Musicals.

[Roger Kettle]

Because of a traumatic experience when I was about seven, I've never liked musicals. My sister took me to see "West Side Story" with the promise that it was all about gangs and fighting. Well, of course, there WAS fighting in it---she just neglected to tell me that it took place during a spirited rendering of the Hokey-Cokey. She sold me much the same tale with "South Pacific" (an all action war film, she assured me). I then sat for two hours, watching a woman try to wash that man right out of her hair. "The Sound Of Music" is the direst film ever made (I care not one jot if the word "direst" exists) and I would happily have slapped Mary Poppins till my palm bled.
And don't get me started on going to see a Clint Eastwood Western called "Paint Your Wagon"...

[Vulture]

I agree with everything you say, Roger. How someone can keep a straight face while someone else (probably with halitosis) sings right in your face......?! 

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I'm appalled!

As one who has made the pilgrimage to Salzburg and trod the same all-singing, all dancing footsteps as the Von Trapp family in any number of locations of that simply stunning city and its environs, I'm totally stunned that anyone has a single bad word to say about the epic war adventure with musical subtext that is The Sound Of Music.

Okay, so the Austrians will tell you how much they loathe the film (as will Christopher Plummer), whilst sniggering into their schnitzels as they point out that the Holywood Von Trapps were in fact heading the wrong way across the mountain tops at the end of the film, straight into Nazi-held territory, but the musical score is second to none, and the sainted Julie is totally convincing as nun-turned-nanny, Maria.

It's a classic. I bought the DVD from Sainsbury's two years ago for a fiver at the check-out, complete with sing-along options, and I've even watched the version with commentary throughout by Saint Julie, Plummer (who almost manages to disguise his loathing but not quite) and director, Robert Wise. The production values were immense - which other film would have taken the trouble to find so many Austrian child actors with good American accents, hmm? I won't hear a bad word!

I love musicals - Calamity Jane, My Fair Lady, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, The Little Mermaid... I bought Singin' In The Rain last year and forced the kids to watch it. They weren't keen at first, but once Donald O'Conner ran up those walls singing 'Make 'Em Laugh', they were transfixed.

I despair at your attempts to be obscenely controversial at times, Roger. I mean, The Muppet Christmas Carol...are you kidding me.....? Awesome!

[peter]

You have got them going now.

[Vulture]

I'm appalled!

As one who has made the pilgrimage to Salzburg and trod the same all-singing, all dancing footsteps as the Von Trapp family in any number of locations of that simply stunning city and its environs, I'm totally stunned that anyone has a single bad word to say about the epic war adventure with musical subtext that is The Sound Of Music.

Okay, so the Austrians will tell you how much they loathe the film (as will Christopher Plummer), whilst sniggering into their schnitzels as they point out that the Holywood Von Trapps were in fact heading the wrong way across the mountain tops at the end of the film, straight into Nazi-held territory, but the musical score is second to none, and the sainted Julie is totally convincing as nun-turned-nanny, Maria.

It's a classic. I bought the DVD from Sainsbury's two years ago for a fiver at the check-out, complete with sing-along options, and I've even watched the version with commentary throughout by Saint Julie, Plummer (who almost manages to disguise his loathing but not quite) and director, Robert Wise. The production values were immense - which other film would have taken the trouble to find so many Austrian child actors with good American accents, hmm? I won't hear a bad word!

I love musicals - Calamity Jane, My Fair Lady, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, The Little Mermaid... I bought Singin' In The Rain last year and forced the kids to watch it. They weren't keen at first, but once Donald O'Conner ran up those walls singing 'Make 'Em Laugh', they were transfixed.

I despair at your attempts to be obscenely controversial at times, Roger. I mean, The Muppet Christmas Carol...are you kidding me.....? Awesome!

I've ALWAYS had my doubts about you, Tarks. You've just confirmed every one of them!

[peter]

Is Peepmaster ill he is usually the first in the fray

[Tom]

So Mamma Mia's out of the question then?

[Joan]

Not so keen on the films, but enjoy live musicals.  Daughter loves both.

Isn't Stuttgart wonderful, TT.  I spent a great month there in the summer of 1974 on a course at the university, which was run by the local students - spent most of the time partying.    Did visit the SoM settings when I did the tours in 1980.

[Malc]

I love musicals too, I was in the choir when we rehearsed The Sound Of Music for two solid months for the end of year show, and never missed a night's practice. I was Judas in the school rendering of Jesus Christ Superstar, I still get all caught up in the politics of why Julie Andrews was left out when casting My Fair Lady, even though she was a huge hit in the stage version. I love the Ascot scene, and On The Street Where You Live was just as much part of the soundtrack of my young life as The Who (who I saw last week in Brisbane, by the way).

I love musicals and I love people who take the p*ss out of musicals. I especially love bad musicals, and think that Rocky Horror is brilliant because it engages the audience on a totally geek level.
I love amateur musicals, and still have happy memories of attending Showboat at Buxton Opera House with Jen (a friend) whose mum was in the chorus. The guy who was singing Old Man River was blacked up for the part but wasn't quite a baritone and couldn't get low enough for the "O-O-O-O-LD man river...", so he just growled it like a dog.

I still get teary when Colm Wilkinson sings "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables, and Stubby Kaye is a tour de force in Guys and Dolls, belting out I Gotta Horse Right Here in the opening three hander.

Don't like musicals? Why I oughta..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFbsZu7ZN7A

[Diane CBPFC]

I always figured Judas got a bad rap.

[Malc]

...but a good part. It's the plum role in JCS.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Isn't Stuttgart wonderful, TT. 

I hope you meant Salzburg, Joan - I don't think Georg Von Trapp would have been seen dead singing in Stuttgart. 

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I always figured Judas got a bad rap.

Rather spookily, I was saying exactly that same thing just a couple of days ago, and not in connection with anything to do with this thread. Malcolm's right - the Judas role on JC Superstar is the real scene-stealer. Another fantastic musical, although I believe it classifies itself as more of a rock opera.

My better half took me to the Greenbelt Christian Festival and Cheltenham Race Course (  ) a few years back - at the heart of the festivities was a giant marquee where you could purchase almost anything you can imagine to do with Christianity. Over the entrance to the marquee was a very professionally produced banner, informing you that you were about to enter 'Jesus Christ, Superstore'. I kid you not!

I probably was one of many that weekend who momentarily toyed with the idea of racing in and upturning all of the tables in a blind fury. But we bought a book instead.

[Joan]

Isn't Stuttgart wonderful, TT. 

I hope you meant Salzburg, Joan - I don't think Georg Von Trapp would have been seen dead singing in Stuttgart. 

OMG!  How did I make that mistake? Could have been something to do with having just had to help hubby put an oven door back together -  never take one apart if you want to keep your sanity - I obviously was not functioning properly, or at least my brain wasn't.

Salzburg is wonderful, and I thought Stuttgart was pretty wonderful too, though for different reasons, obviously - the football World Cup was on at the time - not that I went to any  of the matches, just the celebrations afterwards!  Might have if Scotland was playing there.  Funnily enough, Australia actually played in Stuttgart in 1974.  That was the last time they qualified before 2006.  Germans are some of the most hospitable people on earth.  We had all sorts of outings and events organised for us - organised being the operative word, but great fun.

[Zesty White]

I agree with Roger on musicals, with the exception of Singin in the Rain - I agree with Tarks on that one.

My feelings now known, I shall withdraw.