Musicals—5

So far we’ve looked at musicals from Cocoanuts in 1929 to Swing Time in 1936. Let’s move on to the 40s and see what seems to appeal to the musical audiences.

And what happened in the 40s? World War II. And with the war, movies changed. They portrayed stories about the war, about soldiers leaving home, and heartfelt stories about families. Gay, carefree musicals didn’t go over as big. One musical, though, that won people over, was Yankee Doodle Dandy [1942] by Robert Buckner and Edmund Joseph.

Telling the life story of phenomenal Broadway actor, writer, and composer George M. Cohan, filming for the movie began on December 8, 1941. The nation was, of course, reeling from the bombing of Pearl Harbor the day before. The cast and crew seemed to think it momentous that they were making this patriotic film at this time and everyone went all out to make it the best ever. And, nominated for eight Academy Awards, and winning three, including a win for its star, James Cagney, they did a pretty good job.

Take a look at the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9hW0Evk2jA. Isn’t it something? You can just feel the energy pulsating in those songs. And this may be a James Cagney that, if you only know him from his later gangster pics, you haven’t seen before. Interestingly, Cagney had been accused of being a Communist and took the role because it was SO patriotic [Fred Astaire had turned the role down] and Cagney hoped to offset those rumors that he was a Communist.

Another musical from the 40s was the incredibly popular Meet Me in St. Louis [1944] by Irving Brecher and Fred Finklehoffe. Unlike the patriotic Yankee Doodle Dandy, Meet Me in St. Louis was pure escapism. And how do you have escapism when your sons, husbands and brothers are off fighting a war in Europe? You set the film in the past.

The 1904 World’s Fair, held in St. Louis, was the backdrop for this popular film. This clip—which is of The Trolley Song, will give you an idea of the feel of this hit. At this point in the film the main character, portrayed by Judy Garland, was hoping to meet a boy she liked on the trolley, but it looks like he’s not going to show: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=OL3EIVwZ60w.

Meet Me in St. Louis takes us back to a simpler time—a lot simpler than the war that the viewers in 1944 were living through. It tells a story of two sisters who are interested in marriage but have to abide by the conventions of their time and kind of wait to be pursued… but are always, of course, plotting to get the particular boy they’re interested in getting.

The common theme of both Yankee Doodle Dandy and Meet Me in St. Louis? It’s energy. In spades. Both of these films were dripping with it. And given the war years they were living through, they needed uplifting films that were full of energy.

So ask yourself, what do we need now. What kind of musical would appeal to today’s audiences? Really give that some thought and factor it into your idea generating process!

Copyright © Diane Lake

25Aug19

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com