Classics
The era of the musicals
Still appealing after all these years
For all those people in their 40s and over, musical films such as The King and I, My Fair Lady, South Pacific and Gigi still have an evergreen quality. Who can forget Eliza Doolittle's struggles with refinement; the grace of Gigi as she enters womanhood, or the overbearing king of Siam's stormy relationship with Anna, an English teacher? The bonus for music lovers everywhere is the long play records, embellished with striking visuals and rich text. And if you are lucky enough to own these records, an opportune reminder: hold on to them.My Fair Lady: The perennial favourite stars Audrey Hepburn as Eliza and Rex Harrison as Professor Higgins who wagers with his friend and fellow linguist (played by Wilfrid Hyde White) that he will transform the cockney flower seller Eliza into a lady who can pass for a duchess. The films, which won the Best Picture award in 1964, depicts the ups and downs of the relationship of the professor and Eliza. From the seedy backstreets of London to the elegant environs of cultured society, the film traces Eliza's journey of self-discovery. The King and I: Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr are in the lead roles of this film. As the autocratic King of Siam (now Thailand) Brynner gives a powerful performance. He is cast opposite Deborah Kerr in the role of Anna, the English teacher who comes to educate the king's numerous children. Along the way, the pair discover an affinity. Despite a clash of wills on several issues, Anna soon discovers that Mongkut, the king, is a true man of vision who seeks to lead Siam to its place among the nations of the world. Likewise, the king acknowledges Anna as a confidante to him and his people. The musical hits from this film are: Getting to know you, Shall we dance and I have dreamed, among others. A new version of The King and I, is the controversial film Anna and the King. The film, starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat, evoked criticism for romanticising the relationship. South Pacific: Set on an American Navy base located on a tropical island in the South Pacific, the stage and film versions were originally launched in 1949 and 1958 respectively. The story is based on the Pulizer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener. South Pacific's musical scores remain in the memory. Take songs such as Some enchanted evening, Younger than springtime and There is nothing like a dame. The composers are Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein who have teamed up for other musical ventures. Re-released in a budget range, this unparalleled classic has the ingredients of a good musical: intrigue, comedy, passion and well -remembered songs. Gigi: This film won the award for the Best Motion Picture in 1958. The Lerner and Loewe musical stars well known names such as Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jourdan. The story revolves around the central figure of Gigi (played by Caron) and her coming of age as a woman. Interspersed with her relationship with Gaston (Jourdan) are catchy songs such as It's a bore and Thank heaven for little girls. Compiled by Cultural Correspondent
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