WEST PLAINS, Mo. – A retrospective of some of the most beloved movie musicals of all time will make up this year’s “That’s Entertainment” film series hosted by the Missouri State University-West Plains’ University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department during the month of February.
This is the 13th year for this free, weekly event, organizers said, adding the films will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evenings in the West Plains Civic Center theater.
“There seems to be a renewed interest by Hollywood in movie musicals in recent years, with such successful feature productions of Broadway hits like ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘Chicago,’ ‘Rent’ and the upcoming release of ‘Rock of Ages’ starring Tom Cruise. Members of the Film Series Committee thought it might be nice to take a look back at the golden age of musicals and explore how it all began,” explained U/CP Theater and Events Coordinator Deborah DeWitt. “In addition, none of the films are rated R, so they will provide great entertainment for the family!”
The series begins Feb. 2 with the showing of the Academy Award-nominated film “Singin’ in the Rain.” Released in 1952, the movie stars Hollywood musical legends Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds in a comedy about the movie industry as it transitioned from silent films to “talkies” in the late 1920s. Kelly and Stanley Donen co-directed the film, and Kelly choreographed this American classic. Although it was not a big hit when first released, “Singin’ in the Rain” is now described as one of the best movie musicals ever made and is among the top 10 movies of all time as rated by the American Film Institute. It is rated G.
The series continues Feb. 9 with the 1961 screen adaptation of the Broadway hit “West Side Story.” This Oscar-winning adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet pits two warring street gangs – the Jets led by Riff (Russ Tamblyn) and the Sharks led by Bernado (George Chakiris) – as the warring families, whose hatred escalates to tragic consequences for young lovers Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood). The film won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, in 1961, and was directed by famed Broadway choreographer Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. The film is rated PG for stylized gang violence, mild language, brief innuendo and some smoking.
On Feb. 16, “The King and I” takes center stage. This 1956 film adaptation of the Broadway musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II tells the story of Anna Leonowens, who was hired by the King of Siam (Thailand) to teach English to his children in the 1860s. The screenplay by Ernest Lehman is based on the book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon, which, in turn, is based on Leonowens’ own memoirs of the time. The film won five Oscars, including Best Actor honors for Yul Brynner as King Mongkut and Best Costume Design, as well as Golden Globe awards for Best Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy and Best Actress for Deborah Kerr as Anna. The film is rated G.
The series will end Feb. 23 with the showing of “Grease: The Rockin’ Rydell Version.” Beloved by audiences of all ages, this high-energy Broadway musical adaptation from 1978 follows the romance of innocent foreign exchange student Sandy Olsen (Olivia Newton-John) and bad-boy greaser Danny Zuko (John Travolta) at Rydell High in 1950s California. This version is the sing-a-long version, DeWitt said, and those attending are encouraged to do just that during the showing, as well as wear their favorite 50s outfit. The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content including references, teen smoking and drinking, and language.
Each film showing will be followed with a discussion session facilitated by a Missouri State-West Plains faculty member or an expert in the musical/dance/theater genre.
For more information about the annual film series, call the U/CP Department office at 417-255-7966.