armed forces could top Cher's in her video for If I Could Turn Back Time. I mean, what means military more than an aircraft carrier, a group of sailers in their dress whites, a woman in a body stocking with a well-placed ribbon and a leather jacket? Not to mention the rather large and protruding artillery...



Gene Simmons had his own tribute to the armed forces a couple of years ago, although it was not as sexy as Cher's, it was still heart-felt and quite fun.



Of course, I would be unable to do this post without the tribute to the armed forces from the Village People, and their iconic In The Navy. Unlike in Cher's video, I would have to think the appearance on the battleship was not endorsed by the Navy, but the flag routine is worth the cost of admission!



Happy Veteran's Day!

Christmas Music - Il Divo

Il Divo was formed om 2001 with the idea that classical singers taking on a combination of genres, from classical to pop, would sell, and I'll be damned if Simon Cowell wasn't right. Il Divo are renowned Spanish baritone, Carlos Marín; two classically trained tenors, Swiss Urs Bühler and American David Miller; and a French pop singer, Sébastien Izambard. Some referred to Il Divo as the first classical boyband.



In 2005, they released The Christmas Collection, which included both secular and religious hymns for the holiday season. The album was certified platinum in the US. The third of five studio albums, it is the only one not to reach the top 10 in the US, settling for #14, not bad for a holiday collection. Their voices are magnificent, and they are certainly not bad to look at, either.

Silent Night at Rockefeller Center


White Christmas


O Holy Night


Somewhere


You can find out more about Il Divo at their offiical website here.

Dark Monday - Irving Berlin's White Christmas

Irving Berlin's White Christmas first opened on Broadway a year ago, having a limited engagement to capitalize on the holiday traffic in New York City. Based on the 1954 film, which itself was based on the 1942 film Holiday Inn (starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale and Marjorie Reynolds), White Christmas starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney, but most of all, the delightful music of the great Irving Berlin. Now, I love both versions of the movie, but have never made it to see the stage musical. But with the music involved, I don't see how it can go too wrong.



One of the great numbers in the movie and the show is Sisters, a great duet featuring the ladies. It is tough to beat Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, but I sure the current cast gives it a shot.



And how about the truly beautiful I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm?



Or I Love A Piano, with a great tap number built in?



Not only is it playing on Broadway, but there is also a touring company coming to a city near you. Or at least they would like to think so! You can find out more at the official website here and click on 'BUY TICKETS' to see the tour dates and places.