This week, we’re highlighting musicals of the ‘50s! From Audrey Hepburn to Gene Kelly, icons of the period graced our screen in lively performances, exuberating a world of bliss as the technology needed to create these masterpieces accelerated and the genre became widely popular.
Funny Face (1957)
By Kailee Krentz
Copy Editor
@kaileeliz
Philosophy and fashion and love, oh my! Stanley Donen’s Funny Face creates a world emerging from the hustle and bustle of New York City into smoky French cafés and lush Parisian gardens.
The movie stars Audrey Hepburn, as bookstore clerk Jo Stockton, meets Dick Avrey and Maggie Prescott (Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson) in an unpleasant first encounter as they bombard Jo’s bookshop to take photos for their fashion magazine.
Dick uses wit and charm through several impressive musical performances to continually enchant Jo, as well as sway her towards the modeling she eventually takes on. Most notably, at the start of the song “Let’s Kiss And Makeup,” Jo is apparently upset, and through no verbal interactions, solely song and dance, Jo and Dick both exit the scene with a smile on their face similar to the one on mine.
From intellectual black turtlenecks to lavish, red floor-length gowns, this film explores relationships through rousing fashion makeovers and invigorating musical performances, creating a life between these characters that is delightful to witness.
Rating: 4/5
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
By Kailee Krentz
Copy Editor
@kaileeliz
The musical of all musicals! In this sensational picture directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, we follow shallow movie actor Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) caught in a whirlwind romance with humble theatre actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). Their tongue-in-cheek love flourishes alongside the film industry and its transition from silent pictures to “talkies,” referring to moving pictures with sound.
The film’s performances would not be complete without the side-kick and comedic relief of Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor). The three characters combine forces and produce magical musical numbers, incorporating a diverse and vibrant colour palette as they communicate through song and dance.
Gene Kelly has an undeniable performance quality that continually entrances the audience. After a kiss between Don and Kathy, the infamous tune of “Singin’ in the Rain” is queued while giddy Don Lockwood skips through the pouring rain, smile beaming and radiating love and joy through the screen. Don prances away, lending out his umbrella to a stranger, as not even the rain will be able to diminish the exuding merriment of this film.
Rating: 5/5
An American in Paris (1951)
By Ferdaous Amrati
Contributor
Letterboxd: @Ferdaous
Vincente Minnelli’s musical, An American in Paris, entrances with its romance, artistry, and escapism blend. Gene Kelly shines as Jerry Mulligan, an American G.I. turned painter who tap-dances his problems away. Jerry falls for the gamine charms of Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron), a shopgirl engaged to his friend, music hall star Henri Baurel (Georges Guétary).
The city of Paris, though Hollywood-made, feels alive in lush Technicolor, where love reigns, dreams come true, and art thrives. Through intimate liaisons and a rich tapestry of dance and orchestral music, it becomes an artistic fantasy. Its pièce de résistance is the 17-minute ballet sequence, a homage to French Impressionism, classical music, and dance.
Though visually stunning, the film prioritizes spectacle over depth. Minnelli’s vision, combined with MGM’s innovation, Kelly’s electric choreography, Gershwin’s music, and Caron’s grace, converges into a singular vector of creativity, defining the golden age of Hollywood musicals. A timeless celebration of art and love, it’s a must-watch for classic cinema and musical aficionados.
Rating: 3.5/5