Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of In the Heights, we’re counting down our favorite movie musicals adapted from the stage. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Joseph here, and this week I’m looking away from the silver screen and instead am focusing on the small screen to talk to you about Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, what I believe to be the only film in this week’s BEC to not be theatrically released. However, what this direct-to-video film lacks in cinematography, it makes up for with sheer charisma, as I could not help but sing and dance along to the music. Depicting the story from the book of Genesis of Joseph, son of Jacob, every character and actor is charismatic. From Donny Osmond and Maria Friedman to Richard Attenborough, they all are clearly having a blast in their respective roles in this film, which is made to look like a performance in front of a group of schoolchildren. Adapted from the second show created by English Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, writer of multiple Broadway hits, you should not overlook this musical. So grab your amazing Technicolor phones and remotes and give this one a chance. (Joseph Davis)
Let’s do the Time Warp together and travel back to 1975 with The Rocky Horror Picture Show,which has since gained a massive cult following that has led to its success. Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick star in this adaptation of the stage play, the film, which tells the story of couple named Brad and Janet whose car breaks down near Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle, and their night is only beginning when they go to use Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s telephone. The Rocky Horror Picture Show musical keeps its horror roots, but the music will have you singing and dancing along in no time. The character of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (played brilliantly by Tim Curry) steals the show immediately once Dr. Frank-N-Furter appears while singing the song “Sweet Transvestite.” The Rocky Horror Picture Show was ultimately considered a failure when it first was released in theaters, but it gained success with viewers within the LGBTQ+ community who resonate with the film’s many characters. This film being called ahead of its time in terms of storytelling and humor is an understatement to say the least. The humor, the cast, the costumes, the songs, and the story truly make it one for the ages. If you are a lover of horror, science fiction, comedy, and musicals The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a must watch. (Austen Terry)
When it comes to movie leads, it’s hard to compete with the star power brought by the duo of Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra in Guys and Dolls. Brando plays a gambler who is challenged to a bet to take Jean Simmons’ Sarah on a date as Sinatra looks to finance his craps game. There’s also plenty of talent behind the scenes, with four-time Oscar winner Joseph Mankiewicz directing. His experience and skill pay off as there are plenty of massive musical set pieces to coordinate. The highpoint is “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” The energy of the piece is impossible not to get swept up in. If you’re a fan of classic musicals, this is a must-see. (Jake Bourgeois)
Hairspray is an interesting choice for this BEC since this was a movie first (the original Hairspray movie came out in 1988), then became a stage musical in 2002, and finally a movie version of the musical. This musical stands out for its body positivity messages in addition to the fight for racial justice in 1960s Baltimore. The cast is stellar — particular standouts include Elijah Kelly, Queen Latifah, and Nikki Blonski in her first role! The songs are amazing while they ooze with emotion and gravity. The song, “I Know Where I’ve Been” is a beautiful and solemn song about the struggles of the past and being hopeful (not bitter) about what the future could be. The final song, “You Can’t Stop The Beat”is particularly infectious, and gives a chance for most of the cast to shine. It’s a joyous song about the possibilities that a future of equality and love can continue to spread and eventually becoming unstoppable. Who knew a teenage dance show could prove to be so impactful with positive change. (Mike Hilty)
And now ladies and gentlemen, SiftPop is proud to present a Best Ever Challenge, in their own rendition of Chicago’s All that Jazz…
Five, Six, Seven, Eight:
Slick editing and sexy costumes,
And all that jazz!
Catherine Zeta Jones didn’t use auto-tune,
And all that jazz!
A courtroom farce to make you laugh and hum
With tons of catchy songs to make you shake your bum,
The Cell Block Tango slaps and makes you stand and clap,
To do… that… jazz!
It’s the best ever adapted show around,
And all that jazz!
Queen Latifa sings and shakes the inmates down,
And all that jazz!
Cast your votes, an Oscar’s what it’s got,
Where the actin’s great ‘n the directin’s hot!
Reneé is quite a doll, and Gere has got it all,
And all… that… jaaaaaaaazz!! (Nick Ferro)
Rick Moranis plays a lovable florist named Seymour in this quirky musical about a so-called “strange and interesting plant” with a thirst for blood. Aside from containing some of the catchiest tunes you will ever hear, Little Shop of Horrors has a delightfully bizarre sense of humor along with surprisingly terrific, Oscar-nominated practical effects. The performances are uniformly excellent, including four scene-stealing cameos from comedy legends Christopher Guest, John Candy, Bill Murray, and Steve Martin, whose portrayal of a sadistic dentist is the highlight of the film. I would strongly suggest seeking out the director’s cut of the film, which includes a decidedly darker (and significantly more enjoyable) ending. If you are a fan of musicals, offbeat comedy, or carnivorous plants, then this is a film for you! (Foster Harlfinger)
I’ve been lucky enough to see My Fair Lady on stage a couple times at the great outdoor St. Louis Muny Theatre. Not only is the stage performance an absolute favorite of mine, the movie is no different. It was nominated for an impressive 12 Oscars and was a winner of eight, including Best Actor, Director, and Picture. Did you ever see She’s All That? It’s adapted from this classic about a pair of condescending gentlemen who pull a woman off the streets and make a wager as to whether they can pass her off as a lady in London high society. Though some of the language in this film hasn’t aged well and can be misogynistic at times, the heart of this production is still in the right place regarding treating others with kindness and respect. There are a ton of aesthetics to appreciate as well, with tremendous costume design and art direction to replicate Edwardian England. Plus, it features terrific acting, highlighted by Rex Harrison and, icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Audrey Hepburn. Beyond the fun and entertaining narrative, you’ll also be blessed with amazing songs like, “With a Little Bit of Luck,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” and the famous “The Rain in Spain.” My Fair Lady is a classic for a reason — be sure to take it in soon! (Heath Lynch)
So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune? One of the most iconic lines of one of the most iconic songs in film history, sung by one of the most iconic characters to grace the silver screen. Fiddler on the Roof is not only one of the most famous and popular musicals of all time, but also one of the most thematically rich and meaningful. Sure, you can have fun watching plenty of musicals, but how many can you experience that takes you back into history and force you to process the oppression of the Jewish people in Russia? Combine these meaningful themes with a deeply rich story about family and tradition and you have a wonderful film. But do not stop there! Throw in some of the greatest songs in musicals including “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition,” “Matchmaker,” and “To Life,” and you have an amazing film in your heads. Sit back… relax… and spend the next three hours with Chaim Topol and the rest of this wonderful cast. (Shane Conto)
I didn’t see Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’ 1961 film, West Side Story, until about a year ago, but after hearing about Steven Spielberg’s upcoming remake, I decided to watch it. After doing so, I couldn’t believe it took me so long. As a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the story follows Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer) who fall in love, but are kept apart, due to the friction between their communities. The performances are all iconic, particularly that of Rita Moreno, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for portraying Anita, Maria’s protective best friend. As for the dance sequences, they couldn’t be better, especially the nearly 10-minute, wordless opening sequence that introduces us to the rivalry between the Jets and Sharks, a scene that gives us a deep insight into who these gangs are. And, with songs like, “Something’s Coming,” “America,” “Tonight,” and “Somewhere,” you have a movie musical unlike any other that’s impossible to resist. This is classic Hollywood cinema at its finest, and the joy that this film provides remains unparalleled. (Vincent Abbatecola)
Julie Andrews is musical royalty. You can quibble if you want over which bonafide classic is marginally better, but luckily for us, only one qualifies for this particular list. Everybody knows The Sound of Music, this 1960s Rodgers and Hammerstein epic about a nun (Andrews) who leaves an Austrian convent to become the new governess for the children of a naval officer (Christopher Plummer). Our lead duo offers powerhouse and charismatic performances. When it comes to the music, even off the top of your head, you can probably name a few of its songs, like “Sound of Music,” “Do-Re-Mi,” or “My Favorite Things.” I rewatched this one recently and was reminded about the depth of the quality tunes, both original and folk songs, including “So Long, Farewell,” “Maria,” and “Edelweiss.” I’ve probably watched “The Lonely Goatherd” alone at least 10 times in the last couple of months. You’d be hard-pressed to find a musical that can match the depth and quality of this musical’s offerings. That’s probably why it was nominated for 10 Oscars and won five, including Best Picture. (Jake Bourgeois)
Dreamgirls
Remember Dreamgirls? I ‘member. It’s a movie that was on my list of shame for almost 15 years, but boy am I glad I fixed that mistake. Set in the 60s when African American boy and girl groups were on the precipice of taking over the popular music scene, Dreamgirls is the classic tale of love, deception, double deals, and heartbreak in the showbiz industry. Earner of eight Academy Award nominations, amazingly including three for Best Song!! Jennifer Hudson won for best supporting actress and put that loss to Fantasia firmly in the “You’re gonna love me” rear-view mirror. I can’t be the only one that felt robbed when Eddie lost to Alan Arkin. If Dreamgirls is on your list of shame, tick it off ASAP. If it isn’t on your list, add it now! (Adam Ritchie)
Rent
I am not a great lover of musicals, on stage or the big screen. In fact, I usually avoid them. Admittedly, that is not the best way to open an entry on a list of Best Ever Film Adaptations of Stage Musicals. However, it will help you to understand just how much I adore Jonathan Larson’s Rent. Loosely based on Puccini’s La Boheme, Rent shares the story of a group of artists attempting to navigate their way through the challenges of an uncaring 1980s New York, with the cloud of the HIV/AIDS crisis firmly placed in the foreground. The heart of this movie, and why I adore it, is in its portrayal of relationships. More to the point, it portrays a variety of relationships, and their natural progression is handled with care, whether they end in friendship, love, anger, or, tragically, death. Rent reminds us that there is far more to life than paying bills, and if we forget that, we are in danger of losing our passions, and the small joys that make life worth the work we do to pay said bills. The musical numbers are fantastic, managing to respect their subject matter while swinging from the whimsical and catchy, to the heart-breakingly poignant. As a man who doesn’t like musicals, please watch this musical. With that, I conclude my thoughts on Rent in 525,600 words or less. (Ian Whittington)
Mamma Mia!
This movie is often remembered for Pierce Brosnan singing and wrongfully so. Mamma Mia! has a number of bangers attached to it that are not sung by Mr. Bond. According to the soundtrack, 17 of them do not have Brosnon at all. So let’s focus on the good shall we? The movie, based on the 1999 stage play… based on the 1975 ABBA song, brings out some truly great performances from all involved. Amanda Seyfried plays a young woman who convinces her mother’s past flames to travel to a small Greek island to attend her wedding in the hopes of finding her real father. Hilarity ensues. Not exactly, but you get the idea. Meryl Streep then spends the rest of the movie rekindling her past romances to figure out if she made a mistake in letting any of the men walk out of her life. The chemistry is strong between everyone, which makes the songs really pop when they sing to each other. Notable stand out performances for this theater-loving writer include “Lay All Your Love on Me” and “Super Trouper.” But what Mamma Mia! does particularly well is add layers of fun imagery to the ear worms. For example, take the lineup of muscular men dancing in flip flops and goggles, or as Merryl Streep sings the titular song, wrestling with her heart and brain about whether or not she should open up old relationships with her three prospective baby daddies. As far as jukebox musicals go, this is a must-see. (Scott Batchelor)
Les Misérables
On learning that this week’s BEC was Best Musical Stage Adaptations, I couldn’t stop the struggle in my brain. By the criteria of the week, I have to argue that Les Misérables is the best adaptation, in that it’s a great adaptation, so much so that it’s to its detriment. I have seen the Les Mis production at least four times, and so when they announced the film, I was quite excited. Tom Hooper took what was on stage and recreated it with incredible detail. The costuming and set design are top notch. The musical score is as brilliant as it was from the pit of the theater, maybe even fuller due to mixing and surround sound. The big caveat to this epic recreation is the singing. Not just of some of the singing, but the incredibly misguided idea of recording live with no music to play off of. I don’t have the word count necessary to explain why and how this was a bad idea. I will simply ask you to check out a video on Youtube by the creator Sideways — it’s an excellent deep dive. The acting is good, though, and some of them do give outstanding performances. This film is a conflict for me because I love the source material, and the film is better than people give it credit for, but it also deserves all the slams for the creative choices that were miserable in reality. (Evan Lucken)
The Wiz
“Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.” That’s right, you’re in 1970s Harlem. Sidney Lumet brought The Wiz, the beloved adaption of The Wizard of Oz with his own spin, to life. It stars Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Ted Ross, and Nipsey Russell as Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Tinman, with original songs by the great Quincy Jones. We see the vibrant, soulful, and bright journey to Oz, which resembles the dream land of New York City, as we join the group, easing their way down the road to see the powerful Wiz. The story is the same, but you have the vibrant colors, soulful tunes, and you can’t forget about Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the West, and her flying monkeys (which resembles a biker gang), who wants Dorothy’s ruby slippers. With this stellar cast, groovy tunes, and amazing performances (by Ross, Jackson, Ross and Russell), you’ll want to ease on down, ease on down the road. (Chantal Ashford)
Into the Woods
Sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh and be stuck with some ear worms for a while. An all-star charming cast make Into the Woods beyond fun. Anna Kendrick is always a welcome voice and delivers some wonderful vocals. It’s really hard not to enjoy any one of the performances here, especially Emily Blunt and James Corden playing off each other magically in a way that is just plain fun. And that’s about the best way to describe watching this film: fun! Chris Pine is charming as always and Meryl Streep brings so much power to The Witch. With more space, I could go on and on about the performances. However, just do yourself a favor and sit down and take in the wonderful musical that is Into the Woods.
Also See: Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, Grease, The Producers, Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar, The King and I, The Music Man, Oklahoma, The Phantom of the Opera, Rock of Ages
Hamilton
Frank From The Future here to talk about the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. This movie blows me every time I watch it. As you will find out, this movie adaptation is hailed as one of the most accurate Broadway musical adaptations of all time. It was only fitting that Miranda made this his follow-up film after Netflix’s 2021 tick, tick…Boom! With Roger Deakins working the camera, they successfully pulled off rather complicated one take scenes for each song, securing HAMILTON’s unprecedented Oscar haul of going 12-for-12. This film truly is a masterclass of musical adaptations for the big screen.
A Note from SiftPop: Frank recently discovered day drinking and is working through some things. (Frank Kemp)
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