Musicals

We started talking about movie musicals just prior to spring break by watching the James Cagney classic, "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Loosely based on the life of George M. Cohan, one of Broadway's very early musical writer, producer, performers.

Movie musicals started with the advent of sound. While music had always been in movies - yes, the silent ones - Rudolph Valentino did a tango that made his female fans swoon - now, voices singing could be heard! The 30s, 40s, and 50s are considered the Golden Age of the Hollywood musical.

http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/musicals.aspx