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The Movie Musical!

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The Movie Musical!

By: Jeanine Basinger
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
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About this listen

 Irresistible and authoritative, The Movie Musical! is an in-depth look at the singing, dancing, happy-making world of Hollywood musicals--an essential audiobook for anyone who's ever laughed, cried, or sung along at the movies.

Leading film historian Jeanine Basinger reveals, with her trademark wit and zest, the whole story of the Hollywood musical--in the most telling, most incisive, most detailed, book of her long and remarkable career.
From Fred Astaire, whom she adores, to La La Land, which she deplores, Basinger examines a dazzling array of stars, strategies, talents, and innovations in the history of musical cinema. Whether analyzing a classic Gene Kelly routine, relishing a Nelson-Jeanette operetta, or touting a dynamic hip hop number (in the underrated Idlewild), she is a canny and charismatic guide to the many ways that song and dance have been seen--and heard--on film.
With extensive portraits of everyone from Al Jolson, the Jazz Singer; to Doris Day, whose iconic sunniness has overshadowed her dramatic talents; from Deanna Durbin, that lovable teen-star of the '30s and '40s; to Shirley T. and Judy G.; from Bing to Frank to Elvis; from Ann Miller to Ann-Margret; from Disney to Chicago . . . focusing on many beloved, iconic films (Top Hat; Singin' in the Rain; Meet Me in St. Louis; The Sound of Music) as well as unduly obscure gems (Eddie Cantor's Whoopee!; Murder at the Vanities; Sun Valley Serenade; One from the Heart), this book is astute, informative, and pure pleasure to read. Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV History & Criticism Screenwriting Entertainment Theatre

Critic Reviews

"An in-depth look at the Hollywood musical ... lively and informative ... the author is the perfect guide ... movie buffs and film students alike will applaud this delightful and insightful work."--Library Journal (starred review)

"A lively history ... an essential addition to any film lover's library."--Kirkus

"Exhilarating ... informative and insightful ... monumental."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
All stars
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I found the writer opinionated to the degree that it just became unlistenable - what came across to me was that her views are the only valid ones. When she was giving straight history the narrative was OK, but soon she was off with her opinion, and rarely, if ever, did she quote from a person with a dissenting view. The reader's performance was great.

A great disappointment

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