CHEWER'S 250 GREATEST MUSICAL NUMBERS IN CINEMATIC HISTORY

2. Singin' In The Rain "Broadway Melody" (1953)

 

 

Really, there's no competition. This 12 minute tour de force of hoofer invention created by Gene Kelly with Stanley Donen is the Sistine Chapel of cinema musical numbers. It is perfect in every conceivable fashion. It stirs the soul & moves your feet, it makes you laugh & swell with joy, & it has the power to make grown men cry with awe at the beauty of it's ballet. Gene Kelly was a genius.

 

"Broadway Melody" is the top.

 

At age 17, I was lucky enough to see Singin' In The Rain for my very first time on the big screen. I went in pretty blind & and was floored by how funny it was. But I was completely unprepared when this number unfolded before me. It was utterly transcendent in a way that I hadn't felt since seeing the Star Wars OT in the theater. The ballet in particular really hit me. Back in 1994, I was a goth-y nihilistic grunge kid & I actually cried during it. It was simply one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen.

Edited by Art Decade - 6/3/12 at 5:43pm

3. History of the World Part 1

 I posted this because it was the first thing that came to mind, and its really funny.

Edited by Chaz - 6/3/12 at 7:02pm

4.  U.S.O. dance sequence - "1941"  (1979)

 

I think this qualifies as the band actually appears in this sequence playing a John Williams mash-up of Benny Goodman while two G.I.'s fight over the same girl.  It's a masterpiece of fight and dance choreography brilliantly timed to the song.  This is one of several sequences in Spielberg's canon that proves that he desperately needs to do a full-blown musical before he shuffles off.  

 

5.  THE MUSIC MAN - 'Trouble'

 

The film is full of great and memorable musical numbers, but I think that this one is the most important.  It sets up the plot and reveals who, exactly, the Henry Hill character is and how he's gonna try and fleece the town.  It's essential to the plot AND is memorable/singable of its own accord.  Great fun.

 

6. Singin' In The Rain, "Singin' In The Rain"

 

I could just list numbers from this film...and I probably will. "Broadway Melody" is the climax, but the list is incomplete without this:

 

 

The pull-in on a smiling Gene Kelly as he sings "there's a smile on my face" is one of the most indelible images in screen history, in the greatest musical of all time.

7.  SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - 'Make 'em Laugh'

 

For me, this is the heart and soul of the film.  Donald O'Connor gives his all in this scene, exhausting himself physically to deliver the goods.  It's a true tour-de-force of singing and dancing that is truly amazing to watch. 

 

8.  YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - 'Puttin' on the Ritz'

 

It's so completely unexpected.  The lights go out, and then there's Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle in tuxes, posed like 'men about town'.  What the fuck????  And then they start singing and dancing.  It's funny, but then Peter Boyle 'sings' the chorus and takes it to the next level.  It's an gem of a moment in one of the best comedies of all time, and it's one of the most memorable scenes.

 

9. Once, "Falling Slowly"

 

Once is a great musical, in part, because it shows the almost spiritual nature of artistic collaboration. That's what makes this sequence so unforgettable, taking a wonderful song and elevating its creation into something mystical:

 

ONCE is one of the single best films of the past ten years.  LOVE that film to death.  Excellent choice.

10. Spinal Tap Stonehenge The song perfectly spoofs heavy metal songs about fantasy and the occult. It has good dynamics and it rocks!

I'm gonna run out of rep in about thirty seconds, so apologies to all of you who are posting great stuff.  I promise I will play every one of these videos at least once.

 

 

When the miniature Stonehenge drops and then the little people start dancing around it might be the funniest thing I've ever seen.  Such a perfectly played gag.

12. Gremlins 2: The New Batch - New York, New York

 

If Gremlins 2 is a movie where Joe Dante is allowed to go completely crazy, then having thousands of Gremlins perform a Busby Berkeley-esque musical number is him jumping off the deep end never to return again. It's pure cartoonish mayhem at its finest and the closest we're ever get to seeing Chuck Jones in live action. It's the craziest and funniest sequence of all Gremlins 2, a movie that ends with Robert Pacardo about to be raped by a sexy puppet monster.

 

13. The Fisher King "Grand Central Waltz" (1991)

 

 

While not an orthodox musical number, it certainly mines the tradition for effect in this wondrous interlude. Gorgeous, moving, & just plain ballsy, this scene is the centerpiece of this underrated near-classic.

 

Here it be: (Click to show)

 

Haha...for a second there, I thought "Wait! There's no musical number in Quintet! Shenanigans!"

 

15. Minnie the Moocher, from the Blues Brothers, Dir. John Landis, 1980

It's hard to pick just one from this picture (I almost went with Rawhide, just 'cause, you know, Rawhide), but truly nothing matches this number from the big finish to one of the best modern musicals. The immortal and ever-cool Cab Calloway kills it, and of course, what a band.

Couldn't find the clip online, but here's Cab anyway.

17. Pretty In Pink "Try A Little Tenderness" (1986)

 

 

In recent years, there's been a retcon of sorts that suggests that Ducky is & always has been a gay character. Bullshit (not that there's anything wrong with that). Here, Ducky does what every lovesick kid wishes they had the balls to do: he goes all out - with style, charm, & heart fully exposed - to impress the girl.

 

In the end, Molly picked the wrong horse. Seriously, what kind of fucking name is "Blaine", anyway??

 

Here it be: (Click to show)

18. Moving Right Along, The Muppet Movie, 1979

This includes the priceless fork in the road gag, what more can you ask for? A bear in his natural habitat... a Studebaker. Plus Big Bird. My choice would have been Can U Picture this, by Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, but this has Fozzie.

It was an Entertainment Weekly story where Molly Ringwald said she thought Ducky was gay. I think she just didn't want to admit her character was a gold digger. Ducky would have never dumped her because of what some tool thought. Don't forget it was Ducky that dropped James Spader's character like a bad habit. As you can tell I'm not a fan of that movie.

You just Britta'd this thread. You're the worst.

I hate myself for not putting a Blues Brothers number first.  But I can put one second. 

 

19. The Blues Brothers- The Old Landmark

 

It's hard to choose between Ray Charles and James Brown.  In truth I like Ray's number better... the dancing in the streets of Chicago puts it over the top.  But I am picking this one because of the little interlude midway through, which is my favorite moment in the movie.  It works as a joke about religious epiphany, but it actually inspires me every time I see it.  And then John Belushi starts flipping down the church aisle and it's perfection.

 

Hmm do I go with the classic or the comedy?

I do the comedy for now.

20. "Every Sperm is Sarcred" - Monty Python's Meaning of Life

Not only is it a great sendup of the Catholic Church's stance on birth control, it is also a satire on the musical number itself. The idea that people would randomly break into song during everyday life and have the town join in is perhaps the most surreal cinematic trope that audiences rarely ever question and the Meaning of Life is all about questioning the things we take for granted. So the Pythons decided to tackle this cinematic cliché and created one of the most elaborate and absurd musical numbers in the history of cinema and did it so well that most people don't get the joke past the jab at the Catholic Church.

It, the Mr. Creosote sketch, and the Crimson Permanent Assurance are the reasons why you should see this film.

I'm such a Community fan, I'm gonna take that as a compliment.

21. The Hunger "Bela Lugosi's Dead" (1983)

 

Bauhaus. Bowie. Catherine Deneuve. The first couple minutes of Tony Scott's debut film have always floored me with it's flawlessly stylized electric 80s cool.

 

Here it be: (Click to show)

22. I Will Survive, Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Out in the middle of the Outback the lads(?) put on a show for a bunch of appreciative Aboriginals. Funny, sweet and, oh, what costumes. This movie rocked me when it first came out, and continues to do so now. Terrence Stamp in drag? How did that man not win an Oscar for this?

23. Blue Velvet - In Dreams

 

What can be said, really? Hopper slowly freaking out, Stockwell lip-syncing and everyone else just standing there. It might be the most haunting and dreamlike of all Lynch's work. Roy Orbison will never be the same.

 

24.   "Tonight is What It Means To Be Young"  - Streets of Fire (1984)

 

Going out on a limb here, because this film is divisive to say the least.  It's a somewhat entertaining film redeemed by a fantastic soundtrack, and this barn-burning song at the climax is a perfect example.  Ellen Aim has just given up the love of her life, surly asshole Tom Cody, for a life of rock star immortality and sings this song as Cody rides off into the distance for more adventures.  A perfect example of 80's bombast used effectively.   

 

25. The Rocky Horror Picture Show The Floor show. In my opinion this is the musical highlight of the soundtrack. It has a great vide of rock n roll meets a twisted version of old Hollywood.

26. "Life During Wartime" - Stop Making Sense

 

I could have picked several numbers from this movie, the ultimate concert film. David Byrne runs in place, sings, dances, and is just so alive during this number. I challenge anyone not to feel the urge to get up, dance, and run around during this number. This is what it is to be alive.

 

 

 

Dude, I was JUST writing this up!

 

You ARE the worst:)

27. ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING - 'Babysitter Blues'

 

It's a great movie, but this scene...I wasn't expecting it.  The way it builds with Albert Collins leading Elizabeth Shue along is pure magic.  

 

Da DUH da da dum...

 

28. Jackass 2 - "The Best of Times"

 

You're damn right it should be on here. The best movie of the three also has the best ending. Knoxville reluctantly grabbing the hat and cane after just removing his hand from a bear trap is the perfect way to start the whole thing. Wish I could find better video.

 

29. Tommy "Pinball Wizard" (1975)

 

 

The centrepiece of Ken Russell's nutty classic is the perfect measure of his trademark bizarro & The Who's stage craft. Elton John kills it and the whole thing is a glorious snapshot of a bygone era too weird to seemingly have existed.

 

Here it be: (Click to show)

29. Little Shop of Horrors Big Green Mother from Outer Space. I wish I could write a Lester Bangs like review of why this tune should be on the list, but all I have is: its fucking awesome!

31.  CROSSROADS - The Guitar Duel

 

The climax of the film, a battle between Steve Vai and Ralph Macchio (who does a fairly decent job of making it look like he's actually playing guitar).  The stakes are high and the musicianship is worthy of the souls that are at risk.

 

Shred away...

 

32.  O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? - 'A Man of Constant Sorrow'.

 

Now, the song is great.  On it's own, it stands tall as a legitimately great song.  What makes this performance so great is the way that the three leads PLAY it.  It's all in the mannerisms and facial expressions.  It's just damned FUN.

 

double post

33. Let's Misbehave, Pennies From Heaven

A revelation, Christopher Walken softshoes up a storm for a dewey-eyed Bernadette Peters. A great tune made greater.

34. Rocky Horror Picture Show "Sweet Transvestite" (1975)

 

 

While "The Floor Show" gets the edge overall, Tim Curry's godlike showstopper is, in many ways, the centerpiece of the film. Here, we're privy to witnessing a great actor in the perfect role at the height of his power rule the world over the course of a 3 minute tune.

 

Here it be: (Click to show)

35. "Shock Treatment" - Shock Treatment (1981)

I don't understand the hate for this musical, which is a sendup of reality TV, written by Richard O'Brien as sequel to Rocky Horror Picture Show. Though I can't say I've ever been a RHPS fanatic. I can understand the regrettable absence of the original cast, Tim Curry hurting the most, but Shock Treatment has Jessica Harper and Barry Humphries. Not to mention exquisite set design and music that I find gives me more of a earworm than RHPS. Just watch this title musical number and teel me if you are not tempted to see the entire film.

36.  BLACK RAIN - 'What'd I Say?'

 

Charlie and Mas sing Karaoke.  It's a great character moment for the two, building up the growing friendship and bond between the two characters.  It may seem like a throwaway scene, but it's essential for driving the motivation of the climax of the film: Mas wouldn't help Nick without the bond with Charlie.  Is the singing great?  No, but it's perfect for the scene.

 

37. The Nightmare Before Christmas - "This is Halloween"

 

Elfman and Burton perfectly set the stage and tone for everything to come in what is my favorite of his films (after Ed Wood).