Film Musicals

Film musicals incorporate elements of music, song, dance and theatre, offering a rich sensory experience.
The genre originated in the early 20th century, coinciding with the advent of sound technology in cinema.

Integrated Musical Numbers: In most film musicals, characters spontaneously break into song and dance, which serves as an integral part of the storyline.
Merging of Reality and Fantasy: These films often blur the lines between reality and fantasy, presenting a heightened interpretation of the world.

The Jazz Singer (1927): Acknowledged as the first ‘sound film’, it paved the way for the genre’s growth.
The Golden Age (1930s-1960s): Musicals became a staple of the classic Hollywood studio system. Noteworthy films include The Wizard of Oz and Singin’ in the Rain.
Revival and Adaptations: From the late 20th century to present day, there has been a revival of film musicals, often as adaptations of successful stage productions, like Chicago and Les Misérables.

Composers: Some of the most influential composers for this genre include Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Stephen Schwartz.
Performers: Iconic performers in film musicals include Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Julie Andrews, and more recently, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway.

Interplay of Elements: A critical understanding of film musicals derives from the analysis of how elements such as melody, rhythm, harmony, and orchestration interplay with the film’s visual components.
Narrative Function: Consider the function of music in the narrative - does it forward the plot, develop characters, or establish mood and setting?

Key Terms

Diegetic Music: Music that characters in the film can hear, often performed on-screen.
Non-diegetic Music: Background music that characters cannot hear, typically used to enhance emotion or drama.