9. The King and I (1956)

The story of the King of Siam and Anna, his children’s governess, The King and I is one of the most engaging musicals, ever!  Anna (Deborah Kerr) and the King (Yul Brenner) are so incredible in these roles it’s hard to see anyone else in them. The relationship between the fiery monarch and his British nemesis is more like an irresistible force versus an immovable object than a personal relationship. His commanding presence and her respectful condescension, yet never quite bending to his will, is fascinating.

The King and I is a clever departure from the typical musical fare with bright costuming, exotic music and one of the best scores ever. Yul Brenner will forever be King Mongkut of Siam and Deborah Kerr his beautiful, charming foil.

10. Grease (1978)

Of course it has to be on the list, it’s Grease. John Travolta, Olivia Newton John and Stockard Channing, all geriatric teenagers, lead an all-star cast, of funny, charming and talented actors in a great musical tribute. Originally a great stage production, Grease stands as one of the most successful musicals of all time. The movie although “differently” cast, and tame compared to the 1971 original, manages to be funny, entertaining and a blast. You should take some time and listen to the original risque soundtrack, if you get a chance. It’s worth it.

The cast, a mixture of “A” and “B” list actors includes such famous comedic actors as Sid Caesar, Eve Arden, Didi Conn, Joan Blondell and Dody Goodman, all stars in their day, and at their best. There are few Heartthrobs: Frankie Avalon and Lorenzo Lamas, and a collection of “teenagers” bring fun and frivolity to a dynamite film. The score is legendary, the plot simple but great and story elements that make this one of America’s best.

11. Chicago (2002)

Based on the award winning Broadway musical and with some of the more prolific Hollywood stars: Richard Gere, Katherine Zeta Jones and Renee Zellweger. Chicago sprung on the screen with a bang, literally.

The film, centered in the prohibition, era focuses on Zellweger, a cold as ice heartless killer, sentenced to death and rightly so.  Successful for several reasons: the score is great, superlative acting by the entire cast and stunningly good performances by John C. Reilly and Richard Gere mark the film as one of the best. The exceptional cinematography tops the charts and adds a little cherry to the dark chocolate sundae that is Chicago.

12. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

There’s something pure and wonderful about Yankee Doodle Dandy. It’s just like America should be: full of music and joy! A great gangster, roughneck and tough guy in other films, James Cagney still manages to, single handedly, make this film one of the great musicals of all time. There’s something incredibly patriotic about Cagney’s portrayal of George M. Cohan and elevated an already sterling career.

The writer of such great songs as “Over There” and “It’s a Grand Old Flag,” and a star of both Vaudeville and Broadway, Cohan really is (and was) an American hero. Cagney’s performance honored Cohan as few actors could, and, provided Cohan with his only Oscar win. He more than deserved it! Cagney had to play a world class singer, dancer and actor and he did it in brilliant style.

One thing you cannot miss, if you’re a Movie Maniac like me, is Eddie Foy Jr. playing Eddie Foy Sr. from “Eddie Foy and The Seven Little Foys.” He’s great in the role, and the interplay between he and Cagney is legendary. It must be experienced to be believed. Check out the film, you will not be disappointed.

13. Moulin Rouge (2001)

There are moments in Moulin Rouge that were so chilling that I couldn’t take my eyes from the screen, Nicole Kidman so startlingly beautiful and delicate that my heart rose to my throat and Ewan McGregor so innocent and vulnerable that my heart ached. Even the music, though modern and distracting at times, manages to get a rise of emotions in me few films have done. Had the director been able to do that with original music Moulin Rouge would have been in the top ten, but as it stands it’s still one of the best ever.

14. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

An Oscar nominated film and only once was Judy Garland better, (that film is further up the list) Meet Me in St. Louis is one of the musicals I would consider the most fun. The score is great, the filming bright and cheery and all in all a must see film! There’s not a lot more to say, except: everyone that calls themselves a movie fanatic should have see this great movie. Shame on you if you have not.

15. Cabaret (1972)

I am not a great fan of Cabaret, it always seemed a little self important and over done to me, but objectively speaking the film is quite brilliant and starkly disturbing. Not one I would watch more than once, but I recommend you see it, if only to judge for yourself. It does have the amazing Liza Minnelli and the incomparable Joel Grey starring, which makes Cabaret number fifteen on my list!

16.  Oklahoma! (1955)

Yep I’m an old softy but I tend to think that good musicals are the ones we really love.  How can you not love Oklahoma!? It’s just darn good fun! With such great songs as “I’m just a girl who can’t say no” or “Surrey with the Fringe on the Top” and the title song “Oklahoma” this one definitely belongs on the list of the best ever. The score is great, the plot simple and fun and the characters are as memorable as any in film, musical or not.

Add a few great names (and singers) like Shirley Jones as Laurey, Gordon MacRae as Curly, fantastic character actors like James Whitmore as Mr. Carnes, Eddie Albert as Ali Hakim and one of the great villains of all, Rod Steiger, as Jud Fry and you have one of the most re-watchable films, ever!

17. The Little Mermaid (1989)

Well, maybe sometimes it is all about the music, but not with The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid brings to the screen one of the great fairy tales, made with love and attention to detail that’s almost impossible to believe. The characters are characteristically wonderful, particularly Ariel (Jodi Benson), Sebastion (Samuel E. Wright) and Ursula (Pat Carroll). Each of them brings emotion to their characters that rivals anything Disney has ever done.

Then there’s the music. The Little Mermaid has two of my top five songs from animated film: “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.” Both of them were rightly nominated for Oscars and both were sung brilliantly by Wright. Pardon the alliteration.  More importantly the story, the plot and yes the voice acting were all off the charts, phenomenal. I loved Beauty and the Beast but I found myself having more fun and getting more involved, with Ariel. Oh, and Pat Carroll was brilliant as the evil Ursula, one of Disney’s best villains.

18. The Music Man (1962)

There are great stories, great actors and great music, but they seldom all come together. When they do you get incredible results. The Music Man is definitely one of them. From the very first I was caught up in the flim flam of the incomparable Robert Preston. As Professor Harold Hill, the sometimes salesman, sometimes conman and sometimes band director he is nothing but a smooth talking miracle.

Shirley Jones on the other hand is the exact opposite. The quintessential school marm: repressed, scared of change and finally Harold Hill’s biggest defender. She is almost too good for the role and it shows, but opposite Preston she has to be! The chemistry between them is magic, and The Music Man is a “watch any time to cheer” up type film. Oops, I almost forgot the music. Music Man is certainly one of the best musicals but the music is almost secondary to the wonderful characters and great story. What stands out is 76 Trombones and You Got Trouble (Right Here in River City). If you can listen to those tunes with out tapping your foot, there’s something wrong with you. Oh, and check out little Ron Howard and his, almost to cute for words, lisp.