The Halcyonite

by: Lola D.M. (Grade 11)

According to Britannica, a movie musical is defined as, “[a] motion picture consisting of a plot integrating musical numbers.” The first musical film, which also introduced the Sound Era of motion pictures, was The Jazz Singer (1927), starring Al Johnson. Since then, musicals have significantly evolved. From Busby Berkeley’s imaginative productions in the 1930s; to mid-1930s singing and dancing pairs, such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; to the adaptation of Broadway hits which began in the mid-1950s; to a general popularity decline in the 1960s-70s; to the music-itself-inspired productions starting in the late-1970s; and to the 21st century rejuvenation of darker musicals, biopics, remakes, and comedies.

So, the Halcyonite sent out a survey to all Halcyon students, asking them to rate 40+ movie-musicals (all live-action, so not including solely animated films) from 1 to 10 – 1 being the worst film ever made, and 10 being the best.

Fun fact: The most watched film was Fiddler on the Roof (1971)!

Ma chère mademoiselle. It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite to relax, let us pull up a chair, as the dining room proudly presents… your Top 10 Movie-Musicals.

10. Les Misérables (2012)

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Misérables is set 19th century, post-revolutionary France, where Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) has been a prisoner for nineteen years, and is finally freed by Javert (Russell Crowe), the officer in charge of the prison workforce. Valjean breaks parole to create a new life for himself, using money from stolen silver to reinvent himself as a mayor and factory owner, but Javert vows to bring him back to prison. Valjean eventually becomes the guardian of a child named Cosette (Isabelle Allen/Amanda Seyfried) once her mother, Fantine (Anne Hathaway), dies. But Javert’s relentless pursuit means peace will be a long time coming.

Halcyon Rating: 7.47

PG-Rating: PG-13

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9. Chicago (2002)

1920s, Chicago: Nightclub sensation Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) murders her philandering husband, and Chicago’s slickest lawyer, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), will defend her. But when Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) also winds up in prison, Billy takes on her case, placing her into a media circus of headlines. On death row together, the girls develop a rivalry for fame and celebrity, in the hope that it will keep them from their fate. 

Halcyon Rating: 7.5

PG-Rating: PG-13

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8. Beauty and the Beast (2017)

An arrogant prince (Dan Stevens) is cursed to live as a terrifying beast until he finds true love. Strangely, his chance comes when he captures a clockmaker (Kevin Kline), whose place is then taken by his bold and beautiful daughter, Belle (Emma Watson). Helped by the Beast’s enchanted servants, including a clock (Ian McKellen), a teapot (Emma Thompson), and a candelabra (Ewan McGregor), Belle begins to see the sensitive soul behind the fearsome facade. With time running out, it becomes obvious that Belle’s cocky suitor, Gaston (Luke Evans), is the real beast. 

Halcyon Rating: 7.68

PG-Rating: PG

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7. Mamma Mia (2008)

Based on the music of 1974 Eurovision winning band ABBA… Independent hotelier on the Greek island of Kalokairi, Donna (Meryl Streep), is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends (Julie Walters, and Christine Baranski). Meanwhile, bride-to-be Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) has a plan. She has secretly invited three men from her mother’s past (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård), in hopes of meeting her real father, and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day. 

Halcyon Rating: 7.78

PG-Rating: PG-13

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6. Mary Poppins (1964)

London, 1910: Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber), the children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family, are faced with the prospect of a new nanny. They are pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the magical Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), with whom they embark on a fantastical series of adventures, joined by her Cockney performer friend, Bert (Dick Van Dyke). Slowly, the siblings attempt to pass on their nanny’s sunny attitude to their preoccupied parents (David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns). Will Mary Poppins manage to turn chaos into order?

Halcyon Rating: 8.10

PG-Rating: U

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5. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

A biopic about the legendary Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) – the lead singer of the band Queen – who defied stereotypes and conventions to become one of history’s most beloved entertainers. The band’s revolutionary sound and popular songs led to Queen’s meteoric rise in the 1970s. After leaving the group to pursue a solo career, Mercury reunites with Queen for the charity concert Live Aid – resulting in one of the greatest performances in rock ‘n’ roll history. 

Halcyon Rating: 8.11

PG-Rating: PG-13

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4. Grease (1978)

California, 1958: greaser Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and goody-two-shoes Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) are in love. With the summer coming to an end, neither knew that they would both be attending Rydell High. Danny’s the leader of the black leather jacket T-Birds, while Sandy hangs with the Pink Ladies led by Rizzo (Stockard Channing). Danny and Sandy clash at a pep rally, because Danny isn’t the same Danny from the beach. What follows is a year of friendships, romances, and adventures – will their relationship cross clique lines?

Halcyon Rating: 8.15

PG-Rating: PG

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3. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

An adaptation of the Broadway musical about life within the Jewish community of pre-revolutionary Russian village, Anatevka. A poor, Jewish milkman, Tevye (Chaim Topol), is determined to find good husbands for his five daughters. He consults the local, traditional matchmaker, Yente (Molly Picon), and also has a word with God. However, growing anti-Semitism threatens the village. 

Halcyon Rating: 8.21

PG-Rating: U

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2. Hamilton (2020)

A recording of the original Broadway production at the Richard Rogers Theater in New York, which tells the story of Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda) – one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and first Secretary of the Treasury – through a blend of hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway-musical. 

Halcyon Rating: 8.33

PG-Rating: 12

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1. The Sound of Music (1965)

A heartwarming musical, based on the true story of the von Trapp Family singers: one of the world’s best-known concert groups in pre-World War II. Maria (Julie Andrews), the tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who is failing at being a nun, becomes governess in the home of widowed naval captain Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), who has seven children. As Austria starts coming under German control, Maria brings a new love of life and music into the home.

Halcyon Rating: 8.78

PG-Rating: U

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Do you agree with the rankings? Do you have a favourite movie-musical? Leave a comment below!